GEER 2021: Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration
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2021 Virtual Dates:
Week 1: April 19-22, 2021
Week 2: April 26-29, 2021

Virtual GEER 2021 was a success!

We made the decision to conduct GEER 2021 virtually due to Covid-19 and despite the fact we missed meeting in person, GEER was still a smashing success. Those who attended and actively participated in the networking and discussion sessions, were able to enjoy the the camaraderie and interactions that are a hallmark of GEER.

Conference Format

GEER 2021 was conducted on the Zoom virtual platform over a two-week period and was attended by 473 dedicated members of the GEER community. The program consisted of an optional pre-conference workshop on Scientific Data Analysis, 10 plenary sessions, 35 concurrent sessions featuring 194 talks, 21 panelists who participated in round table discussions, 33 poster presentations, and four outstanding Design, Innovation and Governance (DIG) talks – all focused on Everglades science and restoration.

Presentations Are Available

If you were not able to attend the LIVE virtual conference, it’s not too late! All sessions were recorded and are available for on-demand viewing on the GEER virtual platform. You can register for virtual access and enjoy password protected on-demand access until the next GEER in 2023 so you can view presentations at your leisure.

Thank you for being part of the GEER Community

GEER participants are a close-knit community of people working to protect and restore the Everglades and all of south Florida's unique and beautiful natural resources. For those of you who were able to attend and make presentations, we value your participation, and we look forward to everyone's continued engagement. Working together, the GEER community can continue advancing Everglades science and restoration.

Overview

Adapting Science and Management to a Changing World

Greater Everglades science continues to be a foundation element for Everglades restoration and management. Building on the success of previous GEER conferences, GEER 2021 presentations addressed the most pressing and complex science issues that we face now and into the future of restoration – a future that includes uncertain climate patterns, threats from invasive species, altered hydrology, development pressure, and degraded water quality.

High-quality science has supported many facets of Everglades restoration, including:

  • examining the ecological and hydrological effects of new CERP projects and a revised Lake Okeechobee operating schedule
  • investigating invasive species such as the Burmese python and the Argentine black and white tegu, and how we can better detect and control them in the future
  • providing advanced and easy-to-use scientific tools for restoration managers
  • studying how to best achieve balance between restoration goals and endangered species protection
  • assessment of how a degraded Everglades will respond to restored sheet flow

Sound science relevant to these challenges and the restoration efforts is required to provide resource managers and policy-makers with the best information possible. GEER will continue its legacy of providing a valuable forum for scientists and engineers to showcase and communicate the latest scientific developments, and to facilitate information exchange that builds shared understanding among federal, state, local, and tribal scientists and decision-makers, academia, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and private citizens.

Curious if this conference is for you? Visit our Who Should Attend page.