July 15 Joint Program: Balancing Florida's Economy and Ecology for a Thriving Future

Presented by Meredith Budd, Deputy Director

Live Wildly Foundation

livewildly.com

Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa

July 15, 6 - 8:30 pm

Potluck. Bring a dish to share

Joint Meeting with Tampa Audubon, Sierra Club and Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

Florida’s future—and our quality of life—depends on how well we balance growth with the protection of our natural resources. Live Wildly is building a statewide movement that brings together partners across sectors, ensuring Florida remains a place where people and nature can thrive. This talk will explore how connections -- to nature, to place, and to each other — can drive lasting conservation impact and support a resilient, prosperous future for the state.

Bio:

Meredith is the Deputy Director at the Live Wildly Foundation. Live Wildly Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that applies an entrepreneurial approach to conservation while seeking to balance smart growth, a robust economy and a connected, resilient landscape.

As the organization’s senior strategist, Meredith engages with federal, state and local governments, institutions, and the non-profit and private sectors to build and maintain strategic relationships and identify opportunities to deepen Live Wildly’s impact.

Meredith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and a Master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington. She has over a decade of experience in the environmental field with expertise in imperiled species policy, habitat conservation planning, and wildlife conflict resolution.

Prior to joining Live Wildly, Meredith worked as the Regional Policy Director with the Florida Wildlife Federation and as an Environmental Policy Specialist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Before moving to Southwest Florida, Meredith spent several years leading travel programs abroad, including sea turtle conservation programs in Costa Rica and marine and environmental monitoring programs in Fiji.

Meredith is a graduate of the Leadership Collier Foundation’s Associate Leadership Collier (2016) and Leadership Collier programs (2021) as well as a graduate of the 2023 Leadership Florida Connect Class. Meredith is the President of the board for the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge and President of the board for Audubon Western Everglades. In her free time, Meredith enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time in local Conservation Collier preserves and other public lands with her dogs, Miss Luci and Mr. Pickles.