PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Becoming a Florida Friendly Native Lecture Series

Becoming a Florida Friendly Native Lecture Series

About
The Florida Friendly Native Lecture Series hosted by the Greenscape Alliance at Collier County Library’s Headquarters Branch invites guests to learn more about how to live in concert with Florida nature and become a Florida Friendly Native. Each talk features experts focusing on a unique topic impacting communities in Southwest Florida.

Duration
2 Hours

What’s included:
CEUs available: FNGLA (2 credits), FDACS (2 credits)

March 17, 2025 | Planting to Protect our Communities and Pollinators

Maintaining Plantings for Insects and Pollinators
Dr. Joyce Fassbender, FGCU

Nature-Based Solutions: Resilient native landscapes for stormwater, dunes, and coastal communities
Chad Washburn, Naples Botanical Garden

About the Speakers
Dr. Joyce Fassbender is an entomologist in the Biological Sciences department at Florida Gulf Coast University and an Ambassador for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She has taught classes in biological sciences and entomology at the college level for over 20 years. Her research interests include insect biodiversity, pollinator/plant interactions, and carrion-feeding insect biodiversity and nutrition.

Chad Washburn is the Vice President of Conservation at Naples Botanical Garden and the Center for Nature-Based Solutions at Naples Botanical Garden. He is responsible for the development of the Garden’s plant conservation strategy and implementation of the program. Chad leads the Conservation and Natural Resources team, focusing on projects that ensure the long-term survival of the flora and ecosystems of South Florida and the Caribbean region through integrated plant conservation efforts. These efforts include natural resource management, seed banking, conservation plant collections development, threat assessments, restoration and resiliency projects, and capacity building in the region. Throughout his time at the Garden, he has led efforts to address the region’s most pressing challenges through nature-based solutions, including restoration of coastal beach dune plant communities, development of resilient urban forests, and stormwater management.

April 9, 2025 | Valuing Water in Our Community

Drip Irrigation and Water Conservation
Ryan Czaplewski, UF/IFAS Collier County

The Importance of Ecosystem Services for our Community
Dr. Robert Lucius, CREW Land & Water Trust

About the Speakers
Ryan Czaplewski is the Commercial Horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Collier County. He has a Master’s degree in Soil and Water Sciences from the University of Florida.

Robert (Bob) Lucius is a retired U.S. Marine who joined the CREW Land & Water Trust after a long and varied career in government, academia and the nonprofit sector in the United States and abroad. Since relocating to SWFL, Bob has taught sustainability courses at Florida Gulf Coast University. He is a graduate of Norwich University, National University, the Naval Postgraduate School, George Washington University and Fielding Graduate University, where he received his Ph.D. in Organizational Development & Change. Bob and his wife Casey have a son and several rescue cats who fill their lives with affection and occasional terror.

April 16, 2025 | Understanding Urban Tree Needs

Selecting Trees for a Beautiful and Resilient Future
Dr. Andrew Koeser, University of Florida

Planting and Maintaining Urban Trees
Clark Ryals, Florida Forest Service

City of Naples – Tree City USA
Heather Shields, City of Naples

About the Speakers
Dr. Andrew Koeser is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, specializing in arboriculture, urban forestry, and tree biomechanics. His research focuses on urban tree species diversity, storm resiliency, and incentive programs for tree planting and preservation. Outside academia, he enjoys biking, spending time with his four daughters, and walking his basset hound, Chewbarka.

Heather Shields serves as the Urban Forest Manager for the City of Naples. She is responsible for the urban forest as well as landscaping on City property. The review of demolition, building, and right-of-way permitting for compliance with the City’s Tree Protection ordinance as well as Planning and Design Review petition for developments are reviewed by Heather to ensure no negative impacts on the Urban Forest or public landscaping. Community relations and developing related community education information relating to the urban forest and landscape management is part of her duties. Heather holds International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist & Urban Forest Professional credentials and is also Tree Risk Assessment Qualified & Prescription Pruning Qualified. She is a member-at-large to the Florida Urban Forest Council.

ECOTOUR WORKSHOPS

Spring & Fall

ECOTOUR WORKSHOPS

Join us on April 18th, 2025 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (EDT)


About the Workshop:

Rookery Bay NERR and Audubon Florida have partnered together to learn more about Florida’s nesting birds and their identification.

This workshop will help you identify our local water birds out in the field, as well as what to do when you and your tours encounter nesting flocks.

During this workshop you will:

  • Learn how to identify water birds
  • Become familiar with best practices on the beach
  • Gain knowledge on Critical Wildlife Areas

Cost: $5

Audience: This is a workshop created exclusively for environmental-based tourism companies and their guides who would like to learn more about conserving our unique environments in Southwest Florida.

Important Note: this workshop will be hosted outdoors at Kice Island. If you are unable to meet us on the island, please reach out to [email protected] for travel accommodations.

