2026 Florida Resilience Conference: Full Schedule

10:40am EDT

Resilient Reef Initiatives

Thursday September 24, 2026 10:40am - 11:10am EDT

Royal Tern A

Speakers

Alex Reed

Director, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Curt Storlazzi, PhD

Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal & Marine Hazards & Resources Program

Dr. Curt Storlazzi is a research geologist in the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program. He earned a B.Sc. from the University of Delaware in geology and a Ph.D. in coastal geology and oceanography from the University of California. He... Read More →

Thursday September 24, 2026 10:40am - 11:10am EDT
Royal Tern A

Beaches, B3

11:10am EDT

Franklin 98 Living Shoreline

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:10am - 11:30am EDT

Royal Tern A

Speakers

Brian Branciforte

Environmental Planning Manager, Apalachee Regional Planning Council

Brian Branciforte is the Environmental Planning Manager for the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, directing regional environmental and resilience projects and working collaboratively with government, community, nonprofit, and industry stakeholders. He leverages more than 20 years... Read More →

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:10am - 11:30am EDT
Royal Tern A

Beaches, B3

11:30am EDT

Reconstructing Ben T. Davis Beach: Engineering, Ecology, and Public Life at an Urban Shoreline

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:30am - 11:50am EDT

Royal Tern A

Speakers

Brian Cook

Director of Urban Design and Resilience, Applied Sciences Consulting

As the Director of Urban Design and Resiliency at Applied Sciences, Mr. Cook works across disciplines to develop more complex, creative, and layered projects. †Brianís recent work has been focused on coastal resiliency, sea-level rise, strategies for community engagement, and methods... Read More →

Ping Wang, Ph.D.

Professor and Director of the Coastal Research Laboratory, University of South Florida

Dr. Ping Wang is a Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida (USF) and serves as the Director of the Coastal Research Laboratory. His research focuses on coastal morphodynamics, nearshore sediment transport, and shore protection.

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:30am - 11:50am EDT
Royal Tern A

Beaches, B3

11:50am EDT

Protecting Tampa’s History: Philippe Park Living Shoreline Project

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:50am - 12:10pm EDT

Royal Tern A

Speakers

Bryan Flynn

Program Manager, Environmental Science Associates

Bryan is a Sr. Coastal Engineer and Program Manager for ESA's Environmental Restoration & Design Group based in Tampa, FL. Throughout his career he has been fortunate to work across Florida and Alabama on beach nourishment, marsh restoration and living shoreline projects.

Thursday September 24, 2026 11:50am - 12:10pm EDT
Royal Tern A

Beaches, B3