Building Research Initiatives and Dialogue for Greater Everglades Science (BRIDGES)
Restoration of the Everglades, and re-envisioning the South Florida ecosystem, is arguably the most ambitious, consequential, and expensive socio-ecological experiment in history. The resources and expertise needed to understand and forecast the dynamical responses of endangered and invasive species, water quality, flow patterns, and ecosystem processes align well with the interdisciplinary research capabilities at the University of Florida.
Building Research Initiatives and Dialogue for Greater Everglades Science (BRIDGES) seeks to harness those capabilities to better connect UF faculty to managers, decision makers, and researchers working in the Everglades.
Through BRIDGES, participants can engage in two complementary ways: a selected working group cohort that builds connections through targeted workshops, and an open‑access webinar series designed to share knowledge, spark dialogue, and broaden participation across the Everglades research community.
Working Group Cohort
The BRIDGES working group will be comprised of approximately 20 faculty selected following a rigorous application process. Starting in January 2026, members of the working group will convene for a full 12 months under the leadership of Dr. Nick Aumen, former Regional Science Advisor for the Southeast Region for USGS. Dr. Aumen has 35 years of experience and scientific background in the Greater Everglades restoration effort, which will provide a platform of connections and regional knowledge for the BRIDGES working group to actively pursue research opportunities with agencies.
In connecting UF faculty to managers, decision makers, and researchers working in the Everglades, the BRIDGES working group will collaborate within the complex Everglades restoration governance. This governance structure has dozens of federal, state, and local government agencies, participation from Tribal leaders, academia, NGOs, and the private sector. The BRIDGES working group will help navigate this structure, particularly with respect to connecting with the specific science needs of Everglades managers.
Activities
As a BRIDGES working group participant, you will be connected to the rich dialog driving Everglades system science, learn from Dr. Aumen and other experienced mentors about current and emerging research needs, and make connections with other faculty and agency and NGO partners central to Everglades research decision-making.
The BRIDGES working group will convene:
– 4 times in person during 2026 (in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and South Florida), with support from the Water Institute
– Monthly for virtual meetings and webinars that span a wide array of topics relevant to the Everglades ecosystem science
As a selected participant, you commit to attending all BRIDGES events, culminating in submissions of targeted research proposals to relevant agencies led by BRIDGES participants.
By building awareness and relationships, we will enable UF faculty to aid the scientific support enterprise that underlays the largest restoration effort on Earth.
QUESTIONS?
Darlene Velez
UF Water Institute Research Coordinator
saindodd@ufl.edu
Webinar Series
Part of this initiative is a webinar series discussing the science of the Everglades. This series is open to the public and will feature speakers from various backgrounds and industry with the sessions recorded if possible. Excluding the kickoff webinar, each webinar will take place on the second Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Registration is required for attendance.
June 11, 3:00 p.m. | “The Complexities and Paradoxes that Underpin Everglades Restoration” | Zoom
Dr. Fred Sklar, Director of the Everglades System Assessment of the South Florida Water Management District, will be presenting, “The Complexities and Paradoxes that Underpin Everglades Restoration” on June 11, 3:00 p.m. over Zoom. Dr. Sklar has a master’s in Oceanography and a Ph.D. in Wetland Ecology. He has published over 100 articles on the hydrology, soil, plant, and animal processes associated with both the degradation and restoration of wetland and coastal ecosystems. He is an Associate Editor for the ESA journal: Frontiers in Ecology, is an executive member of the steering committee for the Florida Coastal Ecosystem LTER Program, and is a RECOVER Executive Committee member for the Restoration of the Everglades.
May 7, 3:00 p.m. | “Science Needs in the Everglades — A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Perspective” | Zoom
Hear from Larry Williams, a State Program Supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Ecological Services Office, about the Everglades restoration with his presentation, “Science Needs in the Everglades — A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Perspective“. Williams has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 36 years with a major component, specifically the last 14 years, of his career working in Everglades restoration. He leads a team of staff who implement the Endangered Species Act as it relates to Everglades restoration. Efforts include recovering species such as the Florida panther, West Indian manatee, and the wood stork as well as the perennial challenge of conserving the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow. His presentation will provide an overview of Everglades restoration and potential synergies with academia.
April 9, 3:00 p.m. | “Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Framework to Restore, Protect, and Preserve America’s Everglades” | Zoom
Want to learn more about water management in Florida? Join Dr. Gina Paduano Ralph, a Lead Scientist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District for her presentation, “Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Framework to Restore, Protect, and Preserve America’s Everglades“. Dr. Paduano Ralph will provide a brief history of water management in Florida, the need for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), how science informs restoration decision-making, and highlight the mission of REstoration, COordination, VERifcation (RECOVER). The webinar will also feature a discussion of current and emerging science needs across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission areas.
View the recording of the webinar here.
March 12, 3:00 p.m. | “Modeling and Decision Support for Everglades Restoration Planning” | Zoom
Register now for the next installment of the BRIDGES Webinar Series! This month’s webinar features Dr. Stephanie Romañach, a Research Ecologist from the United States Geological Survey. Dr. Romañach’s work includes using a combination of field observations and predictive ecological models to explore the impacts of climate change and ecosystem restoration on wildlife and will be explored in her presentation titled, “Modeling and Decision Support for Everglades Restoration Planning”.
February 19, 3:00 p.m. | New BRIDGES Webinar Series | Zoom
Want to learn about the restoration of America’s Everglades and how high-quality science is needed to support restoration? Then join the Water Institute and the School of Natural Resources and Environment for the kickoff of a new monthly series, “BRIDGES Webinar Series”, as part of the BRIDGES Working Group. Dr. Nick Aumen, former Regional Science Advisor for the USGS Southeast Region and current Visiting Professor at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, will present “Everglades Restoration 101 – Governance Structure and Science Needs“.
View the recording of the webinar here.