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The Conduit AI Assistant

Florida faces growing challenges related to changing rainfall patterns, water availability, and ecosystem health, all of which are further intensified by population growth and land use change. While water supply and ecosystem management are closely connected, decisions affecting these systems are often made separately, limiting opportunities for coordinated and resilient solutions.

This effort aims to strengthen collaboration among water resource managers, natural resource managers, and scientists to co-produce science-based strategies that support both human and ecological water needs under a changing climate. Building on the established Florida Water and Climate Alliance (FloridaWCA), the initiative uses workshops and collaborative planning processes to identify shared priorities, address critical knowledge gaps, and develop a coordinated research and management agenda. Through structured engagement and co-production, participants develop a shared understanding of climate-related risks and opportunities while fostering sustained dialogue across sectors. The project seeks to build the knowledge, relationships, and capacity needed to support more integrated and climate-informed water and ecosystem management across Florida.

Funding: Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, $50,606.

Cohort Members

Team

  • Matt Cohen (PI), Water Institute, UF
  • Mike Allen (Co-PI), UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, UF
  • Tirusew Asefa (Co-PI), Tampa Bay Water
  • Paloma Carton de Grammont (Co-PI), Water Institute, UF
  • John Stamm (Co-PI), USGS Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
  • Darlene Velez (Project manager and Facilitator), Water Institute, UF

Steering Committee

  • Jenna Harper, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Jennifer Heckler, Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership
  • Eric Nagid, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Water Institute Director Dr. Matt Cohen in front of a group discussing writings on a flipchart on the wall.

Expected Outputs

This working group will meet for two workshops. One occurred on March 10-11, and the second will take place in the Fall 2026 semester. Project outreach to disseminate the workshop results will occur in Spring 2027.

Expected deliverables for this project include:

  • Mechanisms for long-term sustainability to ensure continued research and dialog beyond the initial project period
  • Detailed research agenda outlining priority areas of investigation
  • Co-developed research questions & project plans
  • A community of practice to enhance & sustain dialogue and foster ongoing collaboration
  • Working groups for proposal development & data synthesis
Working Groups