Alliance Overview

From vanishing open spaces to poor air and water quality, Florida faces serious environmental challenges. Meeting these challenges takes more than just awareness and a desire to do the right thing. It takes skill, determination, and strategic action. That’s why the Gulf State Governors has teamed up with state and local governments and 13 federal agencies to create the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.


Beyond the borders of Florida

Realizing that the Gulf’s problems extend beyond the borders of Florida and the United States, the White House got involved and organized a series of workshops, where state leaders laid their states’ problems on the table and successfully developed a 36-month action plan that would address the most critical of environmental issues. Representatives from 5 Mexican states attended with the commitment of working with the United States in continuing this effort throughout Mexico. Rookery Bay played a key role from the beginning by hosting the first in a series of 8 community workshops around the Gulf region in summer of 2005. To continue with this proposed action plan, Rookery Bay is hosting another series of community workshops that gather recommendations, input, and the needs of experienced officials and community members alike.


Workshops

These workshops, which are the first continuing efforts in the Gulf region, kicked off in January of 2007 and addressed locally relevant topics such as Red Tide, Water Management with regards to Climate Change, and Sustainable Development. Like the original workshops, the ultimate goal is to develop an action plan which will contribute to the overall health of the Gulf. Bringing it to a more personal and local level, this action plan is tackling issues that were voted of most importance to Southwest Florida and Collier County in particular. With the community’s support, significant changes can and are being made right here in your backyard, enhancing the quality of life of every citizen.