UF Launches the BRIDGES Working Group to Strengthen Everglades Science

America’s Everglades is one of Florida’s most well-known treasures, and its restoration and the re-envisioning of the South Florida ecosystem is one of the most ambitious, consequential, and expensive socio-ecological experiments in history. The Everglades faces numerous interdisciplinary and dynamic challenges related to endangered and invasive species, water quality, flow patterns, and ecosystem processes. Because these complex challenges require collaboration within and outside the University of Forida, the Water Institute and the School of Natural Resources and Environment have partnered with UF/IFAS, the Dean for Research, the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center to convene a working group. Together, they will support connecting UF faculty with one another and with the managers, decision makers, and researchers engaged in the Everglades’ restoration efforts.

The working group, “Building Research Initiatives and Dialogue for Greater Everglades Science” or BRIDGES, is comprised of 28 faculty members and eight mentors organized into four thematic areas: biological resources, hydroclimate, biogeochemistry and ecosystem science, and ecological forecasting. Bringing together faculty across disciplines, career stages, and experiences, the BRIDGES cohort will convene for 12 months under the leadership of Dr. Nick Aumen. Dr. Aumen, a Visiting Professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, brings more than 35 years of experience in the Greater Everglades restoration, including his former role as Regional Science Advisor for the Southeast Region of the United States Geological Survey.

The main goal of BRIDGES is to build collaborative efforts and expand dialogue for Everglades restoration. Through workshops and webinars, BRIDGES will strengthen the cohort’s scientific foundation of the Everglades while building lasting connections between the University of Florida researchers and the agencies involved in shaping the Everglades future. The information and connections gained will be used by the cohort, with guidance from their mentors, to develop strategies in seeking Everglades science funding and increase our understanding of the challenges facing Everglades restoration.

The workshops and webinars offer complimentary ways for the cohort to participate. The first BRIDGES workshop took place on March 3, 2026, and it served to connect the faculty with each other and their mentors. The other workshops will have the cohort travel and meet directly with agencies and organizations to understand the governance structure of Everglades restoration and how academia can support current efforts. The final workshop will bring together the cohort in developing strategies for gaining Everglades science funding based on the connections and knowledge built throughout the year. BRIDGES will also have a monthly webinar series featuring speakers from various backgrounds and sectors. Unlike the workshops, the webinars will be open to the public with registration required. Those who are interested in learning more about Everglades restoration, the agencies involved, and how academia can be part of the restoration efforts can view and register for the upcoming webinars here.

The Water Institute is looking forward to convening these groups and fostering connections to help conserve an important part of Florida’s ecosystem.

March 17, 2026