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23th Annual Meeting

June 6-9, 2023
University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Communities

We are excited to host the 23rd annual American Ecological Engineering Society Meeting in Tampa, FL. This year’s meeting theme is “Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Communities." With this meeting, we hope to better contextualize the realm of Ecological Engineering while looking for the next generation to use these emerging practices to solve the world’s grand challenges. The interplay between students, industry professionals, and academia will be a key element of the meeting. We are encouraging industry professionals to attend the meeting as sponsors and mentors and provide insights to entering the field.

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The American Ecological Engineering Society’s mission is to promote the development of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both by fostering education and outreach, extending professional development and associations, raising public awareness, and encouraging original research.

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Meeting Agenda

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Monday, June 5, 2023

University of South Florida | C.W. Bill Young Hall (CWY) | 12303 USF Genshaft Dr. Tampa, FL 33620

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Registration/Check-in available at C.W. Bill Young Hall (CWY) â€‹

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Tuesday, June 6, 2023

University of South Florida | C.W. Bill Young Hall (CWY) | 12303 USF Genshaft Dr. Tampa, FL 33620

8:00 am - 8:30 am: Check-in

8:30 am - 9:00 am: Welcome Speeches

9:00 am - 9:40 am: Plenary Talk

9:40 am - 10:00 am: AM Coffee and Tea Break

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions 

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions 

3:00 pm - 3:20 pm: PM Coffee and Tea Break

3:20 pm - 5:20 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions 

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Hosted Social 1 @ Columbia Café at the Tampa Bay History Center

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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

University of South Florida | C.W. Bill Young Hall (CWY) | 12303 USF Genshaft Dr. Tampa, FL 33620

9:00 am - 10:00 am: Plenary Panel

10:00 am - 10:20 am: AM Coffee and Tea Break

10:20 am - 12:00 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions (3)

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm - 2:40 pm: H.T. Odum Center for Wetlands Symposium

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm: Odum Award Recognition

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm: PM Coffee and Tea Break

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Poster Session 1

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Poster Session 2

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: H.T. Odum Center for Wetlands 50th Anniversary Celebration at Coppertail Brewery (optional)

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Thursday, June 8, 2023

University of South Florida | C.W. Bill Young Hall (CWY) | 12303 USF Genshaft Dr. Tampa, FL 33620

9:00 am - 10:00 am: Concurrent Technical Sessions (3)

10:00 am - 10:20 am: AM Coffee and Tea Break

10:20 am - 12:00 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions (3)

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: Lunch

12:30 pm -1:30 pm: Business Meeting

1:40 pm - 3:00 pm: Concurrent Technical Sessions (3)

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm: PM Coffee and Tea Break

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice (DIEJ) Plenary Panel

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Plenary Discussion

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Friday, June 9, 2023

8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Field Trips | Various Locations​

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Detailed Agenda with Technical Sessions

Plenary Speakers

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Mark Rains, Ph.D. | Plenary Speaker

Chief Science Officer for the State of Florida

 

Mark Rains is an ecohydrologist with a B.A. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, an M.S. in Forestry, and a Ph.D. in Hydrologic Sciences. His research is focused on hydrological connectivity from ridges to reefs, especially between hillslopes, wetlands, and headwater streams; the roles that hydrological processes play in governing ecosystem structure and function; and the roles that science plays in informing water-related law, policy, and decision-making. He has extensive experience in consensus building at the intersection of science and policy in wetland regulatory programs, including past and ongoing work providing the scientific justification underlying the federal definition of “waters of the US” subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. He routinely contributes to this scientific debate in the legal arena, including two cases heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. He was appointed as the State of Florida's Chief Science Officer in 2021.

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​​Ed Sherwood | Plenary Speaker

Director of Tampa Bay Estuary Program

 

Ed Sherwood has served as the Tampa Bay Estuary Program's Executive Director since February 2018 after serving as its Senior Scientist for over a decade prior. Ed is responsible for maintaining TBEP’s strong interlocal partnerships and catalyzing the bay’s science-based restoration and recovery strategies. He directs TBEP’s technical and public outreach initiatives and serves as the primary policy liaison between its many public and private partners. Ed holds a B.S. degree in Marine Biology from the University of West Florida, and a M.S. degree in Marine Fisheries and Ecology from the University of Florida. In his spare time, he enjoys boating on the bay and travelling with his wife and two kids.

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​Dave Tomasko, Ph.D. | Plenary Speaker

Executive Director of Sarasota Bay Estuary Program 

 

Dr. Dave Tomasko has more than 30 years of experience in water quality assessments and the development of science-based natural resource plans in the Gulf of Mexico and international locations. He holds a Ph.D. in biology from the University of South Florida, a Master of Science in marine biology from the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Old Dominion University. Dr. Tomasko was also the first-ever SBEP Program Scientist.

