As Audubon Florida’s state director of research, Jerry Lorenz, PhD, played a critical role in the conservation of Florida’s special places. Based at the Everglades Science Center in Tavernier, he worked to protect and preserve the habitats wading birds rely on for more than three decades. His research established the Roseate Spoonbill as a primary indicator of ecosystem health for the Everglades. By examining the food web dynamics of these flamboyantly colored birds, he studied the effects of water management practices on Florida Bay for the majority of his career.
As he prepared for retirement, a different pink bird swooped in, just in time to add some more excitement (and so many press interviews) to his last few years of work. The American Flamingos that arrived in the state on the heels of Hurricane Idalia caused a media frenzy, with Dr. Lorenz fielding a majority of the interview and guest speaker requests as the organization’s resident pink bird expert. Behind the scenes, too, Dr. Lorenz and his team studied the birds and their new chosen habitats, renewing their call to protect the wetlands these birds need to thrive.
When he’s not counting pink birds, Dr. Lorenz is a trusted source of expert testimony working on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). He served as a member of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council and is a founding member of the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council.
This article was published in the State of the Everglades Report/Spring 2025 edition.