Speakers:

Megan HattenSouthwest Florida Shorebird Project Manager, Audubon Florida
Derek SalgeAvian Specialist, Rookery Bay NERR

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RESILIENT FLORIDA TRAINING SERIES

RESILIENT FLORIDA TRAINING SERIES

Hosted by the Rookery Bay Research Reserve, Coastal Training Program
Course: Flooding Hazards: Science & Preparedness (AWR-362)

Date: November 14, 2024
Time:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (US/Eastern) 

Location:
Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services
8075 Lely Cultural Pkwy #445
Naples, FL 34113

Link to Register: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/3725/ 

Description:

Flooding Hazards: Science and Preparedness is an awareness-level, eight-hour course that addresses the current science of the causes of floods (both meteorological and otherwise), flood forecasting, flood risk assessment, and best practices for preparation and mitigation for both short- and long-fuse flooding events.  Key concepts and discussion topics will be reinforced with facilitator-led group activities that utilize real-world flood scenarios.

Course: Nature-Based Solutions for Mitigating Hazards (MGT-484)

Date: November 15, 2024
Time:
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (US/Eastern) 

Location:
Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services
8075 Lely Cultural Pkwy #445
Naples, FL 34113

Link to Register: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/3363/ 

Description:

This half-day (4-hour) management-level course aims to highlight nature-based solutions as important and effective tools for mitigating hazards and climate impacts.

Interested in the series or want to recommend a program need? Please contact Marissa Figueroa at [email protected]

MANGROVE TRIMMING

MANGROVE TRIMMING & REGULATIONS

More Information Coming Soon!

Mas Informacion Muy Pronto!

PAST TRAININGS & EVENTS

SOUTH FLORIDA'S SOCIAL COAST GATHERING

South Florida’s Social Coast Gathering

Virtual Gathering to Explore the People Side of Coastal Management
March 8, 2022
12:00PM – 4:00PM ET
For the last decade, every two years in February, coastal practitioners have been gathered by NOAA at the Social Coast Forum to highlight the importance of social sciences in coastal management. Unfortunately, the global pandemic has changed our plans for the Forum in 2022. Instead of an in-person event in Charleston, the Forum will happen through locally-hosted gatherings and you’re invited!

In our world now, it is so important to try to reach people where they are—in their communities and regions. Happening across the nation, the Local Gatherings will do just that. These will be spaces for participants to have deep discussions on locally relevant coastal issues, social science methods and practices, and living in coastal communities.

The impacts of climate change on our coasts have become more clear and compelling and understanding how the impacts on our communities is essential. Join us to hear from your peers, meet new colleagues, and expand your network. You will learn about several social science methods that could change the way you think about your work. We can learn and perhaps even solve some problems together. We hope to see you there!

SCIENCE SOLUTIONS

Science Solutions Online Series:
Working Together to Protect Rookery Bay

June - October, 2020
In our online 2020 Science Solutions series, you can learn about the conservation work happening at Rookery Bay with a FREE webinar and then take it to the next level by participating in an interactive skill building workshop.
Learn how the research at Rookery Bay resulted in changes to spraying techniques and how current mosquito control is driven by integrative pest management.

Speakers: Dr. Michael Shirley & Dr. Keira Lucas
June 18, 2020 – Click to View Recording

Explore and understand established social science methods to help increase your capacity to deal with the human dimensions of an environmental issue.

Speakers: Brenna Sweetman & Chris Ellis
June 30 & July 1, 2020

Learn how scientists are working with community leaders to address climate change threats like sea level rise and increased hurricane intensity.

Speakers: Dr. Mike Savarese, Linda Penniman, & Kevin Godsea
July 9, 2020 WEBINAR – Download PDF of the Presentation

Stories and storytelling are essential for turning our evidence into action. How people understand their communities, their environment, their politics, and even themselves is driven in significant part by story.

Speakers: Jason Jordan & Liz Lang
July 28 & 29, 2020

Learn how the second chance critical wildlife area was created and how you can help protect shorebirds as a volunteer.

Speakers: Brad Cornell, Adam DiNuovo, & Keith Laakkonen
August 6, 2020 WEBINAR – Click to view Recording

Learn how to engage your audience and design effective PowerPoint slides.

Speaker: Cathy Angell
August 20, 2020

Learn how this project addressed the issues of altered freshwater flows through hydrologic, ecologic, and social science research, education, and partnerships.

Speaker: Tabitha Stadler
September 8, 2020 WEBINAR – Click to view Recording

In this workshop, you will learn about the ways mental and cultural models contribute to conflict and collaboration by participating in a situation map activity.

Speaker: Chris Feurt
September 24, 2020

Learn how scientific research is bringing mangroves back to life on Marco Island and why it’s important to you.

Speakers: Ken Krauss & Corey Anderson
October 13, 2020 WEBINAR – Click to View Recording

Learn how ecosystem services can be used to investigate and communicate the benefits of managing natural coastal areas.

Speaker: Sara Mason
October 21 & 22, 2020

Stay Connected with Us!

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Receive notifications about local professional development opportunities including workshops, webinars, research updates, and other events at Rookery Bay!

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Coastal Training Program E-Newsletter

Reciba notificaciones sobre oportunidades locales de desarrollo profesional que incluyen talleres, seminarios en linea, actualizaciones de investigaciones y otros eventos en Rookery Bay.