Joseph Salerno is an Environmental Scientist with a year of experience in the private sector, focusing on gopher tortoise relocation, wetland delineation, and endangered species surveys. His expertise extends to groundwater and surface water sampling, as well as environmental and water use permitting. Joseph has contributed to key projects like the Preserve at Legends Pointe, where he led gopher tortoise surveys and excavations on the 76-acre site, and the Kenton project, where he assisted in species surveys and compliance documentation for SWFWMD. His passion for environmental work stems from a lifelong love of the outdoors and wildlife, which he has channeled into a career that allows him to be in nature while making a positive impact. With a Master’s in Biological Sciences from Nova Southeastern University, Joseph has also researched the impacts of invasive water hyacinth on Lake Okeechobee’s aquatic ecosystems, a topic he presented during his thesis defense.

In addition to his environmental work, Joseph served as captain of the cross-country and track team at Nova Southeastern, a role that strengthened his leadership skills. Outside of work, he enjoys running, snorkeling off the beaches of Tampa Bay, and staying active at the gym. Joseph is motivated by the opportunity to explore new environments through his work, and he is always excited to discover the diverse species of plants and wildlife Florida has to offer.