Daniella Casanova

Welcome
Greetings, my name is Daniella and welcome to my website's homepage!

Education

I started my higher education journey at Pasco-Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel, Florida for my Associates of Arts (A.A.). Afterwards, I opted to take an extra year and catchup on STEM-focused courses at St. Petersburg College before transferring to the University of South Florida. Once transferred, I co-founded the Entomology Society at USF (ESSF). I briefly managed the ESSF iNaturalist virtual group where club members were allowed to share their bug-findings. I also managed in-person group tours to Lettuce Lake Park and the USF Botanical Gardens where entomology members would identify bug species.

About

I am a devoted nature-enthusiast with a love for stewardship from the Florida Nature Coast. I was born in Miami, Florida located in Broward County. After 3 years, my family relocated to Snell Isle of St. Petersburg, Florida in the early 2000s. And then once again to Pasco County in the mid-late 2000s. Since then, I have grown up near the Tampa Bay Area for most of my life. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science & Policy from the University of South Florida. My academic interests are field research, science talk, and natural resources. 

Introduction

Growing up as a Floridian, I spent my early childhood visiting the St. Petersburg's inverted-pyramid pier or Sunken Gardens. Something magical happened during those visits where I gained my curiosity for nature. I would often see dolphins or sea turtles swimming under fishing docks of Smacks and Coffeepot Bayou. When I stopped by Crisp Park as a child, I would collect Lovebugs (Plecia nearctica) or Oleander Caterpillar (Syntomeida epilais) around the late spring to early summer. My earliest days of volunteering started out at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park next to Odessa, Florida. I supported marathon runners with park guidance and event supplies. I also had the privilege to help out marathon runners for the Honeymoon Island State Park's annual race held around early January.