ESTUS D. WHITFIELD

Highlights

• 20 years experience as Florida’s Chief Environmental Advisor
• Co-author with Gov. Bob Graham of Florida’s “Save Our Everglades” Program
• Helped develop the Florida “Save Our Rivers”, “Save Our Coasts,” and “Preservation 2000” Programs

Biography

From 1979 to 1999, Estus Whitfield personified Florida’s increasingly aggressive efforts at environmental protection.  During this time, he served as Policy Coordinator and Chief Environmental Advisor to four governors, writing legislation and regulations for many of the state’s most far-reaching environmental programs.

In 1983, under direction of Florida Governor Bob Graham, Estus co-authored Florida’s Save Our Everglades program.  He later became the principal staff person in the development and implementation of Florida’s Save Our Rivers, Save Our Coasts, and Preservation 2000.

During his tenure, Estus also managed the Florida State Clearinghouse, which approved or denied all federally funded projects (including Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, US DOT, and USDA) in Florida

Since leaving public service in 1999, he has remained active in environmental issues, representing clients in negotiations involving demineralization, biosolid permitting, and regulatory approvals for exploratory drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Prior to his service as Chief Environmental Advisor, Estus was Florida’s first Environmental Impact Statement Coordinator and an environmental analyst with the Florida Division of State Planning.

He has a B.S. in Biology from Troy State College and an M.A. in Wildlife Ecology & Forestry from the University of Florida.

 

Other Achievements

• Member, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board (1994-1998)

• Conservationist of the Year from the Florida Audubon Society

• Winner of the Florida Everglades Coalition’s first Conservation Award