NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council at the Hyatt Place in Marathon Florida, at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.  Members of the public are welcome to attend.  Public comment periods are scheduled for 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

The meeting will include a presentation on the on-going management plan review process, past action, status and next steps to ensure all current and newly appointed advisory council members are informed and have the background necessary to effectively engage as the process continues.  The new Chair and Co-Chair will lead a discussion among advisory council members regarding their role in providing recommendations to the Sanctuary Superintendent and as liaisons with the community.

The council will also hear from Stephen Davis, wetland ecologist of Everglades Foundation on status of the Everglades and Florida Bay.  Finally, Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year, Ed Guillory, will be recognized.

WHAT:           Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting

WHEN:           June 20, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

WHERE:         Hyatt Place – 1996 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

WHO:              NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

To receive more information, or to request a meeting agenda, please contact Beth Dieveney at 305-809-4710 or [email protected]

Authorized in 1990 and established in 1992, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary. The council has 20 representatives and alternates from community constituent groups, and 10 government agencies have non-voting representatives on the council. Serving in a voluntary capacity, the council members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats, as well as shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov , find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join NOAA on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.