Florida Everglades
 Multi-species Avian Summit

Goal and Overview    Avian Species    Two Meetings     Venue and Dates  
SEI Project Team and other contact information      Links      Agenda for first meeting (including panel and presenters)

Goal and Overview

 The Goal: A facilitated workshop on multi-species avian ecology that provides a common understanding of the science of these species and their habitats and a forum for productive interaction among scientists, policy makers, managers and stakeholders.

 Overview

Comprising 18,000 square miles, the South Florida ecosystem is a diverse mix of subtropical uplands, wetlands and coral reefs. It is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life, and many significant conservation areas. It supports the economy of Native Americans and Floridians. The culture of Native American tribes is intimately linked to the ecosystem.

The South Florida ecosystem, which is sustained by water, has been seriously degraded by losses of that natural environment and disruptions to the natural hydrology.  Runoff and discharges of stormwater have further degraded aquatic habitats.  There has been a 50% reduction in spatial extent of the original Everglades, a significant reduction in wading bird populations, 69 species are listed under the ESA, and there have been significant declines in corals and commercial fisheries.

Many federal, state, tribal and local entities are working hard to address the ecological conditions in South Florida and to restore the ecosystem. The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force tracks and facilitates the coordination of the work.

The following principles guide all aspects of ecosystem restoration and management:

• The ecosystem must be managed holistically using an ecosystem-based approach
• The natural and built environments are inextricably linked to the ecosystem
• Expectations should be reasonable
• Decisions must be based on sound science
• Environmental justice and economic equity need to be integrated into restoration efforts
• Restoration efforts must meet applicable federal, state, tribal, and local responsibilities

Restoration of this ecosystem is an immense task. Managing the ecosystem as a whole requires that the agencies and stakeholders address the needs of individual species and multi-species assemblages, and pay attention to the ecosystem in all its complexity. This need is both a biological requirement and a legal one as several species are listed under the ESA as well as protected by other federal and state statutes.  The Task Force has identified several indicators which help to set targets and evaluate progress. Among these indicators are: Total system health which includes “threatened and endangered species”, and “nesting wading birds” and Indicators of Estuary Health which includes species such as roseate spoonbills. Thus, the biology and management of a number of avian species is integral to the overall effort.

 Avian Species

The restoration, and management of several sensitive, threatened or endangered avian species is an important component of the restoration effort.  Knowledge of many of these avian species has increased thanks to the efforts of many respected scientists. These scientists work for agencies and groups represented in SFTF as well in academia and other groups. Combining the deep knowledge of individual species with information on their ecology and ecological processes can help advance restoration efforts.

What is needed now is an analysis and synthesis of the information so that there is a common understanding of the science.  Because decision-makers must make decisions that are based on science, it is equally important that the science be understood by all. Further, it is important that the stakeholders have the opportunity to ask for scientific guidance, clarification on scientific points, and have a chance to participate with the scientists on a range of relevant topics.  In other words, there should be a facilitated workshop that effectively translates and communicates scientific information to decision makers, and that equally translates management issues into scientific questions that can be addressed by the scientists working on these issues.

As an initial effort at taking a multi-species approach while recognizing the need of individual species this meeting will focus on 4 species: The wood stork, the snail kite, the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, and the roseate spoonbill,

There will be two workshops

The primary focus of the first workshop is an analysis and synthesis of existing information to each a common understanding of the science.

The primary focus of the second workshop is the integration of the science into decision-making.

An external panel of scientific experts will review material presented by scientists whose research and expertise has contributed to our understanding of the ecosystem. There will be questions and answers sessions.

Venue and Dates

The first workshop will take place from March 17-19 2003 at the Westin Hotel in Key Largo Tel: 305 852 5553  keylargoresort.com

A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate for this meeting. Please contact the hotel directly for reservations.  For those attending,  flights either into Miami or Marathon Keys are best. The hotel does have a shuttle arrangement, contact the hotel directly. Date for the second meeting TBD

SEI Project Team and other contact information
For more information contact the SEI project team:
Project Executive:  Dr. Deborah Brosnan at brosnan@sei.org
Scientific facilitator/translator Dr. Steven Courtney courtney@sei.org
Chief Coordinator: Sara Hemphill hemphill@sei.org

Contact the Everglades Task Force
Carrie Beeler  305 348 6745 cbeeler@sfrestore

 Links

Visit the South Florida Taskforce website (www.sfrestore.org)
For an example of the SEI approach and process please read “Reducing Risk and Uncertainty” available at http://www.sei.org/riskunc.html 

Agenda