Welcome

The 2008 Everglades Coalition Annual Conference
Everglades Restoration… What do we have to lose?

The Everglades Coalition invites you to our 2008 Annual Conference at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River on beautiful Captiva Island. The Annual Conference brings together non-profit, government and private interests in the largest annual forum for Everglades conservation and restoration.

The Coalition's annual conference seeks to raise critical, timely issues to the surface for in depth debates in an open, accessible forum. Senators, Members of Congress, and political figures come to discuss their positions, pledge their support and offer challenges to the community. The conference is attended by decision makers from federal, state, local and tribal governments, agency representatives, stakeholders and a vast array of public and private interests including scientists, educators, contractors, conservationists, the media, students and the general public.

This year’s Annual Conference is proudly hosted by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation who is celebrating forty years of preserving the natural resources and wildlife habitat. The Foundation together with local stakeholders is a leader in ensuring that conservation ethics & environmental choices are an integral part of the economy and growth of the area.

Our Conference theme – What do we have to lose? – will not just highlight the plants and animals that will be lost without restoration, but the economic and social functions that are tied to the health of our Florida environment and restoring the Everglades. The Agenda promises to be engaging and educational. Sign up now to get the early registration rate.

We have four fabulous field trips planned as part of the Conference that will highlight the natural resources at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River that need protection and restoration through the Everglades movement. Make your reservations early to get the full experience of the Sanibel-Captiva area.

The Conference is being held on beautiful Captiva Island, at the South Seas Island Resort. Click here for more information and reservation deadlines.

New for 2008 are Poster Presentations. Organizations are invited to submit a poster showcasing scientific research and findings and/or restoration projects within the Everglades watershed. Abstracts for posters should be submitted through our online form.

Sponsors and Exhibitors are also encouraged to get involved in the Everglades Coalition Conference. Participants have over eight hours of scheduled interactive time in the Exhibit Hall. This is your chance to present to high level federal and state decision makers, and interact with the key individuals involved in Everglades Restoration. Click to our Sponsorship Page for more information on getting involved.

The Everglades Coalition continues to provide leadership in the collaborative efforts needed to ensure restoration and long-term protection of our greater Everglades ecosystem. We look forward to your participation at the 2008 Everglades Coalition Conference.

Mark D. Perry
Co-Chair
Florida Oceanographic Society

Drew Martin
Co-Chair
Sierra Club