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Audubon Assembly

Audubon Assembly 2019

Water and Land For Florida's Future: Science-Based Strategies for Clean Water and Healthy Watersheds October 25-26, 2019

By Audubon Staff

August 01, 2019

By Audubon Staff

August 01, 2019
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Join us in Gainesville for Florida’s premier conservation gathering, where grassroots leaders from around the state connect with Audubon’s professional staff and partners to grow their knowledge and skills to protect Florida’s precious natural resources.

  • Date: October 25-26, 2019
  • Location/Lodging: Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, 1714 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32607. 
  • Field Trips: Explore Alachua County with local guides! Visit our Field Trips page for all of the details.*   
  • Registration:  Sold out***

Sponsors


The 2019 Audubon Assembly was made possible by our sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Darden Restaurants, Florida Power & Light Co., Duke Energy Foundation, Covanta Energy, Publix Supermarkets, Rayonier, Vulcan Materials, Holbrook Travel, Beach Community Bank, FIPR Institute, Guest Services, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, and Visit Gainesville.

Schedule of Events (click here for at-a-glance schedule PDF)

 
Thursday
  • Early-bird Reception
 
Friday
  • Expert-led Field Trips
  • Welcome Luncheon
  • Learning Sessions (see descriptions below)
  • Welcome Reception
  • Keynote Presentation with Dr. Thomas Frazer
  • Awards Banquet
  •  
Saturday
  • Networking Breakfast
  • Chapters' Celebration 
  • 2020 Conservation Action Agenda Setting Session
  • Plenary Session:

As critical as water is to our state’s well-being, competing demands and impacts have brought Florida to an inflection point. Decisive leadership to safeguard our valuable resource will be the greatest determinant of Florida’s future prosperity. Our panel of leaders, experts, and decision-makers from state agencies and the legislature will discuss current challenges: nutrient pollution from urban and agricultural landscapes, wastewater and septic tanks, wastewater sludge (biosolids), aging infrastructure, wetland loss, and climate change. Listen, learn, and engage with them as they identify both our biggest obstacles but also our biggest opportunities. Together we will discuss programs that offer short and long-term solutions to improve the quality and quantity of Florida’s water resources. 

  • Florida Audubon Society Annual Meeting
 
Learning Sessions
Growing Climate Change Advocates from Community Science Programs
Audubon’s community science programs - EagleWatch, JayWatch, and Coastal Bird Stewardship - put knowledge and experience squarely in the hands of conservation-minded people who can move the advocacy needle in favor of climate change adaptation. In this session, we will explore the ways in which community scientists have evolved into successful conservation advocates and tools we can use to influence bird-life resilience in a future already characterized by climate change.
Moderator: Marianne Korosy, Ph.D.
Panelists: Joshua Romero, Shawnlei Breeding, Jacqui Sulek
 
Treatment Wetlands: Bird Habitat That Improves Water Quality
Florida’s water quality woes are widespread, and dealing with them will require a range of solutions as diverse as the problems. Properly designed and sited treatment wetlands are an emerging solution that not only improves water quality, but replaces lost wildlife habitat and creates unique educational and ecotourism opportunities. This session will explore the characteristics that make a good treatment wetland, ancillary benefits that should be considered during project design, and suggestions on how to advocate for new projects.
Moderator: Chris Farrell
 
Trees, Cows, and Wetlands: The Role of Agriculture in Florida's Watersheds
Agriculture doesn't just produce our food and fiber, it also affects our watersheds. It is not just a source of nutrients, it also protects wetland functions and can sequester carbon. Conserving natural lands; safeguarding our water supply; promoting water conservation; protecting and restoring water quality; and addressing climate change and community resilience are our priorities. Come learn about the innovations in agriculture that are working to protect Florida's landscapes.
Moderator: Beth Alvi

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