Stetson will host an expert panel discussion on Florida water policy, bringing together leaders in environmental law, advocacy and science to address the state’s most pressing water challenges. The event, titled “Florida Water Policy: Chatting with the Experts,” will take place Monday, March 31, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Stetson’s DeLand campus.

The panel discussion is organized by Stetson’s student chapters of Audubon and Friends of the Everglades in collaboration with the Stetson Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER). The panel aims to inform the community and engage students in a solutions-oriented discussion.

The event is free and open to the public on the second floor of the Carlton Union Building. Attendees can enjoy refreshments and raffle prizes.

“Water issues affect every Floridian, and this panel will provide insight into the policies shaping our state’s future,” said Jason Evans, PhD, executive director of Stetson’s Water Institute. “Through events like this, we empower students and the community to engage in real-world environmental problem-solving.”

Panelists Include

• Royal C. Gardner – Law professor at Stetson’s College of Law and director of the Stetson Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy. He is known internationally for his work on wetland protection and water policy and is author of Waters of the United States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource.

• Eve Samples – Executive director of Friends of the Everglades, a nonprofit organization founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and a veteran Florida environmental journalist focusing on Everglades restoration and water quality issues.

• Jason Evans, PhD – Professor of environmental science and studies and executive director of IWER at Stetson. He also serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Environmental Management, a leading academic publication in environmental science, engineering and policy.

• Ryan Smart – Executive director of the Florida Springs Council, a statewide alliance advocating for the protection of Florida’s springs and a leading voice on water policy in Tallahassee.

Expert panel discussions, such as this, play a crucial role in Stetson’s environmental advocacy efforts. They bring together diverse perspectives — legal, scientific and grassroots — allowing students and community members to interact directly with professionals on the front lines of Florida’s water issues.

By hearing from experts like Law Professor Gardner, who has helped shape wetland protection policy, or advocates like Samples and Smart, who fight for cleaner water and stronger laws, attendees gain insight into how they can turn passion into action. The goal is to not only inform attendees about Florida’s water policy challenges but also to inspire solutions — whether through careers in environmental fields, conservation volunteering or sustainable lifestyle choices.

“Central Florida faces incredibly complex environmental problems — climate change, sea level rise, harmful algal blooms, freshwater scarcity—that require deep thinking and innovation,” Evans added. “Engaging students in conversations with experts is one way Stetson is cultivating that deep thinking and empowering young people to advocate for a more sustainable future.”

Event Details

• What: Florida Water Policy: Chatting with the Experts.
• When: Monday, March 31, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Where: Second floor, Carlton Union Building, Stetson University (DeLand campus).
• Admission: Free and open to the public.
• Sponsors: Stetson Audubon, Stetson Friends of the Everglades, and Stetson’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER).

Following the panel discussion, attendees are invited to a book signing with Law Professor Royal Gardner from 5 to 6 p.m. in the same venue.