Hunter Svetanics is a passionate advocate for the conservation of our natural resources and wildlife. Enjoying nature from an early age, becoming a Cub Scout at 6 years old, and graduating to a Boy Scout at 10 years old. In his adult life, Hunter volunteers at local parks and preserves, helping to restore and maintain Louisiana's wetlands, grasslands, forests, waterways, and the wildlife that lives there. Hunter served in the Louisiana Conservation Corps, full-time for a 9 month term in 2022, allowing him to spend more time in nature while working to restore it at the same time. Now, Hunter continues to take every opportunity to volunteer and spend time in nature, learning more about conservation through every experience.
Hunter has worked on Grand Isle with Jean Landry of The Nature Conservancy on multiple projects. Repairing bridges, helping construct a new trail on the LSU Tract, doing additional trail maintenance across the island, and clearing an area of invasive plants to plant native trees. Hunter has also worked with Sydney Finn of The Nature Conservancy across the state in various locations around Louisiana including Cypress Island, Mary Ann Brown, Sam Houston Jones State Park, and Hollister Chenier. Helping with trail maintenance, trash pick-up, tree planting, boundary line marking, posting signs, and ecological monitoring.
Hunter has worked at The Jean Lafittie's Museum the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana. As well as the Acadian Cultural Center at Beaver Park in Lafayette, Louisiana. Doing restoration work on the museums that involved painting, dock maintenance, power washing, D/2 application, and scissor lift operations.
Hunter has worked on a variety of projects with BREC, including invasive species removal and herbicide application at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, public land improvement and trail maintenance at many different BREC locations, boardwalk construction at BREC's Frenchtown Conservation Area and Kendalwood Road Park, tree planting and gardening at multiple BREC locations, and chainsaw operations at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center and Frenchtown Conservation Area.