Interns make a splash at the GEER Conference

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The SIP 2010 on Valuing Ecosystem Services of a Restore River of Grass Poster Paper and write-up has the 2010 SIP Class over the top and up even another notch. Lots of good comments on what the interns have accomplished. Sponsoring Dr. Richard Weisskoff, Environmental Economist, who actually wrote the book on the Economics of Everglades Restoration, gave us even more presence at the GEER Conference. To answer a lingering question, GEER 2010 was more than worth the investment (as in priceless). The photos better tell the story, and will be some of the highlights in the Graduation Luncheon presentation.

SIP ESV POSTER PAPER
Perhaps the biggest coup at the Conference was the impromptu working lunch Break out session (remarked by a few as one of the best presentations), “sponsored” by Ronnie Best, Conference Co-Chair. Handout: Costanza, et al, paper (green) with written public comment
• Introduction Ronnie Best (JAM)
• Keynote speaker: Dr. Richard Weisskoff
• Summer Intern Presentation of Poster Paper (Angelique, Jim; JAM intro)
• Discussion and Questions (There were some)

The Summer intern Poster paper was posted early (day 1) on an extra display board, along with the 2008 poster paper (Top Ten Science Needs and Gaps); These posters stayed up all five days. Also the SIP 2010 display, as noted below.

Several VIP’s were briefed by the Summer Interns and the SIP Team (including Dr. Weisskoff, Dr. Tom, JAM, Shannon); each of five got a VIP folder package, including a CD.
• CD was another great SI idea, we passed out about 18 CD’s, which contained most of the hand outs and more); VIP’s briefed include…
• Eric Buermann (pictured below), Chair, Gov Board, SFWMD (“I will use these numbers)
• Rock Salt, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (an hour of hard questions)
• Colonel Al Pantano (1.5 hours of discussion, including how the USACE works)
o His deputy, LtCol Kinard was at the Rock Salt Brief
• Cheryl Ulrich (at the Noon Breakout, when she asked for more details; invitation to NCER)
• Stephanie Johnson, National Research Council (Biennial report?),
• Greg May, Executive Director, Dept of Interior Task Force, at the poster and in Pubic Comment

RESULT: Virtually every major principle VIP now knows of the SIP, the 2010 interns, and the direction of the ArtMarshall.org. Of course exposure was not limited to the VIP’s.

PR: The SIP Team yellow shirts worked out great; lots of recognition of the SIP Team
• We also “acquired” a vacant vendor table and posted the SIP 2010 display; also included 2010 year of the Everglades report, brochures, and flyer advertising SIP 2011.

Recognition from the Podium
• Paul Sousa (Marshall interns are our replacements, our future) Other Recognition:
• Larry Fink, SFWMD retired – “Great WRAC presentation by Summer Interns; You must be proud” (Many more like this, acknowledging yellow shirt team)


PUBLIC COMMENT ON ECOSYSTEMS SERVICES VALUATION (ESV), SYNTHESIS, etc.
o JAM To SCG/WG meeting Noon, July 14 (Costanza handout, blue copy); invitation to attend poster paper #14; some blue copies made it to noon breakout session; Only NGO to comment.
o To Paul Wetzel on Synthesis of Everglades Restoration and Ecosystem Services (SERES)
o Potential for ARMF/FEI S&T committee to be involved in SERES/CESI.
o Potential for Dr. Weisskoff to be involved as TBD Environmental Economist on list of Core Team members
o RECOVER Report (Double Sized notebook DRAFT), regarding speaker comments interim goals and objectives, and shared vision of “what is restoration” – Question:
o Is CERP Table 5-1 goals and objectives in the document?
 Increase total spatial extent of natural area, etc
 Everybody should be made to memorize these objectives. o Answer, we will make sure it is there.



Summer Interns with Rock Salt