Highlighting local leaders in the community continues with Commissioner Barbara Blonder, featured in St. Johns County’s latest Spotlight Series. Blonder, who serves as vice mayor of the City of St. Augustine, has a background in environmental science and education.
Commissioner Blonder holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in Marine Biology from Florida Tech. She returned to St. Augustine in 2001 to work for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. During her career, including her time at Flagler College, she contributed to the development of the college's Coastal Environmental Science program, the first major of its kind recorded at the institution.
Her impact extends beyond her professional expertise. St. Johns County Day noted in a social media post that Commissioner Blonder has also taken a lead in academia through governance, notably serving as Flagler College Faculty Senate Chair and spearheading the institution's efforts in undergraduate research as the Director.
While her various roles and accomplishments are noted, her impact on students and the scientific community is significant. Her work with the Coastal Environmental Science program has influenced the curriculum at Flagler College and supported the development of future environmental professionals.
