EWRI Webinar: The CRISPS Project - Science to Restore and Protect Florida Springs

Please join EWRI for a webinar with speaker Robert A. Mattson, CEP, CSE for a discussion on an extensive research project called the "Collaborative Research Initiative on Sustainability and Protection of Springs" (CRISPS).

The geology of Florida creates one of the greatest known concentrations of artesian springs in the world. For centuries, these groundwater-fed aquatic ecosystems have been used by and attracted native peoples, early explorers and colonists, scientists, writers, and artists. Over the past several decades, development of the Florida landscape for human use has resulted in significant alterations in spring water quality, hydrology and habitat. Florida has been investing substantial resources over the past 30 years into understanding, managing, and restoring its springs.

In 2013, the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) entered into a cooperative agreement with the University of Florida to conduct an extensive research project to develop the scientific understanding to support District management initiatives in springs. The project was highly interdisciplinary, involving researchers from hydrology and engineering, geology and hydrogeology, biogeochemistry, water quality, and aquatic ecology. The project ran for three years at a budget of over $3 million.

Speaker:

Robert A. Mattson, CEP, CSE, SJRWMD

Rob Mattson is a Senior Environmental Scientist with the St. Johns River Water Management District. He has been with the District for 14 years and is involved in conducting ecological studies in spring ecosystems of the St. Johns River. Previously he was a Biologist with the Suwannee River Water Management District for 17 years, where he conducted ecological studies in the rivers, estuaries and springs of the northern Florida Big Bend. He earned his B.A. degree in Biology and M.S. in Zoology from the University of South Florida. Rob is certified as a Senior Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America and a Certified Environmental Professional by the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals.  He is also an Adjunct Science Instructor with St. Johns River State College at the Palatka campus.

The webinar link and login instructions will be sent by June 17th to the email address provided during registration.

 1.0 PDH credit has been requested from the Florida Section ASCE PDH Committee for this event. We will update you upon approval of the PDH credits.