Hello! My name is Rosanne Ortiz, but I’ve gone by Rizzo in various roles since high school. I’m originally from Roswell, GA and have always loved being out in nature! As a kid, I always wanted to be outside. I credit my mother for this - she never let us stay inside. My first foray into conservation was actually in my freshman year of high school. I worked as a counselor in training at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, which was just down the road. I moved to Florida in 2006 to attend Saint Leo University. After 6 years, I was able to graduate in 2012 with my Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science. I have an extensive background in the hospitality industry, including 14 years at Busch Gardens and 5 years at the Walt Disney Company. In my time at Busch Gardens, I did a little bit of everything, from working attractions, to camps and zookeeping. For Disney, I was a photographer. Needless to say, I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of fresh air and being able to share my experiences and knowledge with adults and children alike!

 

I started out with the Florida Park Service after making a career change in 2021. My side hobby is still photography, and you’ll often find me out and about with a camera. I’m always happy to show off my photos of the parks – ask me any time! Working in the park service has always been a pipe dream – I’ve always imagined it will be able to take me just about anywhere in the world. Being a ranger is important to me – it’s hard to protect something you don’t know about. Sharing my knowledge and experience with others helps bring to light the plight of our natural spaces, and in some cases (such as Ybor City), our heritage.

 

Regardless, FPS has become a brotherhood and I love my park family – everyone brings something different to the table. I love that this environment brings me to new people and opens me to new ideas and opportunities!