Trista Purrington

Meet Trista Purrington—Florida’s biggest fan and proud resident who refuses to leave the Sunshine State (why leave paradise when the tourists literally flock to your doorstep?). In fact, the only thing she loves more than Florida beaches is gardening in Florida soil. If you see someone elbow-deep in a bed of catnip, chances are it’s Trista. She’s been honing her green thumb since her first summer job at a state park at the age of sixteen and hasn’t stopped blossoming since.

When Trista’s not busy tending to her jungle of houseplants, you’ll find her tending to her clowder of four fluffy feline friends. Her husband says they run a “cat-atrium” instead of a home, and Trista wouldn’t have it any other way.

As a lifelong horticulturist, Trista’s résumé looks like Mother Nature wrote it herself—experience in landscaping, golf course maintenance, nursery management, and especially park management (basically, if it’s outdoors and filled with critters, she’s been there). She’s also a career student, collecting college degrees like some people collect stamps. With five degrees already under her (tool) belt and a doctorate in Educational Leadership on the way, Trista could teach a college course on becoming a professional scholar!

But don’t let her stacks of textbooks fool you—Trista’s heart belongs to the vast, wild world around her. She’s the type to brake for squirrels (and possibly wave them across the street), snap photos of butterflies, and rescue every stray kitten she can find. Not surprisingly, she wants to pass this love of nature and wildlife on to her three grandsons, just like her father did for her. That’s why she’s ventured into writing children’s books—so every kid (and kid-at-heart) can be inspired by backyard wildlife, mischievous squirrels, and the purrfect wonder of cats.

So, if you spot Trista out in the Florida sunshine, digging through flowerbeds or chasing after an exceptionally playful cat, go ahead and say hello. Chances are she’ll talk your ear off about her favorite parks, the best spots to find baby gators or the proper technique to handle a banana tree. But one thing’s for sure—once you meet this quirky, cat-loving, forever-learning nature buff, you’ll be itching to grab a copy of her latest story for your own little explorers. After all, there’s no better tour guide to the great outdoors than someone who’s lived her whole life in nature’s playground…and has the meowing backup choir to prove it!