PRESS RELEASE: May 14, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

ROOKERY BAY RESERVE HOSTS

STATE OF THE COAST MEETING

~Reserve facilitates discussions about coastal science and management in Collier County~

Bob Gergerson, the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, learns about microorganisms from Rookery Bay Reserve’s Dita O’Boyle.

NAPLES, Fla. – Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve hosted State of the Coast today, bringing together community and business leaders with environmental scientists and coastal managers for discussions about Collier County’s coastal environment and economy.

“Science is an important tool that can help inform local coastal decisions,” said Gary Lytton, director for Rookery Bay Reserve. “Today was a great opportunity to engage our local scientists and decision-makers to gain a greater understanding of connections between coastal science and management and the local economy.”

Presentations included research updates from local scientists, discussions about collaborative watershed management and an overview of economic links to the coast. Attendees visited exhibit booths hosted by reserve staff and enjoyed a lunch presentation by David Holst, NOAA’s National Ocean Service deputy director.

For more information visit: www.rookerybay.org/state-of-the-coast

About Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, managed by Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office in cooperation with NOAA, encompasses
110,000 acres of coastal lands and waters on the Gulf coast between Naples and Everglades
National Park. It serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for students and scientists from
around the world.

About DEP’s Florida Coastal Office
The DEP’s Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is responsible for oversight of the State’s 41 Aquatic 
Preserves, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, The Coral Reef Conservation Program, 

and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FCO’s mission is to protect, enhance, and 

restore natural habitats and resources of nearly 4.5 million acres of submerged lands. 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1042d99