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Natural Areas Training Academy Graduate Profiles
Keith Bettcher
keith.bettcher@co.manatee.fl.us
Keith grew up on a 400 acre horse and cattle ranch in North Texas. In 1993, he decided to pursue his love for the outdoors and start a career. In 1997, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS in Recreation and Parks Management. He did his internship with the Florida Parks Service at the former Gulf Islands GEO Park in Dunedin, Florida. In 1998, Keith began working at the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. In 1999, he accepted a Park Ranger position with the growing Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department’s Conservation Lands Management Division at Emerson Point Park.
Keith is currently the Administrator for the Manatee County Conservation Lands Management Department. He manages 13 properties encompassing roughly 30,000 acres of county and state owned conservation land within Manatee County, as well as the county’s Artificial Reef Program and 5 of the 7 county boat ramps.
Keith received his Certificate in Natural Areas Management through the Natural Areas Training Academy in 2004. In addition, Keith holds a Prescribed Fire Certification and a Pesticide Applicators License.
