The Water Institute has over 20 years of experience providing peer review, technical review, independent scientific review, and other forms of expert assistance and advisory services. Through our work, we identify and prioritize critical water issues important to stakeholders, address the issue with a multidisciplinary focus, and make the information available to the public.
Examples of Independent Review
Assessment of Water-Related Benefits of the Florida Wildlife Corridor
The Archbold Biological Station and the Live Wildly Foundation requested the Water Institute to organize an expert panel and assess the statewide water benefits of the Florida Wildlife Corridor following a unanimous passing of a state bill supporting the effort.
Watercolor Watercolor painting by Mike Reagan
Technical Review of Options to Move Water from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades
In response to stakeholder concerns about the timing and completion of South Florida Ecosystem restoration, the Florida Senate authorized the Water Institute to conduct an independent technical review of options to reduce high volume freshwater flows to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries and move more water from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades.
Advisory Roles and Service
Advisory Roles and Service: Water Institute personnel contribute their expertise through advisory roles and service on key water-related initiatives across Florida and beyond. In particular, Water Institute Director Dr. Matt Cohen was appointed as a committee member to the Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration for the 2024-2026 cycle. This biennial report to Congress documents progress and challenges in the restoration of the Everglades with Dr. Cohen taking a leadership role on ecosystem processes and water quality.
Other advisory roles and services include:
- Public Issues Education (PIE) Center | Matt Cohen – Scientific and Extension Advisory Council
- Florida Forest Service | Matt Cohen – Best Management Practices Statewide Technical Advisory Committee
- IFAS Data Governance Task Force – Matt Cohen, Member
- Big Bend Estuary Restoration Team | Darlene Velez – Steering Committee
- Suwannee River Partnership | Darlene Velez – Steering Committee
- UF Center for Remote Sensing | Paloma de Grammont – Advisory Board
Collaborate With Us
Have a research project idea or need to utilize the Water Institute’s expert services?