Item L3
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L.AND AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date; September 17. 2003
Bulk Item: Yes No ~
Department: Land Authority,
Agenda Item Wording: MAYOR SPEHAR - Approval to re-appoint Debra Harrison to the Land
Authority Advisory Cnmmittee.
Item Background: Ms, HClrrison is ths Director of the World Wildlife Fund's Florida Keys prcgram and
serveS as the environmental representative on the Land Authority Advisory Committee.
Advisory Committee Action: N/A
Previous Governing Board Action: Ms. Harrison was first appointed to the Land Authority Advisory
Committee last year to complete the term of Alexander .Sandy" Sprunt.
Contract/Agreement Changes: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Pleasure of the Board
Total Cost: $ N/A
Cost to Land Authority: $ N/A
Budgeted: Yes _ NO _'
Source of Funds: NlA
Approved By: Attorney.....!- County Land steward N/A
Approval: ~<. m.J:ku
eyor Dixie Sp ar
Documentation: Included: X
To Follow:
Not Required: _'
Agenda Item LA #3
Disposition:
Monroe County Board and Committees
Appointment Information
Board or Committee: Land Authority Advisory Committee
Appointing Commissioner: Mayor Dixie Spehar
Appointee: Debra Harrison
Address: 8075 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
Phone Number: 289-1010
Original Appointment: August 21, 2002
Reappointment: September 17, 2003
Date New Term Expires: October 20,2006
Person Being Replaced: N/A
Fulfilling Term of: N/A
Other Information: Environmental representative, per Section 9.3-6(a), Monroe
County Code
Debra S. Harrison
World Wildlife Fund
8075 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305-289- I 010
forpanda@bellsouth.net
Summary:
Debbie Harrison is director of World Wildlife Fund's Florida Keys Program, based in Marathon,
Florida. She participates in land use, water quality, and marine issues as a part ofWWF efforts to develop
sustainable communities around the globe.
Recent Accomplishments:
. Ohio Key: Secured funding and agreement for acquisition of Ohio Key to protect endangered species; is
currently working with USFWS to develop a management plan.
. National Marine Sanctuary: Working with the NMS program, will be conducting workshops to help coastal
communities gain tools of collaborative, multi-stakeholder negotiation to establish marine protected areas.
. Tortugas Marine Protected Area management plan: As a sitting member ofthe Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary T2000 Working Group, helped form a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing
interests, scientists, and marine sanctuary managers to create the largest fully-protected MPA in the United
States.
. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Helped to win Governor and Cabinet support for the
implementation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; helped craft its management plan and water
quality improvement program. As a sitting member of its advisory council, has been instrumental in helping
craft a wide variety of policies, positions, and programs to protect and preserve the marine ecosystem,
including fisheries, habitat protection, water quality, and economic issues.
. Freshwater Wetlands: Helped secure Save Our Rivers appropriation from the SFWMD to acquire lands in
the Florida Keys to protect the freshwater wetlands.
. Everglades Restoration: As a sitting member of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South
Florida, helped craft policies and identify critical lands for acquisition.
. Coral Reef Protection: As chair of the 100 member Coral Reef Coalition, helped secure broad-based
support for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and its marine-habitat protection plans.
. Florida Bay: As a founding member of the Water Quality Joint Action Group, has fostered consensus
building among fishermen, conservationists, and citizens who take action to help preserve and restore the
health of Florida Bay.
. Land Acquisition: Supported state and federal acquisition projects for the Florida Keys for the past 15
years.
Appointments:
2001-
2000-
1999-2000
1995-
1995-2000
1992-2000
1990-1995
1990-1992
South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, Marine Protected Area Advisory
Committee.
Executive Board member, Pigeon Key Foundation, for historic preservation and
conservation.
Member Tortugas 2000 Working Group.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
Governor's appointment to the Commission for a Sustainable South Florida.
Governor's appointment to the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
Chair of the Coral Reef Coalition.
Board Member, Florida Keys league of Women Voters.
Awards and Honors:
Chevron Conservation Award
1998: The nation's oldest conservation award for conservation
achievements by an individual.
NOAA Environmental Hero 1996
Conservation Colleague Award 1993: The Nature Conservancy
Education and Professional Development:
1998
1996
1989-1996
1987-1989
1985-1987
1979
1974
Admitted to American Planning Association.
Joined WWF to direct its Florida Keys Program, in order to protect one of the
planet's most endangered ecoregions, the coral reef, Florida Bay, and the
surrounding marine habitat.
The Wilderness Society; involved in helping craft the Monroe County
comprehensive land-use plan, securing conservation for endangered species,
including the federally protected Key Deer.
Project manager for Florida Keys Land and Sea Trust; performing environmental
assessments, comprehensive plan review.
Land use planner, Monroe County, Florida: preparing the comprehensive plan for
the Florida Keys.
Land Use Drafting, Lambton College, Sarina, Ontario.
Bachelor of Science, urban planning and conservation biology, Central Michigan
University.