R4R MARCH NEWSLETTER
Advocating for Resilience
Our Residents for Resilience team has had a productive month, including our first “Water-Logged“ Webinar event! A heartfelt thank you to all who participated in this enlightening seminar, and a special appreciation to Algal-Bloom Specialist Dr. Schonna Manning, Miami Waterkeeper’s Aliza Karim, and Expert Marine Scientist Dr. Jim McVey for their invaluable insights into Fort Lauderdale Marine Water Conditions. They provided a deeper understanding of what lies “Beneath the Surface of our priceless waterways and we thank them for all they do!
R4R would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Katherine O’Fallon and the Marine Research Hub for partnering with us on this series, as we shed light on critical water issues in our coastal communities. It's inspiring to witness experts, organizations, and our residents joining forces to raise awareness about these vital concerns. Join us for our next live event on Wednesday, April 17th at the Museum of Discovery and Science for “Water-Logged” Part 2. A new panel of Marine Water Specialists will explore “Beyond the Surface” as they discuss their proposed solutions for beginning the vital research needed to begin the necessary remediation process. Questions and comments will be encouraged, so don’t forget to save the date for this informative event!
**RESILIENCY MEETINGS**
Tricia Halliday and I have also been actively participating in essential resiliency meetings with the County, uncovering urgent information to share with all of you. See below for links and presentations from these meetings. The primary focus has been on flood mitigation.
Chief Resiliency Officer Dr. Jennifer Jurado's presentations have highlighted the rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and challenges faced in managing excess water in flood-prone areas. The County is updating recommendations and requirements for mitigation efforts based on new data, impacting coastal and inland communities which can effect all of us. Explore the provided links for more details.
The discussions also touched on the possibility of raising roads in response to flooding. You received invites to the Urban Land Institute (ULI) sessions to assess flood-prone City roads and establish criteria for elevating roads and securing funding. Your attendance is encouraged. I will be participating in a stakeholder interview
held by ULI this week on this topic,
In our recent meeting, the focus shifted to a crucial topic: PFAS (forever chemicals) in our drinking water. The Water Advisory Board and Technical Advisory Board Committee meeting addressed this pressing issue and I suggest you take a look at this provided link.
**COMMUNITY OUTREACH**
I had the privilege of participating in an interview session conducted by the History Department students at FIU as part of their Oral History Collection, where we shared memories, experiences, and conditions related to South Florida waterways. These interviews form a crucial component of the students' final project for their Community Writing Class. I was impressed by their enthusiasm for environmental issues and their curiosity about the impact of climate change on our local communities and neighborhoods. It was truly a rewarding experience!
Warm Regards,
Suzee Bailey
Residents for Resiience Founder
Together, let's strive to make our Priceless Waterways Swimmable once more!
EDUCATION - COMMUNICATION - PARTICIPATION - COLLABORATION
We invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. If you are passionate about advocating for critical water issues, please let us know. Committees are currently being established, and we welcome your ideas and input.
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contact us at:
res4resilience@gmail.com
