Director's Corner
Training professionals to better address public issues
by Jon Dain, NRLI Director
Happy New Year! We are already 21 days into this new decade, but I still think it's worth taking time to briefly reflect on why NRLI exists and why, in this issue of the NRLI News, we are asking for your help in recruiting Fellows for Class XX.
In 1998, the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute was founded to "better address public issues regarding the management of Florida's natural resources and environment." But what did founders Dr. Roy Carriker and his original NRLI colleagues* mean by "better"? In a 2014 e-mail to former NRLI director Bruce Delaney, Roy cited examples of two public issues from the late 1990's, the
plans for water management in the Southern Water Use Caution Area within the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and planning and management in the Ocala National Forest for multiple-use, sustained-yield objectives. Noting their complexity, he pointed out that
in 1998 "i
t was apparent that, in most cases, there was no single, scientific, "correct" solution to public natural resource and environmental management decisions". He then asked, "Upon what body of knowledge then, should [we] offer 'solutions' to public environmental issues?"
The observation and the question are equally valid two decades later. The answer? A body of knowledge built upon the understanding, experience and expertise of the multiple actors with important stakes in these public issues. Not just scientists, not just local rural and/or urban communities, not just government agencies or industry representatives or activists or non-profits. Long-term natural resource management solutions best emerge from engaging with and considering the needs and interests of all relevant stakeholders, which means individuals and groups...
- impacted by decisions
- with the power to make/influence decisions
- with special expertise (scientific, cultural, historical, economic, political) important to making decisions
It sounds straight-forward, but Roy had taken part in the original** NRLI program and knew that engaging multiple parties in inclusive and effective decision-making required a specific set of skills, concepts and strategies. These included "meeting facilitation, mediation, effective communication and related components of collaborative problem-solving".
Collaborative problem solving
is what the NRLI founders meant by a "
better" way to address public natural resource issues. Collaborative problem solving is what NRLI teaches and why we need your help to recruit and train natural resource professionals.
According to the Gainesville Sun citing the "Florida: 2030" report ***, by 2030:
- Florida will have 5 million new residents
- One in four Floridians will be 65 or older
- Rural areas will account for 86% of Florida's land but just 10% of its populations
To that mix I will add the proposal to build three new toll roads; documented sea level rise and climate change impacts; the need to protect and maintain agricultural lands and livelihoods; and the narrowing window of opportunity to purchase, protect and manage public and private lands vital for sustaining the integrity of Florida's ecosystems, natural resource base and way of life. These are all highly complex issues requiring collaborative problem-solving skills - and a collective body of knowledge.
So please help us recruit NRLI Fellows to address these challenges! We need recruits from across the state, across the political spectrum, across natural resource sectors and who reflect the populations and people of Florida. NRLI is not the answer, but it is part of the solution.
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*"In 1996 the North Carolina [original] NRLI recruited two IFAS faculty members to participate as fellows in that year's NRLI class. Will Sheftall (Leon County Natural Resources Extension Agent) and Roy Carriker (Environmental Policy specialist in the IFAS/ Food and Resource Economics Department) completed the 1996 NRLI program. During 1996 and 1997, Will and Roy recruited a team of faculty and practitioners to conceive a Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute. The founding project team included Dr. Burl Long (Environmental Economist), Marshall Breeze (IFAS communications specialist), Professors Don Peters and Allison Gerenscer from the Levin College of Law Conflict Resolution Center, and Bob Jones and Tom Taylor of the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium (Florida State University)."
**
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service established the original NRLI in the form of the "North Carolina Natural Resource Leadership Institute"...funded by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. In 1996, the North Carolina NRLI recruited two UF/IFAS faculty members to participate as fellows in that year's NRLI class, Will Sheftall (Leon County Natural Resources Extension Agent) and Roy Carriker (Environmental Policy specialist in the IFAS/ Food and Resource Economics Department).
***The Gainesville Sun (12/31/19) citing the "Florida: 2030" report produced by the Florida Chamber Foundation.
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Connecting forestry leaders to advance collaborative practice and forestland resilience
Does your work relate to forested lands in Florida? If so, you might be interested in an exciting NRLI Alumni discussion forum that we are hosting in Quincy during Session 7 of Class XIX. This event provides a platform for NRLI forestry leaders to assess current and future challenges and opportunities within the forestry sector.
Keynote speakers will highlight recent shocks to the system (i.e. hurricane Michael) and catalyze conversations about future scenarios. Furthermore, a panel of NRLI alumni will feature successful unique partnerships that are improving sector resilience. This is a great opportunity to build alliances among forestry professionals and explore the potential for enhancing sector stewardship through collaboration.
Save-the-date: Wednesday, March 18th from 4 - 6:30 pm at the North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Rd, Quincy, FL 32351.
We also invite you to stay overnight and join our Thursday 19th field trip and stakeholder panel.
More detailed agenda forthcoming.
