Florida Environmental Advocacy

As a Biology Professor and long-time Tropical Audubon member, I owe a huge debt to the legion of dedicated ecosystem defenders. Among these, Laura Reynolds stands out in particular. I don’t know anyone who has effectively advanced a broader array of South Florida’s environmental issues than Laura has. Laura played a key role at the Tropical Audubon Society, devoting a decade to regional conservation and science activism, and placing the Miami Audubon chapter on the list of hyper-effective environmental groups. Some people wondered why a bird-centric organization would work so hard on complex energy issues, but Laura made it clear to the public that our ecosystem starts and ends with clean water and the human processes that compete for it. Laura directed a bright spotlight on how unbridled development and energy production conflict with protection Florida’s natural waters, from the Everglades to Florida Bay. Her passion and knowledge of water issues created never-ending ripples through the environmental and political worlds as her cadre of interns graduated to become change-makers in the environmental community.

As the Mayor of Pinecrest for the past eight years, issues regarding our local and state environmental and sustainable priorities were a high priority for me. It was important to be able to rely on a strong community watchdog for the many environmental issues we were concerned about in Miami Dade County. Laura Reynolds served as that watchdog for the past five years, bringing Tropical Audubon to new heights by significantly raising the community awareness and engaging them in advocacy. Laura was able to mix her love for the outdoors and adventure with her keen understanding of science, her passion is evident and contagious to others. She was highly effective in informing and persuading elected officials of the environmental impacts of proposed policies and offered well-reasoned alternative solutions.

Laura Reynolds has helped me obtain a valuable compromise with the State of Florida regarding all State Parks. I recommend Laura as a person who is very qualified to help protect the State and National environment. Her knowledge and experience are very important in a quest for a healthy environment.

I am the president of the Florida Keys Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and the president of the Florida Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, and a national director of the Izaak Walton League of America. From 1998 until 2001, I was president of Friends of the Everglades, and I’ve been working on South Florida issues for over 40 years. For many years, while she was the Executive Director of Tropical Audubon, I worked with Laura Reynolds on a variety of issues, from Biscayne Bay to Port of Miami, Pineland protection, Virginia Key and Everglades Restoration.

She has been a clear voice for conservation of our fragile natural resources, and a leader in mustering support for protecting those priceless assets. Recently, we have joined with Laura to help the Southeastern Alliance for Clean Energy work for improvements in our energy system. I look forward to working with Laura in the future.