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​Bernard Batson | Plenary Speaker

Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Engineering, University of South Florida

 

Bernard Batson is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Engineering.  In this role, he leads the College’s existing efforts in developing new strategies to strengthen inclusive practices and belonging across departments and research centers. He has over 25 years of experience in higher education on signature DEI initiatives that promote increased STEM diversity and access as core intellectual values.  Primarily, these signature efforts have been funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and National Science Foundation.  Batson has worked to nurture partnerships with minority-serving institutions and new engineering pathways (e.g.., UVI-USF College of Engineering Articulation Agreement, LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate, NSF S-STEM, and others) for historically underrepresented and financially disadvantaged students. He has served as an external a reviewer for DEI programs and as a panelist at national meetings.

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Maya Trotz, Ph.D. | Plenary Speaker

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida

 

Dr. Maya Trotz (she/her/hers) is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. She is the Principal Investigator of multiple federally funded projects, including STRONG Coasts, a National Research Traineeship program to foster food, energy, and water solutions with coastal communities, Large-scale CoPe: Reducing Climate Risks with Equitable Nature-based Solutions: Engaging Communities on Reef-Lined Coasts, BlueGAP, a Blue Economy Accelerator initiative to improve nutrient management. She has led projects to increase research experiences for undergraduate students and teachers, and currently leads an interdisciplinary team to improve undergraduate STEM education by addressing issues of equity and inclusivity in civil and environmental engineering curriculum. She also works on the knowledge management component of a Green Climate Fund project, “Water Sector Resilience Nexus for Sustainability in Barbados.” She is a past President of the Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors and a board member of Fragments of Hope Corp, a non-profit focused on coral restoration in Belize. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT, MS and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and is an Elates at Drexel® Fellow. â€‹â€‹

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Stephen A. Walker | Plenary Speaker

Attorney at Lewis, Longman, & Walker, P.A.

 

Mr. Walker’s practice focuses primarily on water resources, environmental and administrative law and has over 40 years of experience in environmental and water-related issues in Florida. He is the special environmental counsel to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and advises and advocates for the Tribe on Everglades issues, water rights, Clean Water Act issues and various state and federal regulatory matters. He also represents water users in consumptive use and environmental permitting, water use litigation and advocating for proactive water supply development strategies affecting the industry. ​He received his B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University and his J.D. from the University of Florida. 

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Field Tours

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Florida Aquarium

​Ranked one of the best aquariums in the U.S.! The Florida Aquarium provides habitat to a wide range of diverse aquatic and terrestrial animals and is focused on conservation and building awareness for these species. Picture source: The Florida Aquarium​

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Hillsborough River Kayaking Excursion

The Hillsborough River is one of the largest rivers in the Tampa Bay region and has been the site of many restoration projects. Enjoy viewing native wildlife while kayaking along the river. Picture source: USF Riverfront Park​

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4G Wetlands

The 4G Wetlands is the world's largest constructed groundwater recharge wetland. This 176-acre site contains 15 wetland cells which recharges the Upper Floridian aquifer and supports the Tampa Bay region. It serves as an example of how to more sustainably manage freshwater resources and is a 6x award-winning project. Picture source: Jacobs​

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Tampa Bay Watch Eco Tour Boating Excursion

Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to improving the health of Tampa Bay through community-focused restoration projects, education, and outreach. The Coastal Oyster Restoration Enhancement (CORE) program is focused on restoring lost oyster habitat in Tampa Bay through oyster reef creation, vertical oyster gardens, and oyster population monitoring. Picture source: Tampa Bay Watch

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Se7en Wetlands

The Se7en Wetlands is a 1,600 acre constructed wetland treatment system that provides tertiary treatment of the City of Lakeland's wastewater. Originally a phosphate mining site, the reclaimed Se7en Wetlands landscape is home to diverse plant and animal communities and has won 6 environmental water resources awards. Picture source: City of Lakeland

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USF Botanical Garden

The USF Botanical Garden is a 16-acre plot of over 3,000 plants and natural habitats located on USF's campus. The botanical gardens support biological and environmental outreach and research and host several festivals every school year. The botanical gardens are the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing stroll through fruit trees from around the world, carnivorous plants, subtropical vegetation, native Floridian plant species, and more! ​There is a $6 entrance fee payable on site. Picture source: Visit Tampa Bay

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Socials

Social Dinner at Columbia Cafe - Tampa Bay History Center | June 6th | 6:00-9:00 pm
Join us on Tuesday, 6/6 for an evening filled with all that Tampa has to offer to close Day 1 of the 2023 American Ecological Engineering Society Annual Meeting. Nestled next to the water in Tampa's downtown, the Columbia Cafe specializes in authentic Spanish-Cuban cuisine that celebrates Tampa's rich culture. Attendees are also able to view exhibits in the 
Tampa Bay History Center while enjoying delicious paella and sangria!

 

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Celebration at Coppertail Brewery | June 7th | 6:00-9:00 pm
Come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the HT Odum Center for Wetlands at the Coppertail Brewery! This event is not covered in conference fees and transportation is not provided.

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23rd Annual Meeting Sponsors

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