Author Larry Perez is a lifelong resident of Miami where he lives with his wife and two children. A graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, he has parlayed his education into a lengthy career in South Florida's natural areas. For over twelve years, Larry has served as an interpreter and park ranger for both Miami-Dade County Parks and the National Park Service. During that time, he has garnered numerous awards for both his professional and personal pursuits. Larry's writings have appeared in several publications, including Tropical Trails Magazine, Miami Family Magazine, and South Florida History Magazine. He is the writer and producer of Everglades by Car: A Narrated Audio Tour of Everglades National Park, and the author of the Journal of Florida's Watchable Wildlife: Reptiles and Amphibians. Larry continues his studies today as a graduate student in the FIU Department of Environmental Studies, and has most recently authored Words on the Wilderness: A History of Place Names in South Florida's National Parks , following his independent research.