Welcome To Marco 1994
Einstein made his second appearance on the Summer School shirt, signaling another year of sharp thinking and timely insights. Inside the sessions, attendees dove into Florida’s proposed Wetlands and Surface Water Delineation Methodology, with a dedicated one-day course unpacking the science behind hydrology, soils, and vegetation indicators. As state leaders worked to formalize the rules, […]
Welcome To Marco 1993
In 1993, Jurassic Park roared into theaters, but on Marco Island, EPSS had its own blockbuster moment—Gingerassic Park. That year’s t-shirt featured a T-Rex in a “DEP” hat, a playful nod to Ginger Weatherford, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Regulation, who was poised to lead the newly merged Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The […]
Welcome To Marco 1992
EPSS stepped into the field in 1992—literally—with its first-ever wetlands field trip, giving attendees a hands-on look at how vegetation, soils, and hydrology shape regulatory jurisdiction. As talk of a new vegetative index made its way toward the Capitol, this conference was already in the weeds—educating attendees on the nuances of the pending wetlands legislation. […]
Welcome To Marco 1991
In 1991, the Florida Chamber brought its Growth Management Summer School to Marco Island for the first and only time—combining it with the Environmental Permitting Summer School in a unique, dual-track format. Held at the Marco Island Marriott, the event attracted professionals across planning, permitting, policy, and law for an expanded week of sessions, networking, […]
Welcome To Marco 1990
By 1990, the Environmental Permitting Summer School had firmly planted its flag on the beach—figuratively and literally. The now-annual conference returned to Marco Island for its fourth consecutive year, offering a packed schedule, an ever-expanding faculty, and sessions that tackled Florida’s most pressing growth and permitting issues. Gone were the flamingos of ’89, but the […]
Welcome To Marco 1989
The flamingo officially became the unofficial mascot of the 1989 Summer School. From brochure artwork to branded t-shirts, flamingos were everywhere—including in the arms of attendees’ children. Stuffed pink flamingos were handed out, adding a bit of whimsy to the otherwise serious business of growth management and environmental permitting. But the flamingos weren’t the only […]
Welcome To Marco 1988
In its second year on Marco Island, the Environmental Permitting Summer School embraced both complexity and camaraderie. With courses covering everything from wetland mitigation to underground storage tanks, attendees came ready to sharpen their knowledge—and leave with new insights, contacts, and a classic t-shirt featuring Einstein tangled in cattails. 1988: 2nd Annual EPSS Held July […]
Welcome To Marco 1987
In 1987, the Environmental Permitting Short Course packed its bags, headed south, and found a new home on the coast. Held for the first time at Marriott’s Marco Island Resort, this was the first “Summer School” in both name and spirit—and the first time the conference was officially numbered as the 1st Annual Environmental Summer […]
Before It Was Marco 1985-1986
Before Marco Island. Before the summer sun. Before the “Summer School” nickname ever stuck… The Environmental Permitting Short Course began in January 1985 at the Florida State Conference Center in Tallahassee. Billed as an intensive training event for attorneys, engineers, consultants, developers, and agency staff, the program was designed to help professionals navigate Florida’s increasingly […]
40 Weeks Kick Off
What started as a small gathering in 1985 has grown into Florida’s premier event for environmental permitting and policy. As we begin the countdown to our 40th Environmental Permitting Summer School, we’re inviting YOU — our attendees, speakers, and sponsors — to join the conversation. Over the next 40 weeks, we’ll highlight memorable moments from […]