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Managing Freshwater for the Future in Florida

Project Photo

One of the few pristine, mangrove-forested estuaries in the country, Florida’s Rookery Bay Estuary is a critical breeding ground for the fisheries that underpin the region’s economy. Balancing the freshwater needs of the estuary with those of local communities is increasingly challenging as population growth and sea level rise tax freshwater resources. Decision-makers need information about freshwater requirements of the estuary and the perspectives of water users to effectively manage water resources.

The Rookery Bay Reserve led a multidisciplinary team to develop a science-based framework that stakeholders can use to collaborate and make decisions about water resources that maintain the health of the estuary and support its surrounding communities.