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Now that the holidays are over and a new year is upon us, the NRLI project team is working in earnest to recruit applicants for Class XX (Class 20! Can you believe it?!?!).
Please help spread the word - make phone calls, send emails, post on social media, follow up with promising candidates, and/or whatever else you can think of!
Here are some links to share:
The deadline to apply is March 31, 2020.
NRLI wouldn't be what it is today without you and we truly value everything NRLI alumni do to help us move forward with this work. Thank you!!
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Getting to Know Class XIX Fellows
Scott Pearce
Marine Law Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Captain Scott Pearce has been in law enforcement for over 21 years. He began his career in 1998 with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He has served as a Patrol Officer, Resource Investigator, Staff Lieutenant, Field Lieutenant, Special Operation Group Team Leader, Offshore Patrol Vessel Supervisor and most recently Captain within the Statewide Investigations and Intelligence Section. Scott currently holds the title of Marine Law Administrator.
Zachary Prusak
Central Florida Program Manager/Florida Fire Manager, The Nature Conservancy
(TNC)
Zach has worked for TNC's Florida Chapter since January 2005. In his main role, Zach supports the Conservancy's Florida Fire Team members located at our Preserves, while working with state, federal, local and private conservation groups in order to promote fire training opportunities, facilitate on-the-ground partnerships, while also serving as the Florida Chapter's liaison on national fire issues.
Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Zach worked at the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, conducted fires and studied mosquito populations with the Reedy Creek Improvement District, and worked as a Biologist for the Florida Park Service. Zach has over 32 years' experience working with prescribed fire, and is qualified as both a Federal and State Burn Boss.
Zach holds both an M.S. and B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Florida, where he studied ants. Zach also enjoys Improv, comedy and Voice Acting/VO work...hit me up for your narration needs!
Ana Zangroniz
Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent, Miami-Dade County
Ana Zangroniz serves as the Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent in Miami-Dade County, FL. Ana's focus are the coastal and marine resources of the county, and she delivers extension programming that is audience-specific and addresses the needs of both the environment and local stakeholders. Ana's major program areas include: promoting healthy habitats and ecosystems, and improving marine and environmental literacy and stewardship. Ana works most frequently with fishermen, boaters, scuba divers, and natural resource managers.
When not at work, Ana can be found cuddling with her beloved dog, Pilón, or spending time underwater. She is a five-year volunteer at Biscayne National Park where she does annual replacement and maintenance of the Park's mooring buoys, and SCUBA dives every weekend that the seas are favorable. Aside from being underwater, Ana's other passion is salsa dancing. She happily packs her bags several times a year to travel the country and the world just to go social dancing.
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Class XIX Fellows
Chris Cason
Equipment Operations/Engineering Tech/Law Enforcement Officer, U.S. Forest Service
Matthew Chopp
Regional Public Hunting Areas Biologist, Wild Hog Issues Specialist, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Ben Christ
Researcher, UF - SPARC USDA
Katelyn Cucinotta
Environmental Analyst, Office of Resilience, Palm Beach County
Ben Glass
Community Affairs Manager, Suwannee River Water Management District
Kathleen Greenwood
Environmental Consultant, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Elizabeth Guthrie
Stewardship Director, North Florida Land Trust
Cacee Hilliard
CARES Coordinator, Florida Farm Bureau
Marjorie Karter
Program Consultant, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Mark Lotz
Biological Scientist III, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Katrina Moseley
Owner/Operator, family cattle & hay farm
Mulit-family Housing & Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Melissa Nasuti
Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division
Sara Owen
Deputy City Manager, City of Lake Butler
Scott Pearce
Law Enforcement Captain, Marine Law Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Frank Powell
Assistant Deputy Secretary of Ecosystems Restoration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Zachary Prusak
Central Florida Program Manager/Florida Fire Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Andrew Rappe
Assistant Director, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, UF/IFAS
Norma Samuel
Extension Agent IV, Florida-Friendly Landscaping & Urban Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tiffany Trent
Environmental Scientist IV, St Johns River Water Management District
Matt Warren
Environmental Manager, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy
Ana Zangroniz
Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Sea Grant
Class XVIII Schedule
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Dates
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Topic |
Location |
| August 21-23, 2019 |
Impacts of Port Expansion |
Fort Lauderdale |
| September 25-27, 2019 |
Beach Renourishment |
Niceville |
| October 23-25, 2019 |
Water Quality & Estuary Health |
Fort Myers |
| November 20-22, 2019 |
Wildlife Management: Florida Black Bear |
Ocala |
| January 22-24, 2020 |
Agriculture & Water Quality |
Okeechobee |
| February 19-21, 2020 |
Lake Istokpoga Management |
Sebring |
| March 18-20, 2020 |
Forestry |
Quincy |
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April 15-17, 2020
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Graduation & Practicum Presentations |
Gainesville |
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#NRLI #NRLIrocks #NRLIalum
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