John Kiseda granted Lifetime Membership in FL SEE!
Nancy MacPhee
After 24 years of dedicated service to Lee County Parks & Recreation as well as 15 years as the Executive Director of Florida SEE, John Kiseda has retired. His contributions to the development of Lee County as an ecotourism destination are numerous. He was instrumental in the planning and development of both the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lee County Manatee Park as well as their stellar volunteer interpretive training programs. He brought the National Association for Interpretation's Certified Interpretive Guide program to Lee County, from which many area naturalists have benefitted. He partnered with Fl Master Naturalist Program and was the driving force and one of the founders of Florida SEE almost 16 years ago.
Alachua County offers incentive for Ecotour operators
Wendy Richards
To raise awareness about ecotours available in the greater Gainesville area, the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau will sponsor eligible ecotour operators interested in appying for certification from FL SEE.
The Brevard Zoo was awarded the Gold Level certification at the Florida SEE annual meeting in June. It is the only Zoo and largest attraction in the state to achieve this certification.
The Brevard Zoo aspires to be a regional leader in ecologically sound, sustainable and conservation-minded programming. "Many Europeans place a strong importance on ecotourism as a factor in their vacation planning." said Andrew Batten, director of attractions. "As awareness of ecotourism grows, more Americans are expected to seek out environmentally conscious vacation opportunities."
Florida SEE hosted its annual meeting in June in downtown Punta Gorda. Sponsored by the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, over 45 members and friends attended. Participants enjoyed Keynote speaker and author Lucy Tobias, a presentation by The Shark Brothers and several field trips including biking downtown Punta Gorda, wading in Charlotte Harbor and paddling with certified operator GAEA Guides. Of note was a panel presentation by five of the eight FL SEE Certified Providers including Andrew Batten, Brevard Zoo, Pete Corradino, Everglades Day Safari, Connie Langmann, Gaea Guides, Bill Richards, Paddle Florida and Charles Wright, Everglades area tours.
After 24 years of dedicated service to Lee County Parks & Recreation as well as 15 years as the Executive Director of Florida SEE, John Kiseda has retired. His contributions to the development of Lee County as an ecotourism destination are numerous. He was instrumental in the planning and development of both the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lee County Manatee Park as well as their stellar volunteer interpretive training programs. He brought the National Association for Interpretation's Certified Interpretive Guide program to Lee County, from which many area naturalists have benefitted. He partnered with Fl Master Naturalist Program and was the driving force and one of the founders of Florida SEE almost 16 years ago. 
To raise awareness about ecotours available in the greater Gainesville area, the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau will sponsor eligible ecotour operators interested in appying for certification from FL SEE.
The Brevard Zoo was awarded the Gold Level certification at the Florida SEE annual meeting in June. It is the only Zoo and largest attraction in the state to achieve this certification. 
Florida SEE hosted its annual meeting in June in downtown Punta Gorda. Sponsored by the