5th Annual Florida Climate Forecast Conference: Climate & Biodiversity
November 13, 2025 @ 8:00AM — 4:45PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee Campus in the Selby Auditorium: 8350 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Get Directions

How Climate Warming Is Reshaping Florida’s Ecosystems
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- 🌎 Learn what’s changing in Florida’s ecosystems
- 🌿 Understand how biodiversity loss affects everything from agriculture to tourism
- 💡 Discover innovative adaptation and resilience strategies from top experts
- 🤝 Connect with leaders shaping the future of Florida’s environment
Agenda
8:00 a.m. Check-in and Coffee/Refreshments
8:30 a.m. Welcome – Bob Bunting, CEO and Chairman, Climate Adaptation Center (CAC), and Brett Kemker, Ph.D., Interim Regional Chancellor, University of South Florida, Sarasota–Manatee
8:35 a.m. Introduction of Sponsors, Dignitaries, and Guests – Bob Bunting, CEO and Chairman, Climate Adaptation Center (CAC)
Session 1: From Paleoclimates to the Climate Today and to the Outlook until 2100 – How Climate Drives Biodiversity
8:40 a.m. Climate & Biodiversity through Deep Time – Kenneth Lacovara, Ph.D., Founding Former Dean, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Founding Executive Director, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Rowan University
9:20 a.m. Audience Q & A
9:40 a.m. Global Climate and Biodiversity since the Last Ice Age, Zeroing in on Florida’s Unique Challenge – Bob Bunting, CEO and Chairman, Climate Adaptation Center (CAC)
10:20 a.m. Audience Q & A
10:40 a.m. Break / Refreshments (20 minutes)
Session 2: Florida’s Ecosystems on the Brink
11:00 a.m. From the Everglades to the Gulf: How Climate Change is Reshaping Florida’s Ecosystems – Pam Soltis, Ph.D., Director, University of Florida Biodiversity Institute
11:40 a.m. Audience Q & A
11:45 a.m. Lunch – Outside on USFSM Plaza (Lunch ticket required)
Session 3: Coastal and Marine Biodiversity at Risk
12:30 p.m. The Coastal Crisis: Rising Seas, Warming Oceans, and Ecosystem Collapse – Alastair Harborne, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Institute of Environment & Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University
1:10 p.m. Audience Q & A
Session 4: The Human Dimension – Economy, Communities, and Policy
1:20 p.m. How Are We Gonna Pay for It? – Colin Polsky, Ph.D., Professor of Geosciences and Associate Vice President, Broward Campuses, Florida Atlantic University
2:00 p.m. Audience Q & A
2:10 p.m. Break / Refreshments (20 minutes)
Session 5: Technology, Collaboration, and Vision – Shaping Florida’s Biodiversity Future
2:30 p.m. Biotechnology Advances for Wildlife Conservation – Liv Liberman, Ph.D., Program Manager, Revive & Restore
3:10 p.m. Audience Q & A
3:20 p.m. Innovation and Novel Interventions to Support Coral Reef Restoration – Erinn Muller, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research, Program Manager for Coral Health & Disease, Senior Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
4:00 p.m. Audience Q & A
Session 6: Florida Action and Commitment Panel
4:10 p.m. Florida Action and Commitment Panel – Moderator: Elizabeth Moore, Board Member, Climate Adaptation Center (CAC); Panelists: Hilary Swain, Ph.D., Executive Director & CEO, Archbold Biological Station, and Mallory Dimmitt, CEO, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
(10-minute informational presentations by panelists followed by 15 minutes of moderated discussion and 10 minutes of interactive audience Q&A. Bob Bunting joins panel for closing reflections and actionable commitments.)
4:40 p.m. Closing Remarks
4:45 p.m. Adjourn
Thank you to our sponsors!
- Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation is a Gold sponsor
- WUSF is a Gold sponsor
- Sarasota Magazine is a Gold sponsor
- Tommy Express Car Wash is our seasonal sponsor
- CSA Group is a silver sponsor
- USF Sarasota-Manatee is a sponsor
Become A Member
Category 5 members receive VIP tickets for all conference events and receptions.
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