FGCU professor speaks about water at chamber luncheon

Dr. Greg Tolley, executive director and professor of Florida Gulf Coast University's Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences, was the guest speaker at the July 9 luncheon of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce held at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.

Tolley's current research interests focus on the influence of freshwater inflow on estuarine ecosystems and aquatic resources. However, he spoke to chamber business members about the differences and similarities of blue-green algae and red tide, as well as the goal of the new FGCU Water School. While water is a broad term, the focus of the school is on water security or its impact on the health of humans and ecosystem, and economic and social development.

"I like to think about how they connect with one another," Tolley said. "If we get the water right, we have a healthy ecosystem and a healthy us. If we have a healthy ecosystem and a healthy us, we have healthy businesses and a healthy society."