Contact
John Hitchcock - PresidentUnited Waterfowlers - FL
hitchco@bellsouth.net
321-729-3646
When
Thursday August 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM EDT-to-
Friday August 26, 2011 at 5:00 PM EDT
Add to my calendar
To make room reservations at the Ocala Hilton for the Waterfowl Summit - Click Here
Update 8/10: You can still get the event room rate of $99 at this link until August 19th. Pick the nights you want to stay at the link then click through and you will still see receive the $99 Hilton room rate.
Ducks Unlimited State Convention
This year - Florida Ducks Unlimited has moved their State Convention to run consecutive with the Waterfowl Summit. The event has various venues including a reception Friday night after the Summit adjourns, then the convention on Saturday with a Dinner and other festivities Saturday evening, all co-located at the Ocala Hilton.
For more information, and to buy tickets for the DU events...
DU State Convention - CLICK HERE
UW-F is a Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor Organization
2011 Florida Waterfowl Summit Speaker Line-up
- Steve Rockwood - FWC - Waterfowl Food Web
- Bill Coleman - FWC - AHRES Projects benefiting waterfowl
- Craig Mallison - FWC - Habitat Monitoring and Assessment of Large Wetland Systems
- Jim Sweatman - FWC - Use of GeoTube to Reestablish Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
- Dr. Fred Sklar - SFWMD - The DECOMP Project: The "Heart" of Everglades Restoration
- Bill Caton - FWC - Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS)
- Jon Morton - USACE - Corps of Engineers Aquatic Plant Management in Florida
- Jerry Karnas - Everglades Foundation - The Economics of Hunting and Fishing in the Everglades Ecosystem
- Dr. Scott Yaich - Ducks Unlimited - The Clean Water Act and Wetland Protection
- Dr. Gian Basili - SJRWMD - Active Management for Wetlands and Upland Buffers
- Dr. Erich Marzolf - SJRWMD - Nutrient Pollution - Eutrophication of Surface and Ground Water
- John Marshall - Arthur R. Marshall Foundation - Everglades Restoration: Benefits and Costs
The 2011 Florida Waterfowl Summit starts off with a wild game reception on Thursday evening - August 25th behind the pool area under the oaks at the Ocala Hilton. Come join us for some fine Florida outdoor food and drink. Then Friday morning the conference convenes at 0800 in the Ocala Hilton Ballroom. Just register ahead of time and show up. We'll have fresh coffee and refreshments all day, and a continental breakfast and lunch are provided. All of this is free to those who register and attend. Donations are welcome.
Why the Waterfowl Summit?
At UW-F, we are investing a significant amount of our capital and time to provide a free conference and forum where those who attend can learn and share about Florida wetlands and Florida's future.
Over 50% of our natural wetlands in Florida are gone. Those that remain are vitally important. Saving and restoring the remaining Florida wetlands is our goal with the Waterfowl Summit series of conferences.
Florida's wetlands are the home to our native birds, fishes and mammals, and they're an important stopping point for the migratory birds during the annual migration. Wetlands provide the food web for birds, fish, and many mammals. Wetlands also help to prevent flooding by absorbing and storing excess water.
Most importantly, wetlands provide the freshwater needs for Florida citizens throughout the state by helping recharge our aquifers.
Nutrient loading, net-loss of wetlands and alterations of sheet flow due to channelizing and impounding water, agriculture, weirs and dams, fresh water wells, wastewater, septage and sludge are all artifacts of our existence that "impact" the natural mechanisms of Florida's wetlands. These "impacts" caused by development grow and accumulate. Failing to "compensate" for these impacts has the same effect as allowing "debt" to accumulate. These "recurring costs" should be understood and planned for. They are "tangible liabilities" for the State of Florida that must be addressed and accounted for in our state's budgets.
Understanding the science and function of our wetlands is fundamental to understanding the "debt" we must plan for. Wetlands are as vital as the water they provide for us.
