Dr. Porter is a professor of ecology and marine science at the University of Georgia's Institue of Ecology and School of Marine Programs. He has received both his Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees from Yale University, where he was classmates with President and environmental issues combatant, George W. Bush. He began teaching at the University of Georgia in 1977, after spending four years at the University of Michigan as a professor. He has testified before congress on environmental issues three times, most recently on coral reef conservation and the effects of global warming. He spoke to campers and staff about his current project: Working with the Environmental Protection Agency on the Florida Keys Coral Reef Monitoring Project. 

"Butterflies and Corals"
July 24, 2001

Dr. Porter opened the presentation by sharing several butterfly samples, all collected from Big Pine Key. He explained how he found his way into science through catching butterflies growing up in Ohio and how that has led him to his current passion for preserving the coral reef.

He used the butterflies to illustrate the fact that Monroe County is the most biologically diverse place in North America. He also explained how his work with the Florida Keys Coral Reef Monitoring Project centers around biodiversity patterns, trends and challenges. 

Dr. Porter outlined the process behind the project, which has been tracking coral cover, disease and biodiversity for several years now. He emphasized the alarming rate at which coral species loss and disease was increasing, causing the amount of coral cover to decrease between 1996 and 1999. The lower keys in particular are losing coral at an even more rapid rate. He cited global warming and water pollution as possible reasons for the problem.

Dr. Porter's news wasn't all bad, however. Despite losing 38% of coral cover in the Keys between 1996 and 1999, the percent of cover actually went up for the first time in recent years, according to the project's year 2000 data. 

He left the crowd of young scientists with an important message: That the future is more important than money today; profit and economics can not come before preservation of our environment. 

As Dr. Porter concluded his presentation, he was met with a barrage of anxious questions that kept him in the dining hall nearly until the final bell rang to bring the evening to a close.