CBA Celebrates 17 years of Protecting and Restoring the Choctawhatchee Watershed
4/9/2012
March 30, 2012- The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College recently celebrated 17 years of protecting and restoring the Choctawhatchee watershed at its annual meeting. During the event, held at the Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, CBA Director Julie Terrell provided a summary of the impact made by CBA programs over the last year and recognized volunteers, members, donors and sponsors.
The 2012 CBA Advisory Committee members were also installed at the annual meeting and include: Mark Shaeffer of Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. (Chair), Mitch Shank (Vice-Chair), Ross Hamilton of Collegiate High School of NWFSC (Treasure), Tim Norris of Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. (Secretary), Dennis Peters of Gulf South Research Corporations, James Ward of Fort Walton Beach Glass, Bill Schultz of Schultz and Associated, Ltd., Monica Autry of Destin Water Users, Inc., Alicia Keeter of South Walton Utilities, Inc., Dawn Pack of Okaloosa County Schools, Taylor (Chips) Kirschenfeld of Escambia County (Ex-Officio), Mike Flynt (Ex-Officio), and Dan Robeen of Eglin AFB (Ex-Officio). The next CBA Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for April 4th at 4:30 pm at the Legendary Offices in Destin Commons and is open to the public.
Highlights of CBA's program accomplishments last year included the following:
Monitoring:
Education:
Research:
Restoration:
Terrell commented that "CBA Programs are so successful because of all the various volunteers, members, donors and sponsors that work together to provide the largest impact possible. CBA facilitates partnerships from the federal, state, and local area to accomplish its program goals."
Some of CBA partners and sponsors that were recognized include the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Walton County, City of Destin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, AmeriCorps, Eglin Natural Resources Branch, Jason Guard, Community Collaborations International, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Dugas Family Foundation, Elizabeth Dunn Foundation, Florida LAKEWATCH, University of West Florida, University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Walt Spence, Douglas Buck, Destin Water Users, Inc., South Walton Utilities, Inc., Bluewater High and Dry, Boeing corporation, Norcross, MidBay Bridge Authority, Wal-Mart, Baytowne Marina, Ross Hamilton, Two Oaks Ventures, Inc. and the Town of Cinco Bayou.
Terrell also provided a financial summary of CBA's programs. "Ninety-four cents of every dollar received through memberships, sponsorships, or donations goes directly into one of CBA's four program areas," Terrell said. "By keeping our membership services low, we make every penny count!" We invite you to help support CBA's programs by becoming a CBA member or volunteer. To find out about CBA memberships and volunteer opportunities, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, visit www.basinalliance.org, call (850) 200-4171 or email CBA@nwfsc.edu.