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Capt. Mike Conner:  EAA Land Purchase is Essential to Everglades Restoration

8/5/2016

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Presentation Summary

​I will cover the need for water storage and conveyance south of Lake Okeechobee as part of CERP to stop the toxic coastal discharges and re-hydrate Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.
 
Will also cover the ongoing human health threat and ecological damage to the St. Lucie River and the newly launched Now or Neverglades Declaration. 

Speaker Biography

Mike Conner is a resident of Stuart, Florida and has worked as a fishing magazine publisher, television host, editor, and freelance outdoor writer covering sportfishing and conservation. Mike has also worked as a licensed fishing guide since 1990 from Florida Bay to the Indian River Lagoon. Having moved to Florida as a 5-year-old, he took to the water and woods, and never looked back. Mike loved fishing and light hunting in the vicinity of the Big Cypress so became involved in Everglades and other Florida environmental causes at the age of 15 as a high school sophomore during the height of the push to establish a commercial jetport inj the heart of the woods that he loved. It was then that Mike realized that politics plays a key role in the preservation of, and now the restoration of, the Everglades.

​Mike became a member of Florida Conservation Association (now CCA Florida) in 1989 and served as an officer of the Dade County chapter, and a state board member for over 10 years. He presently serves as Director of Angler Outreach for Bullsugar.org, a non-profit 501 c(4) organization. Mike is also a board member of the Rivers Coalition Defense Fund and the Indian Riverkeeper.

In his spare time Mike enjoys fly fishing, cooking and gardening. 
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Dara Schoenwald:  Making Changemakers -- Inspiring Activism Through Volunteerism

8/3/2016

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Speaker Biography

Dara Schoenwald is a cultural anthropologist, eco-activist and social entrepreneur interested in understanding how to motivate people to adopt more environmentally sustainable lifestyle practices.  She spent most of her career in the marketing technology sector, first at Microsoft Corporation’s WebTV Networks pioneering interactive television and then 9 years as a consumer insights and user experience researcher at SapientNitro, a leading global interactive advertising agency.

Dara is currently the Executive Director of VolunteerCleanup.org, a non-profit grassroots organization that engages volunteers to clean their shorelines and waterways as a way to raise awareness about marine debris, and to encourage people to reduce their reliance on single-use disposable plastics. She is a winner of the Miami Foundation’s Public Spaces Challenge for her idea to install a water bottle refill station in parks, and is now expanding that idea by partnering with Woosh Water to deploy their service of “smart” and connected water bottle refill stations in Miami Beach.

​She completed graduate studies in Cultural Anthropology and Comparative Sociology at Florida International University and studied Communications and Media Studies as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan.
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Pilar Velez:  The Spirit of Marjory Stoneman Douglas

8/1/2016

27 Comments

 
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Abstract

​In a global world, impacted among other aspects by the rise of immigration, it is necessary that communities develop programs in which immigrants can assimilate the new culture, integrate harmoniously with their environment and establish emotional attachments that identify them with the territory in which they live.

Hispanics are the fastest growing group in the United States. Florida is the State with the third largest number of Hispanic residents. It is imperative  that they  join efforts with environmental organizations to protect the Everglades. The best way to achieve this support is through education. We need to inspire Hispanic people to love the Everglades with the same passion as Marjory did. 

Speaker Biography

PILAR VELEZ Colombian writer and poet based in Southern Florida. Three times awarded at the International Latino Book Awards for her books: El Expreso del Sol (2016) and poetry works: Soles Manchados (2015) and Pas de Deux: Relatos y Poemas en escena (2014), which she co-authored. In the genre of children's literature, she is the author of A gift for Laura (2015). Her most recent poetry collection "Claroscuro" is part of the anthology "Equilibrios Contrarios: Tributo a Federico García Lorca". Her work demonstrates her sensitivity toward social causes based on actual events.
 
Pilar Velez obtained her Graduate Degree in economics from the Universidad Autonoma de Occidente (Cali, Colombia), with a Masters in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University (Miami, FL), a certification in Human Resources Management from Florida International University and specialized studies in the areas of marketing and business. Her outstanding academic performance earned her the highest honor, membership in Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for business, management and administration. Her academic and professional interests have been accompanied by her  literary work..
 
