Tabitha Stadler is responsible for all operations of the Sanctuary’s Blair Visitor Center as well supervising public and youth education, the volunteer and membership programs, and marketing.

Stadler’s career spans more than 20 years and encompasses Florida-based leadership positions responsible for environmental education, science and research.

She comes to Corkscrew from a 10-year tenure with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, most recently as principal investigator and project manager for the three-year “Restoring the Rookery Bay Estuary” project. She developed and secured funding for the project and oversaw all aspects of its successful implementation, which included hydrologic modeling, habitat mapping, and social science research.

Prior to that position, she served as the coastal training program coordinator for Rookery Bay, a managerial position charged with working regionally to provide science-based information, skills, and technical assistance to targeted audiences.

Stadler’s career also includes positions with Pathfinder, Inc. as director of academic development; Newland Communities as an environmental consultant; the Science Journalism Center at the University of South Florida as assistant to the director; Tampa BayWatch, Inc., as educational coordinator for the Tampa Bay Manatee Watch project; and GeoBlue Coastal Management Solutions, as owner/operator.

Tabitha Stadler achieved a master’s degree in science communications from the University of South Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in maritime/environmental studies from Eckerd College. Her education also includes a study abroad program at the Study Center of London, undergraduate work in marine science at the University of Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, and graduate coursework in environmental ethics from Four Corners School of Outdoor Education in Monticello, Utah.

Her career is distinguished by numerous awards, including a Florida Marine Research Institute Award in Cooperative Science for facilitating scientific collaboration and developing partnerships, and a USCG Auxiliary award for achievement in marine biology.

Tabitha Stadler is active in Florida’s professional environmental committees and boards. She has served on the board of directors for Pathfinder, Inc., in addition to committee involvement with the Southwest Florida Watershed Council, the Environmental Education Alliance of Southwest Florida, and the Collier County Florida Sea Grant Advisory Committee. She was a founder and member of the Greenscape Alliance, which focuses on stormwater management through best practices in landscaping Collier County.