A new federal law (The “Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012”) reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years. At the same time, a provision of the law (Section 100215) establishes a “Technical Mapping Advisory Council.” This Council is to make recommendations on mapping standards and guidelines for flood insurance rate maps.…
Florida Sea Grant partnered with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (Apalachicola NERR) to bring the workshop “Adaptive Planning for Coastal Change–Legal Issues for Local Government” to the Florida Panhandle on August 9, 2012. The full AGENDA is available at this link. The workshop presented local government planners and attorneys with the science of sea-level…
Originally conceived at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, World Oceans Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate our world and own personal connection to the sea. Floridians should have a special place in their hearts for our oceans, for our connection is direct and profound. We have more than 1,300 miles…
The guide is a companion to the popular boat ramp and marina locator map for Citrus County. Scallopers, rejoice! Just in time for the start of the 2012 scalloping season, Florida Sea Grant has published the boat ramp and marina locator map, “Recreational Harvesting of the Florida Bay Scallop: Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach Areas.” Inside,…
Sea Grant researchers apply new technology to help decision making for post-disaster recovery in Sarasota County How to best redevelop after a storm? It’s a challenging question coastal communities must answer once basic order is restored after a storm catastrophe. In Sarasota County, Florida, community leaders are getting ahead of the game. With Sea Grant…
The second in a series of marine sanctuary books edited by Florida Sea Grant marine extension agent Maia McGuire has now been published. “Explore the West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries” is available through Ocean Publishing, a publisher located in Flagler Beach, Fla., who approaced McGuire about compiling materials for the series. The 350-page book has…
Three graduate students at Florida universities have been named recipients of scholarships from the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science. The winners are Jeffrey Ellis, a master’s student at Nova Southeastern University; Christy Foust, a doctoral student at University of South Florida; and Michael Dickson, a master’s student at University of Florida. Since…
Florida Sea Grant is partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Florida Center for Environmental Studies to provide information to water managers on how climate change may affect future water in south Florida. The availability of water is always a concern in populous southern Florida, both for the people who live there and the…
A record five graduate students at universities in Florida have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as winners of the Guy Harvey Scholarship, recognizing their outstanding achievement in marine science research. The winners are Felipe Carvalho and Sarah Stephens, University of Florida; M. Laura Habegger, University of South Florida; Sean Bignami, University of Miami; and Kier Smith,…
Florida Sea Grant, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Lee and Pinellas county extension offices hosted the workshops “Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level Rise: Legal Issues for Local Government” on January 18 and 19 in Lee and Pinellas counties, respectively. The workshops includes and overview of the science and predictions of sea-level rise for…