The Florida Museum of Natural History has a new operations manager for its southwest Florida cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation site, the Randell Research Center. Located on Pine Island, the center preserves and manages 69 acres of coastal pineland, several large shell mounds and a canal remnant constructed by the Calusa, who inhabited the region for more than 1,000 years.
The stewardship of a site with such historical and ecological significance requires a skilled hand, and Natalie Binder, who officially assumed the role of operations manager on October 24, says she’s ready for the challenge.
Binder worked as the Library Director of the Jefferson County Public Library in the town of Monticello, FL, before joining the Florida Museum. With dual degrees in political and social science, a master’s degree in science, library & information science, and experience as a prestigious Fullbright English teaching assistant, Natalie’s background prepared her well for the dynamic role of library director.
Her duties included managing a 10,000 sq. ft. public facility, supporting management of nearby natural areas and parks, and overseeing the care of approximately 35,000 library objects, all while developing and leading public programing and outreach across Jefferson County.
She was also tasked with a variety of responsibilities that are less often associated with the librarian profession. She ran a food pantry, assisted with disaster relief, guided people through the process of voter registration and helped those in need gain access to social security and housing resources.
“It was a real chance at public service,” she said. “When you work in a library, you end up helping people, especially in a rural library, because it becomes a sort of civic center.”
Binder was a librarian for more than 15 years, during which time she also carried out various duties more typically associated with the job title, such as shelving books, editing spreadsheets and reading to children during story time.
“Every day was different, and every day was interesting.”
Binder initially started out as a volunteer at the Jefferson County Public Library in 2009. She quickly worked her way up through the ranks, and in 2015, she took over as library director. Over the next several years, she raised more than $4 million in public and private donations that were put toward maintaining the library’s day-to-day operations.
She plans to bring the same spirit of action and civic responsibility to the Randell Research Center, which places a strong emphasis on environmental and cultural stewardship. For example, she served in the Americorps in 2004 and wants to create similar opportunities for volunteers at the Center, such as the hurricane cleanup and invasive species removal that was recently carried out by a team of Gatorcorps and UF Gulf Scholars. And, building on her roots as a librarian and public educator, she wants people to learn about Florida’s unique past, a part of which is unusually well preserved at the center.
Binder’s enthusiasm for her position is in many ways due to the role the Randell Research Center plays in representing the museum’s commitment to the resilience of Florida’s cultural heritage and nature.
“As part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, I am excited about being able to make the connection between the University of Florida and the public, sharing why archaeology matters and how it relates to our lives today. I am also drawn to Pineland and Pine Island because I am interested in Gulf coast ecology and estuaries — observing and documenting nature and its connections to people through time” she says.
Michelle LeFebvre, director of the Randell Research Center, appreciates Binder’s enthusiasm.
“We are very excited to welcome Natalie to the team and to support her local leadership and vision for the center as a community resource on Pine Island, southwest Florida and beyond,” LeFebvre said. “Natalie brings an insatiable thirst for knowledge, dedication to public education and deep passion for the conservation of Florida’s cultural and biological heritage. She has jumped in feet first, and we are thrilled to have her represent the Florida Museum on Pine Island.”
Sources: Natalie Binder, nataliebinder@floridamuseum.ufl.edu
Media contact: Jerald Pinson, jpinson@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-294-0452