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3 Big RESET Events, 5 Hellos,
and 3 Goodbyes...
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We've got lots of news to share, so we'll get straight to it: | |
A Message From Our President... | |
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Linda Sechrist, President
SWFL RESET Center
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The Time Is Now
Activists, like those of us at RESET who give of our time and talents to ensure the future of Southwest Florida’s precious and unique environment, must stay informed, motivated, and most importantly, inspired. Creative problem-solving, networking, and working to collaborate with other local organizations requires a positive mindset to override the negativity, polarity, and divisiveness surrounding current events. continue...
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Register Now for These Upcoming
RESET CONVERSATION Zoom Events:
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Help Keep RESETS' Good Work Going... | |
RESET Adds 2 New Board Members | |
RESET's board of trustees is growing with two fresh faces. Meet our newest members: | |
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Robin Serne is an environmental scientist, shorebird biologist, nature enthusiast, and volunteer coordinator. She currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator at Calusa Waterkeeper, where she also provides grant writing services and fundraising assistance.
Robin found her passion for shorebirds in Southwest Florida while working with the Audubon Southwest Florida chapter. She is looking forward to growing her connections to the community and the planet through her time on the board at the RESET Center.
Learn more about Robin here.
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Graham Scott is a retired engineer born and raised in Sydney, Australia. Graham brings a passion for the mitigation of human-exacerbated climate change, sustainable farming, clean water, and soil regeneration for agriculture to the board. His connections with the international maritime industry keep him abreast of renewable energy and technologies for the reduction of carbon and methane emissions.
Graham has hit the ground running as a RESET board member and treasurer.
You can learn more about Graham here.
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We Welcome New Board Advisor, Nora Demers, Ph.D. | |
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NORA DEMERS, PH.D
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
Florida Gulf Coast University
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Nora Demers is an Associate Professor of Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. She teaches undergraduate courses in Biology, interdisciplinary science, and interdisciplinary studies. Her scholarship focus is on endocrine disruption. Professional memberships include the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, (AAAS), the National Sciences Teachers Association (NSTA), the Society for Freshwater Scientists, the Gopher Tortoise Council, and Sigma Xi.
Dr. Demers's work has been published in Fish and Shellfish Immunology, Journal of College Science Teaching, Council on Undergraduate Research Quarterly, and International Journal of E-Learning. Learn more about Nora here.
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RESET Salutes KC Shulberg;
Outgoing Collier County Waterkeeper
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KC SHULBERG
Outgoing Collier County Waterkeeper, SWFL RESET Center Friend
Recently, our good friend and colleague KC Schulberg announced he’ll be leaving his post as Collier County Waterkeeper to pursue new projects in Oklahoma.
KC brought a rare set of world-class gifts to his role as Waterkeeper, along with a deep fervor for education and outreach programs with the Collier County community and elected officials and agencies – all for the betterment of our endangered waterways and environment.
During his tenure with CCWK, KC broadcasted live daily reports from the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, and from COP27 in Egypt.
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He has directed numerous documentaries on climate change, including the highly acclaimed Eternal Vigilance and The Urgency of Now.
As CCWK, Shulberg marshaled global and local scientists in addressing the threats our waters face here in Southwest Florida. Prior to his watch as CCWK, KC served as Colusa Waterkeeper.
He has been a staunch friend of our environment and SWFL RESET Center.
We salute you KC, for your many accomplishments on behalf of our environment, for the myriad causes you've championed, and distinguished ways you have helped make Collier County a better place to live. Oklahoma is very lucky indeed.
| KC Shulberg is a renowned filmographer and climate activist in the fight for a better environment. | |
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A Hearty Welcome to Ray Bearfield,
Collier County's New Waterkeeper
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RAY BEARFIELD
Collier County Waterkeeper
Congratulations to Ray Bearfield, Collier County’s new Waterkeeper. Ray joins CCWK after serving the Florida environmental community in a variety of important ways.
While at the Florida Department of Natural Resources, he created strategic environmental education programs for elected officials to aid economic growth through the protection of our local waters.
Previously, Bearfield served as an educator at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and as editor of The Naples Daily News. He has published numerous articles on conservation and the SWFL environment.
