Public Discussion on the Everglades, Community Water Concerns and the Coming Coastal Crisis is being
Co-Hosted by Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches & the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County
(Lake Worth, FL – July 15, 2013) John A, Marshall, Board Chair of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades & Florida Environmental Institute, which champions the restoration and preservation of the greater ecosystem of Florida’s historic River of Grass, is announcing that the nonprofit organization will be co-hosting a SEA LEVEL RISE SYMPOSIUM. This critical and timely event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 26, at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach.
“It is particularly important to outline Sea Level Rise challenges to current science and engineering graduates because they are the ones who will inherit consequences of what previous generations left in their wake. Certainly, more consideration of the consequences of sea level rise is needed in long-range planning by local, county, state and federal governments, including educating the public about the probability of a markedly different coastal landscape in the years ahead. The SEA LEVEL RISE SYMPOSIUM will address these issues,” said Mr. Marshall, who also serves as spokesperson for the Florida Environmental Institute.
“That is why the Marshall Foundation and our Summer Interns are co-hosting this Symposium along with Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches and the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County,” said Mr. Marshall. “Our goal is bring more awareness to sea level rise and adaptations, such as Everglades Restoration, that can help mitigate these effects.”
Among the 45 experts speakers who will participate in a series of presentations, breakout sessions and workshops will be:
John Englander, oceanographer and author of High Tide on Man Street
Stan Bronson, executive director of the Florida Earth Foundation
Camille Coley, assistant vice president for research at Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Pat Gleason, PhD., former member of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and past president of the Grassy Waters Preserve
Anne Henderson, an engineer working with FAU on a NASA-funded curriculum on Climate Science Investigations
Gary Hines, senior vice president of development at the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Bonnie Lazar, president of the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches
Jim Murley, executive director of the South Florida Regional Planning Council
Jayantha Obeysekera, technical lead for climate change and sea level rise investigations for the South Florida Water Management District
Rep. Mark Pafford, member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2008
Robert Robbins, director for Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management
Chuck Shaw, chairman of the Palm Beach County School Board
Dr. Fred Sklar, Everglades division director for Watershed Management
Jon Van Arnam, assistant country administrator for Palm Beach County
Panel topics will include:
Sea Level Rise: Global, State & Regional Perspectives
To Build or Not to Build… Is that the Question?
Solutions & Adaptive Management
The Breakout Sessions will cover such areas as Everglades Restoration, Economic/Social Justice, Civic Engagement & Action, Education & Awareness, Regional Climate Action Plan and Environmental Effects.
“In addition the Marshall Foundation’s summer interns will present their research on previous ecosystem service valuations regarding Everglades restoration as a mitigating factor to the detrimental effects created by the rising sea level, said Mr. Marshall. “Their fresh views and innovative solutions will add an exciting dimension to the diverse ideas expressed by the symposium experts.”
The SEA LEVEL RISE SYMPOSIUM is open to the public, community leaders, policy makers, government officials and employees, scientists and teachers. The cost to attend is only $30 per person and reservations can be made online at www.artmarshall.org/registration.
Scholarships to attend this Symposium are available for high school teachers and both high school and college students. Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities also are available. For more information, please call 561.233.9004.
About the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County:
The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is a nonpartisan political organization of women and men of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging informed and active participation in government. The League’s goal is to encourage active and informed participation in government through education and advocacy. For more information, please call 561.276.4898 or visit www.lwvpbc.org.
About Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches:
Oxbridge Academy is an independent college preparatory school for young men and women in grades nine through twelve. Regardless of economic background, our students have access to the best teachers and technology to learn the skills they need to be tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
At Oxbridge Academy students fall in love with learning. It is located at 3151 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.oapb.org.
About the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades:
Based in Palm Beach County, the Marshall Foundation champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem through science-based education and outreach programs. Annually, more than 25,000 elementary and high school students in Palm Beach County actively participate in the Marshall Foundation’s various education programs.
Founded in 1998, the nonprofit organization has in recent years awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships and internships, planted nearly 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, and involved more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects. For more information about the Marshall Foundation, please call 561.233.9004 or visit www.artmarshall.org.