April 19, 2019

SFWMD Highlights Everglades Science Expertise at 2019 Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Science Conference
Dozens of District staff presenting latest data at gathering of  scientists studying Florida's Everglades health and restoration

Click on the image to visit the Website of the 2019 Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration science conference.


Coral Springs, FL -  Dozens of scientists and staff from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are sharing their latest scientific knowledge about Florida's Everglades as part of a unique gathering of Everglades-focused scientists, the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration (GEER) conference being held April 22-26 in Coral Springs. 

The conference is co-sponsored by the University of Florida, SFWMD, the U.S. Geological Survey and several other agencies and stakeholder groups. More than 500 scientists from around the world are expected to attend the conference, which will feature three days of scientific presentations about the latest in Everglades-related science.
 
"GEER is not just a conference. It is a tool to help save the Everglades. It brings scientists, regulators and stakeholders together to share the latest science and see where we are with restoration," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss, who will serve as a keynote speaker for the GEER conference. "Our agency is all about restoring our natural resources like the Everglades and looking for every opportunity to share knowledge with the public. The GEER conference offers a unique opportunity to do both so together we can find the answers and get the job done."
 
Conference participants include 43 presenters who are part of SFWMD's staff of scientists. An array of presentation topics include:
  • How SFWMD and its partners monitor and combat invasive plants in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, presented by Section Leader LeRoy Rodgers. 
  • Benefits identified from the ongoing Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands restoration project, presented by Lead Environmental Scientist Bahram Charkhian.  
  • "TED"-style talks as part of the "Design, Innovation and Governance (DIG)" plenary session, presented by Marsh Ecology Research Group Section Leader Sue Newman and Everglades System Assessment Section Leader Mark Cook.  
  • Spatial modeling developed by SFWMD to help determine the right water levels for ecosystem health, presented by Wetland Landscape Ecologist Christa Zweig.
The GEER conference will also feature a session dedicated to young upcoming scientists and environmental stewards. The youth session includes three short movies from youth filmmakers about ocean conservation that received awards from the Youth Making Ripples Film Competition and presentations from Bahamian students, members of the Young Marine Explorers group founded by a former University of Miami student. The session also includes a series of "lightning talks" on the latest scientific research being conducted by college undergraduate students from throughout Florida.

"South Florida Water Management District scientists have been invaluable collaborators in University of Florida (UF) research on Everglades restoration," said Jack Payne, UF's senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and head of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. "The GEER conference again demonstrates SFWMD's team approach to a local issue that is at the same time a national priority."

Developing and sharing the latest scientific knowledge is a crucial part of the work conducted at SFWMD.  Every day, scientists, professional engineers and other staff conduct water quality sampling, study the Everglades in living laboratories, model the impact of water management decisions and ongoing projects as well as perform other work dedicated to restoring and protecting Florida's natural water resources. This knowledge is shared with the public at gatherings like the GEER conference as well as being available on SFWMD's website, https://www.sfwmd.gov.

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Media Contact: 
Randy Smith  |   rrsmith@sfwmd.gov    |  Office: 561-682-2800  |  Cell: 561-389-3386
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida's water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.

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