Everglades conference on Captiva this week
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

Goss

The Everglades Coalition will host its 23rd Annual Conference on beautiful Captiva Island Jan. 10-13 at South Seas Island Resort. Hosted by the Sanibel- Captiva Conservation Foundation, the conference will bring together leaders, elected officials, community and environmental activists to discuss the many opportunities and challenges that continue to face restoring this entire unique ecosystem. The Coalition will announce its essential restoration priorities and goals for 2008 at the conference.

Keynote Speakers include:

• Thursday, Jan. 10: Nathaniel P. Reed, former Assistant Secretary of Interior - 7:30 p.m.

• Friday, Jan. 11: Porter J. Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Florida Congressman District 14, Lee County Commissioner and First Mayor of Sanibel - 12:30 p.m., Sea Pearl Room

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist - 7:30 p.m., Salon B & C

• Saturday, Jan. 12: Dr. Kim Howells, Deputy British Foreign Minister, speaking on the international action on climate change - 10 a.m., Salon B & C

Crist

Dr. Harold R. Wanless, Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Miami, speaking on how higher seas caused by global warming will likely impact the Everglades and Florida's coasts - 12:30 p.m., Sea Pearl Room

Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior - time TBD, Salon B & C

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson - 7:30 p.m., Salon B & C

• Sunday, January 13: Bob Graham, former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor - 9:15 a.m., Salon B & C

The Everglades Coalition annual conference is the largest annual forum for Everglades conservation and restoration, bringing together the Coalition's 47 allied organizations with local, state, and federal partners. Senators, Members of Congress, and political figures come to discuss their positions, pledge their support and offer challenges to the community. Conference session's focus on topics such as growth management, political and public partnerships, endangered and invasive species, wildlife habitat, energy policies, water quality and flow plans. For more information, visit: www.evergladescoalition. org.

Nelson