GULF OF MEXICO ALLIANCE

Tampa Bay Estuary Program www.tbep.org Press Release For Immediate Release GULF OF MEXICO ALLIANCE As a coastal citizen with interest in the economic and environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico, you are invited to share your expertise and perspectives on Gulf issues.  Please join us at the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Community Input Workshop hosted by The Florida Aquarium on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 9:30 - 1:00 p.m. in the Florida Aquarium Taylor Great Room, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602. Whether you are aware of the Gulf Alliance and joined us at other workshops, or are new to this powerful collaborative effort to protect the Gulf of Mexico, you are invited to learn and share your ideas at this community meeting. Your voice is needed! A lunch reception will be provided courtesy of Aramark and Calvin, Giordano and Associates, Inc., and participation is free of charge.  However, space is limited, so we request that you confirm your participation by Monday, January 12th.  Please reply with your name, organization, email and phone number to Ali Hudon, at ahudon@marine.usf.edu , or by phone at (727) 553-1036.  The purpose of this Alliance Community Input Workshop is to provide a venue for input on the new Action Plan and to share Alliance accomplishments over the last three years.  Other goals include:   a.. Re-engage community members and organizations   b.. Provide updates on Alliance accomplishments   c.. Review the 2009 Draft Plan   d.. Identify potential future collaborative efforts Visit www.supportthegulf.org or www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org for additional information about the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.  The Florida Aquarium has also generously offered free admission to workshop participants on January 14th.  Please see Guest Services upon your arrival. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there! BACKGROUND In 2005, Florida's Governor took a leadership role by helping to establish the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, a federal-state partnership initiated by the five Gulf States.  The common goal of the Alliance is to significantly increase regional collaboration in order to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Gulf.  The Alliance released the first Governors' Action Plan in 2006, and today, over 90% of actions have been completed or are now in progress. A second, five-year Action Plan is currently under review and will be released in 2009.  To successfully implement Action Plan II, strong and continued support from a diverse constituency will be critical, and active participation in the 2008 workshops will play an important role in developing networks and holistic solutions for a healthy Gulf of Mexico.