Lecture series concludes with journalists talking about water

March 16, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Spring 2009 Samuel Proctor Florida History Lecture Series concludes Wednesday with a roundtable discussion on Florida’s most precious natural resource: water. “Florida Waterways in Crisis” will be moderated by University of Florida associate professor of history Jack Davis and will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

Presenters will include Cynthia Barnett, author of “Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.,” and Craig Pittman and Matt Waite, co-authors of the book “Paving Paradise: Florida’s Vanishing Wetlands and the Failure of No Net Loss.” The series is sponsored by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program.

“Drawing from their books and experiences as journalists, the three panelists will discuss water, wetlands, and aquifers as natural endowments that are vital to the state’s ecological well being and the quality of life of its residents and visitors,” Davis said. “The panelists will address policy and economic issues, and the conservation challenges of the 21st century.”

The Samuel Proctor Florida History Lecture Series is made possible by generous donations from the Proctor family and alumni members of the Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity.

The Graham Center for Public Service provides students with opportunities to train for future leadership positions, meet policymakers and take courses in critical thinking, language learning and studies of world cultures. Its mission is to foster public leadership and solve issues related to the Americas and homeland security. It also serves as a magnet to attract distinguished scholars and speakers to Florida.