February 17,2023
LAI Global Webinar – online

On February 17 Lambda Alpha International (LAI, a land-economics honorary) hosted the Global Webinar Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact presented by Sarasota’s environmental leadership. As a member of the LAI executive committee, Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore orchestrated the webinar.

The global webinar was the second program in an eighteen-month series about water and land economics around the globe hosted by the LAI Global Water Group.

LAI At-Large Members from Florida’s Central Gulf Coast shared on global-coastal-water challenges along with the economic impact to the local and regional communities. With a well-orchestrated plan, via the Water Playbook, community organizations execute programs designed to prevent water contamination from land use and to cleanse contaminates in the water.

The Sarasota Bay Report Card documents achievements and remaining challenging scenarios. Teamwork is required for success with support provided by local, state, and federal governments as well as the community (foundations and taxpayers.)

Sarasota ROCKS when it comes to water-quality commitments; after all, the local economy and way of life depend on healthy waters!

The RiA article, Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact, gives an in-depth synopsis of the empowering presentations; the 90-minute recorded webinar may be viewed at this LINK.

Below are the panelists along with their respective PPT presentations available for download:
• David Tomasko, Ph,D, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director: State of the Bay, How to Meet Water-Quality Goals
• Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Community Investment: Water-Quality Playbook
• Christine Johnson, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President: Conservation Easements
• Sandy Gilbert, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide Chair: Healthy Stormwater Ponds