| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.90 |
| Liaison | Kathleen Crawford |
| Submission Date | July 23, 2020 |
Florida Gulf Coast University
EN-10: Community Partnerships
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Kathleen
Crawford Sustainability Coordinator Environmental Health & Safety |
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Which of the following best describes the partnership?:
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? :
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability:
On April 4, 2019, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to kick off a partnership that addresses impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) to Florida’s environment, economy and quality of life. The signing took place in Seidler Hall on the campus of FGCU in Ft. Myers.
This MOU, signed by Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby and FGCU President Dr. Michael V. Martin, sets the framework for future collaboration between the two organizations.
“Working in partnership, Mote and FGCU will use science to develop innovative technologies to decrease the impacts of red tide and other harmful algal blooms,” said Crosby. “This MOU will facilitate collaboration through productive basic and applied scientific research, innovative engineering and technology development, and education related to harmful algal blooms. Our joint goal is to not just gain a greater understanding about the ecological forcing functions of red tide and other harmful algal blooms, but to actually do something to decrease the devastating impact of HABs to our environment, our economy and our quality of life.”
Mote and at FGCU will pursue productive scientific research, innovative technology development, and undergraduate and graduate education with a focus on harmful algal blooms.
“FGCU is very pleased to formalize an ongoing partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory,” said Martin. “Most assuredly working together, and with other colleagues across the state and nation, we can bring science to bear on the challenges of maintaining Florida’s critical water resources. This is a great day for FGCU and the citizens we serve, current and future.”
Several opportunities for partnership between the two organizations are outlined in the MOU, with a term of five years and the option to renew. Mote and FGCU will collaborate on:
Improved understanding of dynamics and forecasting of harmful algal blooms;
Developing effective and ecologically sound mitigation technologies to decrease the adverse effects of harmful algal blooms; and
Joint appointments of instructional and research faculty for undergraduate and graduate courses, procurement of funding for research, and implementation of cooperative research projects.
“We’re very excited about this partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory,” said Greg Tolley, who leads The Water School at FGCU. “We have been working with Mote scientists off and on since we opened, but this new collaboration will bring together the best talent in Southwest Florida to address one of our most pressing water issues — red tide.”
About Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 research institution founded in 1955. Mote began and flourished through the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family and later of the William R. Mote family. Today, Mote is based in Sarasota, Florida, with six campuses stretching from Sarasota to the Florida Keys. Mote has more than 20 world-class research programs studying oceans locally to internationally, with an emphasis on conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing the Lab's research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year and located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Learn more at mote.org, or contact us at 941.388.4441 or info@mote.org
About The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University
Located in the midst of Florida's complex freshwater and saltwater systems, The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University is uniquely positioned to explore water-based issues. The health of waterways impacts surrounding ecosystems, regional and state economies and people who rely on water for life and leisure. By taking a leadership role in this vital arena, FGCU acts as a catalyst for change in Southwest Florida and throughout the world. Through its interdisciplinary approach, The Water School at FGCU not only focuses on the environmental sciences, but also draws in the social sciences, business and engineering. For more information, visit fgcu.edu/TheWaterSchool.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (2nd partnership):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
https://growingclimatesolutions.org/
https://www.conservancy.org/vision-2025/climate-change-partnership
The Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and Conservancy of Southwest Florida formalized a three-year partnership to align community resources in an effort to address issues related to our region’s changing climate.
The founding group, Growing Climate Solutions – Path to Positive Southwest Florida, will work to build a coalition of residents across key community sectors, including health, education, faith, business and the environment. The goal is to engage stakeholders through educational- and awareness-building efforts and to provide research and information that will lead to local climate solutions to sustain our communities.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (3rd partnership):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
https://www.fgcu.edu/cas/communityimpact/wingsofhope/
Established in 2000, FGCU’s “Wings of Hope” environmental education program connects 450 university students with 5,000 elementary students each year through the life of the Florida black bear and endangered Florida panther. This nationally and state awarded program is housed in the Department of Integrated Studies and is an integral part of general education and service learning.
A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
FGCU has over 350 community partners that we team up with for Service-Learning and civic engagement. These include a vast number that are sustainability focused and even more that are sustainability related. A comprehensive list of agencies may be found at https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/findagency
Other partnerships include:
FGCU, Lee County Schools partnership hopes to inspire next generation of water researchers https://www.winknews.com/2020/02/19/fgcu-lee-county-schools-partnership-hopes-to-inspire-next-generation-of-water-researchers/
FGCU and Johnson Engineering team up to restore Lake Trafford
https://www.winknews.com/2020/06/12/fgcu-and-johnson-engineering-team-up-to-restore-lake-trafford/
https://johnsonengineering.com/blog/project-aims-to-jump-start-tape-grass-growth-in-river
Website URL where information about the institution’s community partnerships to advance sustainability is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.