Mrs. Velez commitment to literary and cultural development has been widely recognized internationally. She is the creator of the International Celebration of the Hispanic Book Month, President of the XII International Conference of Women Writers Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Miami, 2016), President of the Hispanic Heritage Literature Organization, Director and founder of the literary magazine Poetas y Escritores Miami and Director and founder of the Chapter AIPEH Miami (International Association of Hispanic Poets and Writers). Mrs. Velez collaborates on multiple projects for the dissemination of Hispanic culture, social causes and environmental preservation.
 
Visit her Web pages:
http://pilarvelez.com/
http://www.milibrohispano.org/
http://www.poetasyescritoresmiami.com
http://www.aipehmiami.com

E-mail: milibrohispano@gmail.com
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Pete Gonzalez:  Movement to Ban Fracking in Miami-Dade & Florida

8/1/2016

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Presentation Summary

Fracking is a major threat to human health and to our priceless Everglades ecosystems.

Pete will describe how Urban Paradise Guild (UPG) is working with coalition partners in Miami-Dade and throughout the state of Florida to protect our communities and the Everglades from the toxic practice of fracking.

Miami-Dade County is close to banning fracking, which will involve two ordinances. This ban will also increase protection of the Everglades. Miami-Dade's ban is an critical step in the strategic plan to ban fracking in Florida - and complete protection of the Glades.

This presentation will give a brief overview of what fracking is, its many threats to surrounding communities and ecosystems, and the past and future actions taken to protect Florida. You can expect to develop a firm understanding of why this movement is critical for protecting the Everglades, and what you can do to help UPG and partners accomplish both Miami-Dade and Florida bans.

Speaker Biography

Pete Gonzalez is the Director of Policy for Urban Paradise Guild.

Starting out as a volunteer activist, he has immersed himself in environmental issues. UPG is spearheading the Miami Movement to Ban Fracking, and Pete is leading the effort. UPG is a Miami non-profit with hands-on Urban Forestry and Agriculture projects five times per week.

www.UrbanParadiseGuild.org

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NWD Projects:  National Water Dance

8/1/2016

1 Comment

 
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Performance Description

Ode to Water
Written by Laurel Nakanishi in collaboration with Miami-Dade students.

Directed by Dale Andree.
​
Dancer – Sharyn Richards
Reader – Barbara Sloan
Musician, Chimes, Tibetan Singing Bowls – Richard Brookens

About NWD Projects

NWD Projects is the sponsoring organization for National Water Dance, a site-specific, simultaneous performance across the United States bringing attention to water issues through the power of live performance.

Website for National Water Dance:
www.nationalwaterdance.org

​Director Dale Andree:
​dandree@nationalwaterdance.org
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George Cavros:  Solar in the Sunshine State

7/30/2016

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Speaker Biography

George Cavros is clean energy attorney and advocate. He has worked on a range of state energy policy issues for over a decade, such as:

  • challenging proposed coal-fired power plants,
  • pushing for meaningful levels of energy efficiency,
  • and designing renewable energy policy.
He serves as the Florida Energy Policy Attorney for Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. George is active in the south Florida community and serves on the Broward County Climate Change Task Force. 
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Rev. Thomas L. Norris:  Universalism, Spirituality & Activism

7/30/2016

34 Comments

 
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Presentation Outline

  • What does it mean to be a Universalist?
  • 21st Century Spirituality
  • Liberating People and Mother Earth through Activism

Speaker Biography

Tom is the founder and Senior Minister of a Universalist Church, Medicine Signs Spiritual Center, that, since 1992, has carried its message throughout Florida, the United States, and the world.

He currently teaches in the Religious Studies Department at Florida International University.

He is also the CEO of Inner Life Transformations, which provides online spiritual counseling and guidance throughout the world.  Throughout his 46 year career as a counselor, Tom has worked within the Civil Rights Movement, and advocated for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault/rape.

