FORCE
Friends of the Rivers Coalition E-Newsletter
March 2016
 
 
The Rivers Coalition meeting is this coming Wednesday, March 30th at 6:00 pm. The meeting is open to the public and there is plenty of free parking available. We'll even have coffee and cookies.
 
Our guest speakers this month will be:
Shannon A. Estenoz
Director, Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives
U.S. Department of the Interior
& 
Robert Johnson
Director, South Florida Natural Resources Center
National Park Service, Everglades N.P.
 
Shannon A. Estenoz
 
Shannon A. Estenoz is a fifth generation Key West native. She holds degrees in International Affairs as well as Civil Engineering from Florida State University. Shannon’s Everglades career spans nineteen years during which she has been an advocate for the restoration and protection of the Everglades. Shannon launched her Everglades’-career as the Executive Director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Center. In 1997, she joined the World Wildlife Fund as its Everglades field representative and would later become the Everglades Program Director and later served as the Sun Coast Regional Director of the National Parks Conservation Association. Shannon also served three terms as the National Co-Chair of the Everglades Coalition.
 
In 2010 Shannon was appointed by the US Department of the Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, as the Department’s Director of Everglades Restoration Initiatives where she coordinates the Department’s restoration efforts as well as serves as the Executive Director of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.
Throughout Shannon’s career she has been recognized for her contributions to Everglades Restoration. Most recently she received the 2009 George Barley Conservationist of the Year Award from the Everglades Coalition, the 2010 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Environmental Award from Friends of the Everglades, and the 2010 Champion of the Everglades Award from Audubon of Florida.
 
Robert Johnson 
 
Robert received a BS in Geology in 1979 and an MS in Environmental Sciences/Water Resources in 1983 from the University of Virginia.  He started working for the National Park Service in Everglades National Park in 1983 as a Hydrologist.  He served as a Supervisory Hydrologist, and branch chief for the Physical Resources and Ecosystem Analysis and Modeling branches beginning in 1989.  This work focused on the hydrology and ecology of the Everglades, and scientific support for the implementation of Everglades restoration actions. 
 
In 1995 Robert became the Director of the South Florida Natural Resources Center.  Robert oversees an NPS team of approximately 90 scientists, engineers, and support staff focused on preserving and restoring the natural resources of the south Florida parks, as part of the greater Everglades ecosystem.  Robert has extensive expertise in south Florida hydrology, the management of water resources in south Florida, and he serves as a restoration science adviser to DOI and the Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives.  
 
The presentation topic for the March meeting is:
2016 Management Measures to Increase Flow to Everglades National Park
 
Get the facts! Stay informed! Be involved! 
 
Missed a past meeting? Go to our Youtube channel!
 
 
 
Agenda for Wednesday March 30th, 2016

Meeting Wednesday March 30th, 2016

6:00 - 7:30 pm at: City of Stuart Commission Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
 
Please Silence Your Cell Phones!
 
 
Business Matters
  • Chairman’s Comments - Mark Perry
  • Special Presentation by Shannon A. Estenoz and Robert Johnson
  • River Kidz of Martin County - Nic Mader/Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch 
  • Speakers Bureau - Todd Weissing
Government & Agency Progress Reports
  • Martin County - Deborah Drum/Don Donaldson
  • South Florida Water Mgmt District - 
  • FDEP - 
Coalition Reports
  • Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality - Mark Perry 
  • WRAC “Water Resources Advisory Commission” Mark Perry
  • Indian Riverkeeper Update - Marty Baum
  • Federal & State Issues-CERP/IRL & Lake Okeechobee - Kevin Henderson / Paul Gray
 
New Business
Press Conference to Save Our Rivers
On February 26th, Captains for Clean Water were joined by Local Business Owners, Politicians, members of the press and citizens from the Martin County community at the Downtown Stuart Riverwalk Stage to bring attention to the diminishing river quality.
 
Rivers Coalition Board Members Mike Conner and Kenny Hinkle Jr. (pictured below) were instrumental in organizing this highly attended Press Conference.
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 







 
 
 
Rivers Coalition Resolution
On Thursday, March 10th, Mark Perry, Darrell Brand, and Jim Moir presented the Rivers Coalition Resolution at the South Florida Water Management District meeting in West Palm Beach.  
 

 



Martin County River Kidz
Calling All River Kidz!!!
 
Youth Driven Cinema 2016: K-12 Student Film Festival


The Youth Driven Cinema event takes place April 29th at the Lyric Theatre and tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office. They are $10 for adults and $5 for kids with 100% of ticket sale proceeds going to camp scholarships at Environmental Studies Center.
Youth Driven Cinema is the first event of its' kind in Martin County and will be held at The Lyric Theatre April 29th, 2016 (doors open at 6:00).

 
Tickets may be purchased at The Lyric Theatre or follow this link:  Online Ticket Sales
 
 
For more information: Click Here: Youth Driven Cinema
 
 Sponsored By:
PicturePicture
 
 
 
River Kidz Workbook Workshop 
 
The River Kidz send a big thank you to Crystal Lucas, Valerie Gaynor and Nathaniel Osborne for their help in making the Workbook Workshop a huge success. The workshop was attended by teachers from Elementary, Middle and High Schools across Martin County.




 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 
 
  
 
Click here to view a copy of the Marty the Manatee Workbook!
 
10 Things Every River Kid Should Know!
 
How to Become a RiverKidz Member!
 
Follow RiverKidz on Facebook! 
 
 
Speakers Bureau
 
 If you are interested in having a representative of the Rivers Coalition speak to your group, please contact Todd Weissing at 772-223-6743 or by email at info@riverscoalition.org 
Get informed, be active and be part of the solution to help our river!
Holy Redeemer Women's Guild
On March 2nd, Darrell Brand spoke to the Holy Redeemer Women's Guild in Palm City.  It was well attended and the group was enthralled with his presentation. 
 
 
Special Events
Congratulations Frank and Joan Harvey!!!
 
On Saturday, March 12th, Joan Kennedy and Frank Harvey were wed.
"We wish you a long and happy life together."
 
Frank and Joan generously named the Rivers Coalition as their "in lieu of gifts" beneficiary.  We greatly appreciate their generosity and the generosity of their guests!
 
Save the Date:  Saturday May 21st
Lost River Fishing Tournament
More Information will be provided in the April Force Newsletter or Click Here:  Lost River Fishing Tournament
 
 

2016 Meeting Schedule
The 2016 meetings will be held at
City Hall – Commissions Chamber
121 SW Flagler Ave Stuart, FL 34994  
 
 
Wednesday, March 30th   6:00 pm
 
Thursday, April 28th  11:00 am
 
Thursday, May 26th  11:00 am
 
Wednesday, June 29th  6:00 pm
 
Thursday, July 28th  11:00 am 
 
Thursday, August 25th  11:00 am
 
Wednesday, Sept 28th  6:00 pm
 
Thursday, October 27th  11:00 am
 
Meetings will not be held in November and December
 
 
For updates you can visit our Facebook Page, click below:
 

 

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Thank you for all your support.
 
Editors: Jill Pinkham & Katherine Luger
 
PO Box 2627 
Stuart, Fl 34995 
 
772-225-6849 
www.RiversCoalition.org
 
 
Rivers Coalition  •  PO Box 2627  •  Stuart, FL 34995
http://riverscoalition.org
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