Senior Ranger Jerry Miller has spent most of his life in the landscapes he now helps protect. Growing up just outside what is now Duette Preserve in Manatee County, Jerry developed an early connection to Florida’s ranchlands, forests, and wildlife. Today, he serves as a Senior Ranger with Manatee County Natural Resources, helping manage the county’s largest preserve while sharing the wonders of wild Florida with the public.

Many people know Jerry through Jerry’s Wild Life page on Instagram, where he regularly shares photos and videos of animals encountered during his work in the field, from deer, bobcats to the occasional rare sightings of panthers and bears, which reminds us just how wild Florida can still be. His posts, often captured during routine patrols across Duette Preserve, have connected millions of people to the wildlife that lives right here in Manatee County.

In this episode of Florida Uncut, Jerry talks about what it was like growing up near Duette, how those early experiences with his dad shaped his love for the land, and what it means to now help manage and protect the same connected landscape. He also shares stories from years of working outdoors, documenting wildlife, and helping visitors experience Florida’s natural areas.

Beyond his work as a ranger, Jerry also volunteers with turtle watch programs along the Gulf Coast, helping monitor and protect nesting sea turtles. It’s another way he stays connected to the wildlife and ecosystems that make Florida unique.

This conversation is full of classic Florida stories, wildlife encounters, land stewardship, and the perspective of someone who has watched this landscape change over a lifetime.

Learn more about Jerry and other resources discussed:

• Jerry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrys_wild_life/
• Turtle Watch: https://islandturtlewatch.com/
• Duette Preserve: https://www.mymanatee.org/connect/locations/location-details/duette-preserve