Ismael (Maelo) Reyes - Area Resource Conservationist

Maelo’s career encompasses many fields in natural resources conservation starting as a soil scientist in south Florida in 1988.

“Everything we have and do is based on the condition and availability of our natural resources. That makes our agency one of the most important agencies in our nation. That makes our clients and our people extremely needed and special.”

Dino Ricciardi - Agricultural Engineer

Dino’s skills were put to the test in the aftermath of the 2004-2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons. Hurricane Charley was the first of six major hurricanes that struck the Florida peninsula. The town of Punta Gorda, which is crisscrossed with canals, was virtually destroyed by Hurricane Charley. NRCS pulled 600 tons of debris from the waterways in Punta Gorda under authorization from the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Dino was the lead NRCS engineer on the project.