There is a potentially dire situation for the Florida Sea Grant program unfolding in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, March 28, the President sent Congress a request for drastic cuts to many government programs related to everything from the environment to health and human services and education – in order to immediately free-up funds to increase defense spending.
Two graduate students at Florida universities have received the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, recognizing their outstanding achievement in marine and coastal policy research.
In her new role, the former coordinator for the state’s coral reef conservation will be developing programs related to community resiliency, water access and responsible use of natural resources.
The statewide competition is open to any principal investigator at any of the universities in Florida who has documented expertise in the specific area of proposed research.
Aquaculturist Kevan Main will be recognized as one of 12 “Champions of Change” for her development of re-circulating systems that farm marine fish while fertilizing salt-loving plants.
In his more than 15 years at Florida Sea Grant, LeRoy Creswell has managed a volunteer-based program to restore degraded oyster reefs and improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.
This fellowship is designed to provide a post-graduate who majored in environmental science or policy with the opportunity of hands-on experience in state government.
Jason Evans, a Florida Sea Grant researcher, is finding ways for local governments in several cities, including Satellite Beach, to best adapt to sea-level rise. Part of Evans’ research is mapping how vulnerable public facilities such as stormwater drainage systems, fire stations and wastewater treatment plants are to rising seas.
Since 1986, the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science has supported university students in academic disciplines related to the marine environment. Aylesworth scholarships in excess of $581,000 have been awarded to more than 100 students at 14 Florida universities.
A new scholarship sponsored by Florida Sea Grant and the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station will offer $10,000 to a UF graduate student researching Florida’s Nature Coast.