Tom has a Master’s Degree of Social Work from Barry University (1976) in Miami, Florida, and a Master’s Degree of Divinity (2003) and a Doctorate of Ministry (2006) from The Florida Center for Theological Studies.

In 2015, Tom authored with his wife, Rev. Cathy Norris, A Fresh Cup of Tolerance, subtitled Universalism: The New Religion of Tolerance.  It is available on Amazon.com and all the book sellers.

​Today, Tom lives with Cathy in South Florida, and is the happy father of two wonderful children and the grandfather of four beautiful grandchildren.

34 Comments

Meredith Barnard:  Oil & Gas Activities in South Florida -- Looking Back & Looking Ahead

7/29/2016

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Presentation Summary

The presentation will cover a brief history of oil and gas activities in Florida, current oil and gas projects, prior legislation, the upcoming legislative session, and our work on oil and gas at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Speaker Biography

Meredith Barnard is an Environmental Policy Analyst at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. She focuses on the organization’s oil and gas campaign and assists on various natural resource policy issues. Meredith earned a Bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of Miami and a Master’s degree in marine and environmental affairs from the University of Washington.
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Sen. Dwight M. Bullard:  The Fight to Ban Fracking -- What Are Our Next Steps?

7/29/2016

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Speaker Biography

Senator Dwight M. Bullard is a proud educator, leader and advocate in the state of Florida. Since 2000 he has been a teacher at Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami Florida, and on November 9th, 2012 he was sworn into office as state Senator of Florida District 39. Currently he serves as Vice Chair of Transportation, and sits on numerous committees ranging from the Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education in the state of Florida.

​Prior to his election in 2012 to the Florida Senate, Senator Bullard served in the Florida House of Representatives. During that time he was named Democratic Ranking Member of the Education Committee during the 2010-2012 term due to his outstanding leadership and commitment to education. His passion for advocacy and leadership has granted him tremendous recognition. 
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Steven Machat:  Toxins-Dioxins of Faceless Corporations vs Everglades and Life

7/29/2016

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Presentation Summary

Steven Machat will discuss the recent ruling from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that would allow close to 100 “regulated” chemicals including those that cause cancer to be dumped into Florida’s waterways. Protection of the earth and those that inhabit it, or the pursuit of paper profits benefitting a few? 

Speaker Biography

Steven Machat is an Independent candidate for Florida’s United States Senate.

A graduate of the University of Miami Business School and Vanderbilt Law School, Machat got his first experience with the nuances of party politics when he became involved Jimmy Carter’s daunting but successful campaign for President.

He has been both a Republican and a Democrat; a lifelong dealmaker, tenacious social activist and an avid historian. As a public defender in Davidson County, Tennessee, Machat experienced our legal system first hand.

In 1978, Machat became law partners with his late father, Marty Machat — a music industry legend. Working from offices in New York, Los Angeles and London, Machat executive produced, promoted and marketed their clients while protecting their legal interests. During his career, Machat represented many music icons including Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, ELO, Snoop Dogg, Genesis and others. Through it all, Machat is proudest of “HOPE”, an album the Dalai Lama dedicated to peace.

As an author, Machat has written four books:  Highways of Man – The Odyssey Almanac, Man, Community & Living The American Dream, Gods, Gangsters and Honor: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Odyssey, Sacred Knowledge, A Rock ‘n’ Roller’s Guide to Higher Consciousness

Machat’s professional career has taken him to all six continents and the most important trip is the one he’s on now, visiting all 67 counties in Florida by car. While some travels are planned in advance, most are random visits through back roads and local highways, speaking with Florida’s citizens in their towns, workplaces, favorite spots for breakfast and lunch; sports and recreation or simply sitting waterside.

It’s through these travels Machat is listening to what’s keeping them up at night and how they envision their futures.

He is motivated with a passion and the belief he can represent and protect the people of Florida with a priority for their health, education, welfare, equality and security to the best of his ability.

And that’s what keeps him up at night.

Machat4Senate.com
#Machat4Senate
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    Speaker Bios

    Learn more about this year's Speakers and their Presentations.

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    August 2016
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