Professor Wanless speaks at Top Environmental Conference

Professor Harold Wanless, Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences was the keynote speaker at the 2008 Everglades Coalition Annual Conference on Saturday, January 12. Speaking about the need to restore the Everglades, Dr. Wanless was quoted in the Palm Beach Post, “Everglades restoration is more important than ever.” The restoration plan calls for recreating enough of the marsh’s natural flow to rebuild eroded wetlands, hold back saltwater and protect freshwater drinking supplies for south Florida’s growing population.

Professor Wanless warned of severe damage to Florida’s coastal areas from rising sea waters due to climate change, and emphasized the question of how much time the Everglades has left. That caught the attention of leading appointees of Governor Charlie Crist, who also spoke at the four-day conference. Governor Crist made the fight against global warming one of his major environmental initiatives. Wanless offered hope that restoring the Everglades can postpone some of the damage if it is done right.

The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of 45 local, state and national conservation and environmental organizations dedicated to full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem. The annual Everglades Coalition Conference seeks to raise issues for open discussion, provide a forum for political figures to discuss their positions and pledge support. The conference is attended by a wide range of decision makes from federal, state, local and tribal governments, as well as public and private stakeholders, scientists, educators, students and the general public.

February 4, 2008