Meet “Jack of All Trades” Phil Dakin
Everywhere Phil Dakin has lived, he has volunteered with local nonprofit environmental groups. When he moved to Stuart three years ago, he saw Florida Oceanographic as his next great opportunity to help his local community. In previous roles with other organizations, he has assisted with everything from bird rescues and sea turtle monitoring, to planting native wild rice and coral restoration. As a volunteer at Florida Oceanographic, he is responsible for weekly water quality data collection at two sites in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary, as well as monthly seagrass monitoring. He is just starting to get involved with the Oyster Gardening and Living Docks Programs at the dock of his condo where he lives. “My favorite part of volunteering is being able to help nature as well as collecting scientific data about our natural environment,” Phil says about his numerous roles at Florida Oceanographic.
Phil spent 34 years in Natural Resources Conservation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture in several places in Michigan helping landowners, local governments, and agencies.
One of the highlights of Phil’s Air Force career was time he spent working in a physics lab during the Vietnam War where he ran a mass spectrometer that analyzed atomic structures of foreign nuclear weapons detonations.
Previously, he spent six years in the Sarasota area, and one and a half years in the Florida Keys, living on Grassy Key. “I was drawn to the Stuart area because of its small-town feel, greater beach access in less congested areas, as well as no parking fees and no Red Tide,” said Phil.
When not volunteering with Florida Oceanographic, Phil likes to walk along the beach, where, you guessed it, he can be found picking up pieces of trash. He also enjoys biking, kayaking, hiking out west in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, snorkeling, sailing, and volunteering at the House of Hope growing gardens in Palm City.
Phil has two grown children. His son is an automotive engineer, and his daughter is an architect. He is blessed with 5 grand children ranging in age from 12 to 16, all living in Michigan. All his siblings live in Michigan, and he is the only wandering soul in his family. We’re just glad his wanderlust brought him to our community.
Phil Dakin Snapshot:
Born in: Jackson, Michigan
Attended College: Michigan State University earning a BS degree in Natural Resources Management
Favorite local restaurants: Spritz because they buy locally so it’s fresh, best organic/vegetarian/vegan food selections
Recent books and favorite authors: “A Furious Sky, the 500 Year History of America’s Hurricanes” by Eric Jay Dolin
Movies, TV, streaming series you would recommend: “Paint Your Wagon” with Lee Marvin, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” with Clint Eastwood, “The Sound of Music” with Julie Andrews, and PBS documentaries
