Tom Baran Helps Guests Appreciate the Nature Trail
For more than 10 years, Tom Baran has guided Florida Oceanographic guests each week down the Coastal Center’s Nature Trail. It’s a beautiful walk through oak forests, over boardwalks through the mangroves, and along the Center’s crushed shell path along the Indian River Lagoon. Visitors can see birds, butterflies, anoles, crabs, snakes and even the occasional bobcat on the Trail.
“Over the years the landscape is always changing,” notes Tom. “With the new EcoCenter being built, we start the Trail on the other side of the Gamefish Lagoon. Every trip on the trail is a fresh experience.”
Tom and his wife Natalie live about half of the year in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The rest of their time is spent in Stuart in the condo originally purchased by his parents in the early 1970s. Tom’s been enjoying the Treasure Coast for 50-plus years. Before retirement, Tom was an electrical engineer working on space systems and satellites. He moved to Los Angeles after college for a job with Hughes Aircraft, and eventually his career took him to Colorado. The couple met in Colorado Springs through mutual friends in 2000, and married soon after.
“Colorado Springs and Stuart are both ideal places for being out in nature,” says Tom. “We have lots of good hiking near Pike’s Peak, and we like the freshwater ecology of the Savannas State Park. We have the luxury of following the good weather.”
Tom is also a member of the Audubon Society of Martin County. “I’ve always liked being outdoors, so volunteering for the Florida Oceanographic Society is a good fit for me,” says Tom. “I really like being part of the mission to educate about and advocate for our local waters and environment. I hope to see all our volunteers, staff, and guests safely back at the Coastal Center for the 2020-21 season to enjoy our new building!”
Tom Baran Snapshot
Born in: Philadelphia, PA
Snowbird: Spends half the year in Colorado Springs
Early career: Electrical engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company
Fave flavors: Seafood restaurants around town
Free time: Hiking, birding, appreciating nature
