“The United States boasts an incredible wealth of natural beauty. From rugged coastlines and thick forests to arid deserts and canyons, our diverse landscapes represent a treasured heritage of which all Americans can be proud.”

President George W. Bush delivered that statement in 2001 as he announced the celebration of National Park Week, an annual opportunity to appreciate and support the country’s national parks and the people who protect them.

Francisco “Franky” Otero understands the pride and treasured heritage President Bush spoke of better than most. Franky is a Ranger at Biscayne National Park — described by the National Park Service (NPS) as “a watery wonderland” that is made up of 95% water just south of Miami.

But the park is not just where Franky works.

It’s also where he lives.

Nine miles out into Biscayne Bay is Elliott Key, a tiny island several miles long but less than 2,000 feet wide. It once was home to the Tequesta tribe, followed by settlers and fishermen in the 19th century. Today it is the largest island in Biscayne National Park, a destination for tourists who want to fish or camp, and home to a total of six people.

Franky is one of those six.

As he steers his boat into work every day, he often finds himself thinking about the beauty around him.

“The worries of everyday manmade life fall to the background in the immensity and grandeur of nature around us,” he told me. “Connecting people to the natural world in a meaningful way is one of the most enriching things that I get to do. To serve as a revealer of the natural world or as a guide is a noble and gratifying type of work in my eyes.”

Sharing a park’s stories

Biscayne is one of 63 national parks and 433 individual units (including designated locations such as lakeshores, battlefields, and preserves) overseen by the NPS. The NPS was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, although Yellowstone was actually designated as the country’s first national park back in 1872.

Biscayne was initially established as a national monument in 1968 and designated as a national park in 1980. Within the park are more than 600 species of fish, a vast mangrove forest, and the northernmost point of the Florida Reef — the third-largest coral reef system in the world.

As a Park Ranger, Franky’s primary responsibilities are to connect visitors to the park’s historical, ecological, geological, and cultural resources. He leads paddle tours, fishing clinics, and coral talks throughout the year for park visitors. He also participates in classroom visits and virtual distance learning programs.

To succeed in his role, he relies heavily on the power of storytelling.

“Whether it be the way an animal survives or the long geologic forces that shape the land, or even yet the act of man, all of these processes are explained through the lens of storytelling,” he said. “Stories are so much more than just the relaying of information, a story has twists and turns throughout. Tension can mount, tragedy can strike, humor can play a vital role as well. Regardless of how or why we tell them, stories are the backbone of good communication and connection to each other.”

‘The backbone of good communication’

For Franky, connection is key.

His goal as a Ranger is to help visitors see themselves reflected in the natural world. He wants to educate younger guests and teach them why it’s important to care for nature. He also wants park guests to better identify and appreciate beauty around them.

For example, when he leads fishing clinics, he makes it a point to tell participants who don’t catch fish that they still caught a lot of memories. It’s a simple way he tries to ensure everyone has a special and memorable experience.

“In life it is so easy to think about the obvious things, the big fish, the big destination, the big job, etc.,” he said. “I think that we should assign more value not on the results of the activities we partake in but rather the enjoyment to be found in doing these things. It is easy to be frustrated when fishing and not finding success, but when you consider the time you spend with loved ones and the natural beauty all around, I think that shifts the focus away from the ‘destination’ of the activity and more to the ‘journey’ of it.”

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3 storytelling tips for you

1) Lean into your personal experiences

The stories that resonate most with others often start with the ones that move you. Franky believes the moments that stand out in your own life usually hold something universal — a lesson, a laugh, or a spark of wonder. When you share from your lived experience, your audience doesn’t just hear your story, they feel it.

2) Practice your delivery

Even the best story can fall flat without the right rhythm or tone. Franky’s work as a Ranger depends on reading the room — or in his case, the trail, the boat, or the classroom. He adjusts his pacing, energy, and emotion to match his listeners. Great storytelling is as much about how you tell it as what you tell. Practice out loud, notice what lands, and refine your flow.

3) Be true to your style

Authenticity is what makes a story believable. Franky doesn’t try to sound like anyone else when he speaks about the park, and neither should you when you share your stories. Whether your voice is calm and reflective or bold and animated, lean into it. The more you own your natural style, the more your stories will ring true.