The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) congratulates Chairman Brian Yablonski on his new position as Executive Director of the Property and Environment Research Center, a national conservation research institute in Bozeman, Montana, focused on environmental entrepreneurship and market-based conservation. He will begin his new role in January 2018.
“On behalf of the state of Florida, we truly appreciate Brian’s service. His focus has helped make this a great place for families to live, work and enjoy the outdoors,” said Gov. Rick Scott. “I am confident Brian will continue to work to conserve our nation’s natural treasures. I wish him and his family all the best in this next endeavor.”
Yablonski began his service to the FWC in January 2004 and has held positions as vice chairman and chairman. He will continue to serve in his current role through the end of this year.
“I can think of no one better-suited for this important role with PERC,” said Nick Wiley, FWC Executive Director. “We know more great things are on the horizon for America’s fish and wildlife resources and habitats, and we cannot thank Chairman Yablonski enough for his leadership and conservation legacy with the FWC.”
Yablonski’s leadership on the Commission has been grounded in his attention to Florida’s diverse wildlife and unique habitats. In a state with over 20 million residents and 100 million visitors, he understood the importance of engaging landowners, anglers, hunters, sportsmen, wildlife and bird watchers, hikers, paddlers and recreational boaters while focusing on common ground.
During his 14 years at FWC, Yablonski worked to create new critical wildlife areas, provide landowners and citizens with more conservation incentives – including a constitutional amendment providing tax relief for conservation – and support freedoms and opportunities for current and future generations to enjoy Florida’s natural resources. In 2009, Yablonski was named Florida’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year by the Florida Wildlife Federation, and in 2016 he was the recipient of Audubon Florida’s Theodore Roosevelt Award.
“It has been a true lifetime honor and privilege to work with my fellow Commissioners and FWC staff, the best in the nation, as we’ve engaged with stakeholders, partners and residents on the important issues impacting wild Florida,” Yablonski said. “Florida has been my home for more than 25 years. Its great beauty, bountiful fish and wildlife resources, and good friends working in the stewardship arena, will always have a special place in my heart. To serve on behalf of our fish and wildlife in a state that served as an inspiration for Theodore Roosevelt has made all the difference. I will reflect fondly on our efforts and successes here in Florida as I engage in new and exciting ways to advance the cause of conservation.”
You can view the announcement from PERC at PERC.org.
Items to watch
Items to watch for the upcoming Board of Governors meeting
Campaign Press Conference: The Board of Governors and all 12 universities will come together to announce the State University System’s 2017 legislative campaign. Featured speakers (in order of appearance) include Board of Governors Chair Tom Kuntz, Senator Gary Farmer, University of West Florida Student Timothy Jones, University of Florida Professor and Director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute Glenn Morris, M.D., M.P.H., T.M., Florida State University Student Genevieve Bell, and Board of Governors Vice Chair Ned Lautenbach. 12 p.m., Capitol 4th floor, Senate side
Accountability Report: Board members will consider the 2015-16 Annual Accountability Report, which provides information and metrics on the System’s progress toward the 2025 Strategic Plan Goals. Highlights include year-over-year improvements on six of the eight performance funding metrics that are common to all universities. Committee: Strategic Planning.
Annual Report for Online Education: Board members will discuss the System’s first ever Annual Report for Online Education, which marks the System’s progress toward the goals set in the 2025 Strategic Plan for Online Education and identifies opportunities for future improvements. Committee: Innovation and Online
University Research: Board members will discuss the Research and Innovation Metrics Dashboard, designed to document the System’s progress toward its research goals. Additionally, Vice Chancellor Jan Ignash will provide a brief presentation on the magnitude of research in the State University System, particularly from the perspective of its immediate and long-term impacts on the economic and social vitality of Florida. Task Force on University Research.
Student Mental Health: Board members will discuss a new information brief on the rising demand for mental health services, the current staffing levels and impact of counseling centers, as well as information about students in crisis. Committee: Academic and Student Affairs.
Presidential Confirmations: The Board will consider the appointment of Florida Gulf Coast University Presidential Candidate Michael Martin and the reappointment of University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft. Full Board Meeting.
UCF Hospital: The Board will consider approval of the UCF Lake Nona Medical Center, a proposed joint-venture between UCF’s College of Medicine and Hospital Corporation of America. Committee: Facilities.
Think Florida Panel: Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson, Department of Economic Opportunity Director Cissy Proctor, and Florida Council of 100 President and CEO Bob Ward will discuss talent and the state workforce. The discussion is a part of the Think Florida: A Higher Degree for Business campaign, designed to strengthen ties between the State University System and the business community. Full Board Meeting.
*Reporter’s Note
The Board of Governors meeting will be held at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, with committee meetings scheduled to begin March 29 at 1:30 p.m. The full Board meeting is scheduled to begin on March 30 at 1 p.m. Meeting times are subject to change. The full agenda and live streaming are available at flbog.edu. Updates are also available on Facebook and Twitter and on the Board of Governors app.
