Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina Welcomes a Resort Naturalist to Its Recreation Team
Fort Myers Beach, FL (PRWEB) July 18, 2014 -- The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina has hired local Naturalist Vince McGrath and has begun offering its resort guests morning wildlife walking and kayaking expeditions to explore the eco-zones of the local marine environment. Guests are be able to observe numerous flora and fauna - from what’s under the sea to what lives on the shoreline, tide pools and upland habitats of the dunes. Vince, a lifetime birder from New England, is proud and excited to be the Resort Naturalist at Pink Shell Resort and Marina, Ft Myers Beach, Florida.
Vince began his career through some formal training with museum taxidermy skins and morning bird club trips. He has been actively working for 25+ years in the hospitality field as a gardener and Naturalist in Southwest Florida, as well as keeping up volunteer efforts with various wildlife organizations. Locally, this master naturalist participates with the Lee County Bird Patrol, C.R.O.W (Vince facilitated rescues and releases for over 25 years), the Audubon of Southwest Florida (president emeritus, newsletter editor for 5+ years, field trip and program coordinator) and the Caloosa Bird Club (past vice-president, program coordinator and field trip coordinator), of which he finds himself leading field trips for every now and then.
He has received certifications in:
• Florida Master Naturalist (University of Florida)
• Florida Certified Nursery Professional
• (Lee County Vo-Tech/Florida Nurseryman Growers Association)
• Hospitality Management Supervisor (eight class course offered by AMHA)
Vince is also available for “show-and-tell” sessions at the Pool Services area to answer guest questions regarding objects and creatures they have found while on the beach.
“Vince was very impressive yesterday describing the shells my girls picked up during our stay at Pink Shell. (We) really enjoyed talking with him!” one guest recently posted on Pink Shell’s Facebook page.
In addition to the free walking tours, Pink Shell is offering guided kayak tours with Vince. Guests can choose from three different tours based upon their kayaking experience (beginners to advanced) and the areas they might wish to explore including Bird Island and Bunche Beach Preserve.
Vince will offer tips & techniques for beginners, as well as interpreting and sharing information about the local wildlife and ecosystems. Depending upon the tour chosen they can last from 1 to 2 ½ hours in length. These tours are the perfect way to have fun, get some exercise and learn a lot about the natural beauty that graces our coast.
“Being able to provide these informational services to our guests is as thrilling to us as it is to them. We look forward to seeing their smiles and hearing the excitement in their voices when they share what they have learned from visiting with Vince.” stated Ellis Etter, Director of Sales and Marketing for the resort. These additions prove that Pink Shell’s customer service truly lives up to its philosophy: “The only thing we overlook is the beach.”
About Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, a Boykin Management Company Property, is located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida along ¼ mile of sugar-white sands with 213 beachfront studio and condo style accommodations, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the barrier islands of South West Florida, Sanibel and Captiva. Pink Shell was the first resort on the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, Florida to be designated a Green Lodging Property by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The resort features many recreational activities in a family friendly atmosphere. For more information, please visit PinkShell.com.
Sean Breckley, Quenzel & Associates, Inc., http://Quenzel.com, +1 (239) 226-0040, [email protected]
Share this article