Latest Florida Climate Resilience Survey results featured on ABC Action News in December 2021.

We are excited to highlight new results for the 5th and latest wave of CES’s Florida Climate Resilience Survey. This research project, led by Dr. Colin Polsky and CES researchers Glen Oglesby and Ryan Amato, analyzes Floridians' views on several climate change topics, including its cause, concern for future generations, and support for future energy options.

Climate change is often a contentious partisan issue, but that may be changing in Florida according to Dr. Polsky:

“Over time, we’ve seen a kind of what appears to be a trend toward more and more belief in climate change — and that it’s human-caused — among Republicans,” said Polsky.

Belief in climate change among Florida Republicans has climbed to nearly 9 out of 10 adults, apparently trending upwards, according to a new analysis of five sequenced surveys since 2019 conducted by the researchers at CES. The climate change issue may therefore no longer be an effective campaign trail theme for the state’s party leaders as both parties gear up for the mid-term elections.

Detailed results for this wave and four prior waves of surveying can be found by visiting our Florida Climate Resilience Survey webpage.

The results were featured in numerous media outlets—check out this article with ABC Action News in Tampa and our CES In the News page for others.

Loisa Kerwin, CES Assistant Director of Research Programs, retired in December 2021. During her time with CES, Ms. Kerwin managed CES’ Education & Research Programs at three locations: Riverwoods Field Lab in Highlands County; DuPuis Nature Center in Martin County; and the Huckshorn Arboretum at FAU’s MacArthur Campus in Palm Beach County. Since 2000, Ms. Kerwin served as the Director of the Riverwoods Field Laboratory located on the Kissimmee River, where she managed the lab in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and focused on restoration ecology highlighting the successful Kissimmee River Restoration Project.  Loisa created a notable impact with her leadership at CES.

In her 20+ years as Director of Riverwoods, Loisa hosted thousands of students, teachers and environmental professionals to learn about the restoration. She served a critical role supervising the support staff for the SFWMD’s scientific evaluation program and numerous FAU staff working directly on the research evaluation plan by conducting field research and support on numerous biological monitoring projects. Loisa developed a variety of field-based education programs including the Student Field Studies, Student Service-learning and Volunteer Program, Water Resources Education for Teachers, Agro-ecology for Educators, Eco-tours, Environmental Training for Adults and Professionals, and Underserved Community Outreach Programs. Ms. Kerwin conducted environmental presentations and training workshops for students, teachers and adult groups on environmental issues related to the greater Everglades restoration (Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee and Everglades) and Florida’s natural ecosystems. Thank you, Loisa, for all of your dedication and efforts with CES!

Amber Moore is the new Manager of the Riverwoods Field Lab. Through CES, Amber has supported our Riverwoods Field Lab Research and Outreach contract sponsored by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for the past 15 years. Amber started in 2006 as a Field Technician supporting the SFWMD’s ecological monitoring of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project. Amber leads the River Channel Vegetation studies that are part of the Kissimmee River Restoration Evaluation Program. She took advantage of the Employee Educational Scholarship Program at FAU and received her B.A. in Geography in 2013. With her degree and lead on research studies, Amber was promoted to Environmental Scientist in 2015. She is continuing her education by pursuing a master’s degree in the FAU Environmental Science Program. Working with advisor Dr. Scott Markwith, she is focusing on spatial and temporal dynamics of invasive vegetation on the Kissimmee River floodplain. The data from her thesis will help scientists determine the best management strategies for the Kissimmee River floodplain. Amber is excited about her new role and is ready to expand Riverwoods’ Explore the Kissimmee research and outreach program with FAU faculty and students.

CES recently published two videos to educate the public on the Kissimmee River and its restoration. Learn more about our two new videos below.

The Kissimmee River Restoration: Then and Now video provides an overview of the Kissimmee River’s rich history - the flooding, channelization, and ultimately, restoration. The video summarizes the research and engineering involved in completing the Kissimmee River Restoration project, the largest river restoration in the world. Watch the video to learn more.

The Kissimmee River: Food Web video uses the Kissimmee River as a model for students to understand the importance of Florida‘s wetlands. The video is designed for upper elementary and secondary students to learn about the food web dynamics, processes, flora, fauna and the scientific research being conducted as part of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project. Watch the video to learn more.

Additionally, CES has created a series of educational resources to accompany the videos, including plant and animal identification sheets, and lesson plans with student worksheets.