Three agents from IBAMA, the major federal agency on environmental protection in Brazil, traveled to Pensacola recently. Northwest Florida was their last stop before they returned home. Previous cities visited included Washington D.C., Reno (NV), San Francisco (CA), and Jackson (WY).
At the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Dick Fancher, Mike Kennedy, Barbara Ruth, David Morris, Rick Bradburn, and John Beacham presented an environmental overview of the area and discussed interaction between DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also covered were regulation, licensing and environmental assessment, and criminal prosecution.
Captain Mary Sumner of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Bill Arnold from the Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center gave a short presentation the work of their agencies. The delegation and the presenters shared some common issues including the problem created by pet snakes that are released in urban areas after they grow past the size of their tanks.
At the Northwest Florida Wildlife Sanctuary, Dorothy Kaufmann took the delegates around the facility where birds and other wild animals are nursed or prepared to be released into their natural habitat.
Later that afternoon, the group met with Keith Wilkins who talked about the effort of Escambia County to enhance the quality of life through conservation, preservation, and revitalization of the natural and built environment. Land development was one of the most discussed topics during the meeting. Mr. Wilkins brought up the role of property rights in U.S. land development, while the Brazilian perspective showed how their economic development has pushed for a rapid land development that sometimes prioritizes environmental protection.
The last meeting of the day was with Boy Scout Troop 628 in Cantonment. One of the delegates, a former Brazilian Boy Scout, talked about his country to the young men, and the two parties shared the contrasts and similarities about the different Boy Scout perspectives.
On the second day, the Brazilian delegation met with Dr. Wade Jeffrey at the University of West Florida where they discussed global warming and climate change. Dr. Jeffrey shared his experiences from a trip to the Arctic region, and the Brazilians shared their difficulties in protecting important natural resources, including the rain forest.
Before the end of their program, the Brazilian delegates experienced the excitement of the Blue Angels Homecoming Show.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council is grateful for the community members who made this program such a great experience for our delegates.
