• Presenters: Scott Jackson, Florida Sea Grant Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Bay County
• Description: After Hurricane Michael, UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant filled a critical gap in long-term recovery, leading marine debris removal when few others could. With UF’s grant management and procurement support, we secured funding, hired a project manager and field staff, and focused on applying marine and coastal expertise.
  
  Rather than an immediate response, our role was to sustain and implement recovery efforts after the emergency phase ended. Acting as a general manager, I connected teams with University, NOAA, and NFWF resources to ensure they had the tools to get the job done.
  
  This presentation will highlight how Extension agents and professionals can play a vital role in disaster recovery by utilizing institutional support, partnerships, and expertise to support recovery efforts.

Scott Jackson has served Northwest Florida with UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant since 2000. As Bay County Extension Director and a Regional Specialized Agent, he focuses on artificial reefs, fisheries, and coastal resiliency.

He led a $3 million NOAA/NFWF-funded marine debris removal project after Hurricane Michael, working with federal and state agencies, industry partners, and technical experts to improve post-storm recovery. Scott is currently involved in efforts to develop AI and GIS-based tools for marine debris identification and cost estimation.

He has collaborated with Sea Grant programs nationwide, and recently supported disaster response session at Sea Grant Week in Savannah (2024). Scott holds a master's in marine aquaculture from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi and a bachelor's in wildlife & fisheries science from Texas A&M University. He lives in Lynn Haven, Florida, with his wife Angela, currently on a travel nursing assignment in Bangor, Maine. They have two adult children and a pack of dogs.

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