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Bearfield has been a consistent voice for environmental action and changes through his literary contributions there and with organizations including the Miami Herald, the Coastal Conservation Association, and Florida Sportsman. Ray, we’re very glad you’re here! | | |
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Check out the new "Conversations"
and "Blog" pages on our website:
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Press the image above to visit "Conversations" and find links to upcoming Conversations, as well as recorded videos of past sessions. | |
Press the above image to read timely articles on topics near and dear to the collective SWFL RESET heart on our new blog. | |
Gratitude and Warmest Wishes to Sarah Owen... | |
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SARA OWEN
Outgoing CEO, Collaboratory
After 12 plus highly successful years, Sarah Owen is stepping down as President and CEO of Collaboratory, one of SWFL’s largest nonprofits.
Sarah will continue to serve as a vice president and vice provost at FGCU.
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Formerly known as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Collaboratory was rebranded and transformed by Owen’s vision, executive team building, and strategic initiatives.
Amid many other achievements, Owen grew Collaboratory’s assets from roughly $52 million to nearly $180 million. Owen’s “Big Idea” thinking has led to a host of other key successes for the organization – and Southwest Floridians.
One of her most recent projects involves charting a mission and path for solving some of the largest social issues and challenges the area faces – including the lack of affordable housing, homelessness, mental illness, and institutional racism - within the next 18 years. While the objective sounds daunting, Owen leaves behind a skilled and equipped team to carry out the mission.
RESET is proud to be part of the Collaboratory "family". We salute Sarah, for all she has invested in SWFL, the good works she’s accomplished, and her legacy of Big Ideas.
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Thank you, John Cassani,
Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus
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This past December, John Cassani retired from his post as Calusa Waterkeeper, a position he held for the past 7 years. Many of you know John and his remarkable work at CWK; he's been a staunch defender of our waterways and a good friend to South West Florida.
From the Calusa Waterkeeper website...
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JOHN CASSANI
Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus
John’s professional career as an ecologist started here in Lee County in 1978 after receiving degrees in Biology and Fish and Wildlife. From 1978 to 2014 he worked as a resource manager for local government, managing the waterways of Southwest Florida.
He has authored both peer-reviewed scientific publications and popular media sources on resource management, history, water policy, and conservation issues. His service on advisory boards, his commitment to community, and his involvement with land and water conservation have led to recognition from various civic groups, including the Florida Audubon Society, Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management, Lee County Government, the Everglades Coalition, the American Fisheries Society, and the Alberta provincial government.
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In November 2016, John accepted the position of Calusa Waterkeeper, a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance. In December 2022, John retired and the board bestowed the title of Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus to honor his incredible service and leadership. | | |
... and Congratulations to the New Calusa Waterkeeper, Codty Pierce | |
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CODTY PIERCE
Calusa Waterkeeper
| Codty Pierce is a lifelong resident of the Caloosahatchee watershed. Growing up along one of its many tributaries helped shape his passion, love, and admiration for the area’s history and biodiversity. | |
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This complex ecosystem that has supported flourishing civilizations longer than a written record, has been a natural inspiration to him while growing up in the community.
Codty’s early background in reptiles, wetland restoration, and native plant landscaping coupled with a career as a professional fishing guide has created a unique collage of in-the-field experience across local uplands, wetlands, estuaries, and nearshore Gulf waters. To protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to Coastal Waters is the mission–and in Codty you will find the passion to unite and protect this special watershed.
Learn more about Calusa Waterkeeper here.
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Coming Soon to All SWFL RESET Members:
The Being A Good Neighbor Course.
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In January of this year, a group of 35 Floridians came together to explore issues of indigenous sovereignty, justice, and U.S. history from the perspective of indigenous peoples. RESET cares deeply about America's indigenous people and together with members of the Miccosukee tribe and the UUC, contributed to the curriculum and participated in this program as a means to explore it as a RESET initiative. We're happy to announce that RESET has received funding to continue this valuable program. "Being A Good Neighbor" will be open to our entire RESET community. We will be scheduling the first open course for early 2024. (Look for invitations in future editions of this newsletter).
To learn more about this important program and our discoveries, visit our new GOOD NEIGHBOR initiative page.
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Memories from April 22nd's BIG MAMMA DAY with Miccosukee Tribe and Love The Everglades Friends... | | | | |
