HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-064
RESOLUTION NO. 09-064
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. EDITH WIDDER AND
MR. KEITH PAGLEN, FROM THE OCEAN RESEARCH AND
CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (ORCA) , FOR THEIR
RESEARCH AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PROTECTING
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND THE SPECIES THEY SUSTAIN
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGIES AND SCIENCE BASED CONSERVATION
ACTION
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida, has made the following determinations:
1. Dr. Edith "Edie" Widder and Mr. Keith Paglen met in 2003
when they both worked at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution located in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
2. In 2005, internationally recognized deep-sea-explorer Dr.
Edith Widder and corporate executive Keith Paglen founded the Ocean
Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a new scientific and
conservation not-for-profit organization.
3 .
"The
goal was
to
create
a marine
conservation
organization with the scientific integrity of a research institute
and the marketing power of a conservation organization" said Dr.
Widder.
"It makes sense that a scientist and a marketer working
together could achieve great things on behalf of the ocean."
4. The world's first network of ORCA's Kilroy water
moni toring systems, the newest conservation tool being developed by
the Ocean Research & Conservation Association to provide more
accurate water quality data than conventional sampling methods,
began initial monitoring tests on February 11, 2009 in the Indian
River Lagoon.
5. ORCA's Kilroy monitoring system, named after the
fictional World War II cartoon character that accompanied Allied
forces, is the most comprehensive and affordable aquatic monitoring
system that will empower governments and communities to develop and
implement more informed conservation programs to address coastal
water quality challenges.
6. Kilroy is slightly larger than a football and costs
significantly less than other sensors, and nimbly monitors a water
body's vital signs flow, speed, direction, turbidity,
temperature, salinity and the prevalence of key microorganisms,
including those responsible for red tides associated with paralytic
shellfish poisoning.
7.
As
the
nation's
first
technology-based
marine
conservation organization, ORCA is dedicated to the protection and
restoration of marine ecosystems and the species they sustain
through the development of innovative technologies and science-
based conservation action.
8. This Board believes that dedication such as that
demonstrated by Dr. Edith Widder and Mr. Keith Paglen should be
recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby commend Dr. Edith Widder and Mr.
Keith Paglen, from the Ocean Research and Conservation Association
(ORCA), for their research and accomplishments in protecting Marine
Ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of
innovative technologies and science based conservation action.
2. This Board believes that the application of Dr. Widder's
expertise in oceanographic research and technological innovation to
reversing the worldwide trend of marine ecosystem degradation, and
her dedication and devotion to that end; along with the experience
in marketing power, knowledge, devotion and dedication of Mr. Keith
Paglen; is sure to bring about enormous breakthroughs for not only
the betterment of waterways and citizens of St. Lucie County and
Florida, but has the potential to save the waterways of America and
the world.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 24th day of February, 2009.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY' Jd~~1~
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
CORiJ;3~'
COUNTY AT