Natural Resources Action Team Presentation: Low Impact Development, Advocacy & Lessons from Local Government
Click Here to Register for this Natural Resources Action Team Meeting Program
Join Marine Resources Council Executive Director Dr. Laura Wilson to learn how Low Impact Development (LID) can protect Florida’s waterways and strengthen community resilience. Stormwater runoff—carrying nutrients and pollutants from roads, rooftops, and lawns—remains one of the greatest threats to our surface waters. LID offers practical, science‑based strategies that work with nature rather than against it and practical experience-based strategies to effect change at the local government level.
Dr. Wilson will introduce techniques such as rain gardens, permeable pavers, vegetated swales, and other green stormwater infrastructure that slow, filter, and absorb runoff close to where it falls. She will also share insights from her conversations with municipalities about their stormwater challenges, what solutions are gaining traction, and how residents can become strong advocates for LID in their own communities. Whether you’re a homeowner, organization, business owner, planner, or simply a concerned resident, you’ll leave with practical examples and clear pathways for action.
Speaker
Inspired by the natural world, Laura pursues work that brings together her love of learning, teaching, and exploring. She earned her B.S. in Geology from Washington & Lee University, M.S. in Earth Sciences from Montana State University, and Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Wilson joined the Marine Resources Council as Executive Director in June 2024. With a background in paleontology, she brings a big-picture approach to restoring our ecosystem—looking at how water, wildlife, communities, and policy all connect. She emphasizes using sound science to guide decisions, building strong partnerships, and fostering a culture of continuous learning so that together, we can create lasting improvements for our environment.
