POA Stetson 2014 Climate Conference

Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship: A Forum Presented

by Partners of the Americas and Stetson University* *Sponsored by the Florida-Colombia Partners of the Americas to Mark 50 Years of “Connecting, Serving, and Changing Lives in the Americas.�

Friday, April 4, 2014, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Rinker Environmental Learning Center, 230 E. Michigan Ave., Stetson University, DeLand, FL. Open to the Public, All Welcome Contact: Dr. John K. Schorr, jschorr@stetson.edu (386) 405-2212, for further information.

Cultural Credit available for Stetson University undergraduate students.

Program Agenda: 9:00-9:30am

Informal gathering with continental breakfast

9:30-9:40am

Opening Comments

9:40-10:30am

Partners of the Americas Programs for the Environment, College Students, Volunteers, Florida Partners, Colombian Partners, Partners Campus. How Can You Get Involved?

10:30-11:30am

Climate Change in the Americas, Partners of the Americas Climate Change Fellows Panel.

11:30-12:15pm

Climate Feud Game Show, Audience Participation (Prizes).

12:15-1:30pm

Lunch Break, Hip Hop Music by Sekajipo and Florida Partner Alberto Gomez Art Exhibit.

1:30-2:00pm

Examples of Partners Environmental Projects and Opportunities: “Our Birds are Their Birds Too.� Student-to-Student Program between Florida and Colombia.

2:00-2:30pm

Florida's Passive-Aggressive Policy and Approach to Climate Change. Clay Henderson.

2:30-3:00pm

Building Partnerships for Environmental Stewardship and Positive Change in the Americas. Steve Vetter.

3:00-4:00pm

Panel and Audience Discussion of Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship in the Americas.

4:00-4:30pm

Closing Remarks, Raffle Drawing.

4:30-5:00pm

Informal Discussion, Music Performance and Art Exhibit.

Featured Speakers and Panelists: Mr. Clay Henderson, Speaker: is senior counsel at Holland & Knight specializing in environment, land use and smart growth, and nationally recognized for his work on land conservation issues. He was elected to the Volusia County Council from 1986-92 and served as President of Florida Audubon Society from 1995-2000. In 1998 he served on the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and sponsored most of the environmental provisions in Florida's Constitution. He has extensive experience in conservation land acquisition and planning and has negotiated the acquisition of over 300,000 acres of lands now part of national and state parks and preserves. He has received numerous public service awards from groups including: the Nature Conservancy, Florida Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Florida Audubon Society, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Stetson University and League of Women Voters. The Florida Bar honored him with the Bill Sadowski Memorial Award for lifetime public service in environmental law. The Central Florida Partnership named him Champion of Sustainability. His book, The Floridas, celebrates the state's special places and he is an adjunct professor at Rollins College and Stetson University for environmental studies.

Mr. Steve Vetter, Speaker: has served as the President and CEO of Partners of the Americas since 2008. With over 35 years of experience in international and domestic development, Vetter offers a rich background in international voluntary service, grassroots community leadership and developing public-private partnerships to reduce poverty and improve the economic and social development of disadvantaged populations. Prior to his arrival at Partners, Vetter held a number of executive-level positions at the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), a public corporation dedicated to supporting the self-help efforts of grassroots communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also served as the President and CEO of Eureka Communities, a nonprofit leadership program that provided fellowship support to inner city leaders working to improve the life conditions of children and families living in poverty. He is also an active Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

Panelists:

Dr. Tony Abbott, Panelist: Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, Stetson University. Partners of the Americas Climate Change Fellow.

Dr. Barbara Bischof, Panelist: Visiting Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, Stetson University Ms. Melissa Golladay, Panelist: Director of the Climate Change Fellows Program, Partners of the Americas, Washington, DC. Mr. John November, Panelist: Executive Director of Outreach, COAST: Coastal Ocean Association of Science & Technology, Inc. St. Augustine, Florida. Partners of the Americas Climate Change Fellow.

Guests: Mr. Juan Camilo Benevides, President Central Colombia, Partners of the Americas.

Ms. Raaida Mannaa, Representative of the North Colombia Partners and Partners of the Americas International Board Member.