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Three Days and Counting!
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In a mere three days on Wed Feb 25. the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter LED Team welcomes you to the Sarasota-Bradenton area for the first-ever Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogues.)
The original LED intent was to harness the impressive LAI talent converging on Sarasota for the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours. Thus, we devised the LED the day prior to the Tours to focus on the water challenges facing our region. Thank you for caring and arriving a day early for the Tours to share your expertise and experience.
From the LED document:
With its gorgeous barrier-island beaches, stunning bay, and profound arts and culture community, Sarasota is paradise! Yet, with the rapid development and population growth over the past decades, Sarasota is at risk of degrading the exact reasons for the growth.
Peruse this email for LED event logistics, program, and other details.
With Appreciation and Excitiement!
Holly Elmore
Ei Founder & CEO, LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President Photo banner is a Sarasota skyline image from across Sarasota Bay courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.
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LED Host - GCCF Philanthropy Center
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Since 1995, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has powered bold philanthropy and collaborative leadership to drive meaningful change across our region. Guided by values of authenticity, curiosity, collaboration, grit, and a trailblazing spirit, we work side-by-side with donors, partners, and community members to tackle our region’s biggest challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities.
Together with our donors, we’ve invested more than $625 million in health and human services, education, civic & economic development, arts & culture, and the environment. Headquartered in Venice, with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Gulf Coast is nationally recognized for excellence, earning multiple “Best Nonprofits to Work For” honors and accreditation from Community Foundations National Standards?.
Please thank Jon Thaxton, Ann Karwoski, and the GCCF for generously hosting the LED.
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ARRIVAL: Please arrive at the GCCF Philanthropy Center, 1549 State Street, Downtown Sarasota no later than 8:45 am. After registering, move into the meeting room where you may enjoy a continental breakfast, grab some coffee, meet fellow attendees, and choose your seat for the morning session.
Note that the LED Team gains access to the Philanthropy Center at 8:30 am. Thus, the entrance will be filled with set-up activity, and we ask that you immediately move into the conference room after registering.
FOOD/BEVERAGE, Along with breakfast, the LED hosts a buffet lunch and provides afternoon snacks; the beverage station will remain open throughout the day. Please let me know if you have food allergies and/or preferences.
PARKING, For those driving, the City of Sarasota State Street Parking Garage is located immediately across the street. The ParkMobile is great for paying the reasonable parking charges; there are QR Codes on signage that make it easy to download the app. Do not park in the lot adjacent to the building.
WEATHER/ATTIRE, A cool day for Sarasota with temps forecasted in the mid-60's is forecased. Attire for the LED is business causal. Note that Bill Wagy will film throughout the day as well as host interviews.
WIFI/CHARGING, Complimentary WIFI is provided by the GCCF Philanthropy Center; there are ample electrical outlets provided on the conference room walls for devise charging.
ZERO WASTE EVENT, Chef Kelley took great strides to ensure that no trash is generated via the day's food and beverage service. Please refrain from bringing individually wrapped candies and snack bars to the event; the packaging is trash. We will feed you plenty of delicious food!
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Note that there will be no printed LED materials. The back of your name tag has a QR code that links to the LED Program page with available documents. Speaker bios are included in the digital program.
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LED Agenda
A broad agenda overview is below: - Registration, Breakfast, Networking: 8:45 – 9:15 am
- Morning Presentations Session: 9:15 - 11;50 am
- Lunch & Brainstorming Session: 11:50 am - 1:00 pm
- Afternoon Strategy Session: 1:00 - 3:50 pm
- Closing Remarks & Announcements: - 3:50 - 4:00 pm
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John McCarthy, Selby Gardens VP Regional History
John worked with Sarasota County Government for 32 years as an Environmental Specialist, County Historian, and Director of Parks and Recreation. John joined the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens team in 2020. John’s work in the community has been recognized in several awards including Hero of History (Historical Society of Sarasota County), Partner of the Year (Sarasota Junior League), Citizen of the Year (Council of Neighborhood Associations), and Champion of Architecture (Fl Gulf Coast AIA).
John will me our Master of Ceremonies and Moderator for the day.
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John Taylor, Ralph Taylor Nurseries Co-Owner
Coastal Water Dynamics
Water is the life blood of our economy and our quality of life. Our lives are so intertwined with water that we assume it will always be there and be benevolent. But the growth of population and our demand upon its services has altered our relationship with water. This presentation highlights the degree to which the partnership of water, nature, and humanity has changed and indicates ways in which water can again become a shared resource.
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Ryan Gandy, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director
Managing the Bay’s Health in a Changed and Changing World
Over the past century, our local watersheds and bays have changed dramatically, with more than 85% of the area now developed. While this growth has reduced many natural habitats that once protected water quality, recent improvements in how we manage wastewater and stormwater have led to clearer bays and expanding seagrass meadows. Even with this progress, we still face big challenges in preparing our coastline for what lies ahead.
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Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Sr. Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Why the Economics of Water Matters to our Community This presentation will explore the profound influence of water resources and water quality on the vitality and economic health of the Sarasota region. Since our community is surrounded by water, it takes community education to get everyone onboard with helping to keep local waterways healthy. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation developed a “Community Playbook” to inspire everyone to do what they can to keep our waters clean and our economy thriving.
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Bob Bunting, Founder & CEO Climate Adaptation Center
Extreme Weather and its Impact on the Suncoast
Why extreme weather is happening and what is likely to happen between now and 2050.
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Please contact Holly Elmore, holly@earth-impact.org and 404-510-9336, with questions or for additional information.
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