A report on the Economics of the Everglades Watershed

For ArtMarshall.org S&T Committee and interested parties;

It looks like the Everglades Foundation has put some resources to seriously good use, by engaging FAU to do a study on the "Economics of the Everglades Watershed and Estuaries", available on the link listed below.
HERE

There is also a salient report at OVER HERE
AND HERE
Eric Draper has used this reference in a recent paper.

All this confirms that our suggestion today to EvCo that ESV be considered as a breakout panel is a good one, and that the ESV approach does hold the potential of a paradigm shift for establishing the economic value of wetlands and estuaries, in dollars Congress and the public can understand.

Although we made the suggestion for a 2010 EvCo Conference breakout session on the ESV approach, TBD, we did leave open the possibility that this should be covered in a plenary.

Kudos for the Everglades Foundation for going in this direction. Valuing ecosystem services for better environmental decision-making needs wide-based support.

2009 Interns--the final word

We spent this morning reviewing the fine work that our most recent crop of interns produced, and brainstorming how we can improve next year's program. Thanks go out to the supporters of the Summer Intern Program, as well as Board Members who put in so much time to make it such a success.

Let us leave you with a version of the 2009 Summer Intern's graduation presentation from August 6, 2009. Here is part one--be sure to watch all 4 parts!

Best of the Interns--2009

SIP River of Grass presentation

As promised in the previous posting--we are supplying a version the presentation that our Summer Interns delivered to the River of Grass Planning Session on August 4, 2009. The presentation, entitled Valuing Ecosystem Services, attempts to persuade the SFWMD to consider placing a monetary value on the ecosystem goods and services provided by the features of the various ROG plans. When the 'live' version becomes available--we will attempt to bring that to you as well.

Thanks again to our 2009 SIP graduates for their tremendous work!

Celebrating our Summer Interns

This is a busy week for our group of five, industrious interns. On Tuesday (August 4) they made a presentation to the Water Resource Advisory Committee during the River of Grass planning session. The presentation, entitled Valuing Ecosystem Services, was simulcast via the web, and should soon be available to download online. The interns were clear, concise and engaging. The audience of political leaders, senior scientists, government policy makers and NGO Everglades advocates all applauded their work. We are very proud of their performance!

On Thursday, the group will be making their graduation presentation at 33480 Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach. This annual event gives the interns a chance to reflect and review their eleven-week internship and to thank the many mentors who have helped them succeed. The event begins at 5:30pm and the cost is only $35. Tickets are still available--call 561-805-8733 for reservations and more information.

About the photo: Once again, Senator Bob Graham served as a mentor for the 2009 Interns. The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation thanks Senator Graham for his support of the Everglades and of the Summer Intern Program.

UPDATE--when the presentation becomes available online, you will find it here: https://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pageid=2814,22134068&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL