S3 EP2: SWFL's legendary Dr. William F. Hammond, Ph.D. on environmental consulting, sustainablity and the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Dr. William F. Hammond, Ph.D., has distinguished himself over a storied career spanning 68 years as an educator, with significant contributions in both academia and environmental consulting. As the Founder and President of Natural Context Consultants and a retired Professor Emeritus from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he served for 26 years, Dr. Hammond's impact on ecological and marine sciences education is profound. He holds degrees from SUNY Cortland, Cornell, USF, and Simon Fraser University, British Columbia. His leadership extends beyond the classroom to pivotal roles such as Founder and President of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, where his vision has shaped environmental education initiatives for decades. Notably, Dr. Hammond has been a lead environmental consultant for Kitson & Partners, guiding sustainable planning for the Babcock Ranch Solar-Sustainable Community since its inception 19 years ago. Appointed by five governors to various state committees and boards, Dr. Hammond has influenced environmental policy across South Florida and beyond, including roles with the South Florida Water Management District and the Babcock Ranch State Preserve Management Committee. His consultancy work spans all 50 states, 9 Canadian provinces, and 18 countries worldwide, advising on environmental planning and education. Throughout his career, Dr. Hammond has received numerous national and state recognitions, including the Theodore Roosevelt Award for Service in Conservation to the Nation and Educator of the Year accolades from organizations like National Project Wild and Florida Audubon. He remains an active advocate for conservation, serving as a Special Consultant to Kitson & Partners and Emeritus President of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium Board of Trustees. Thanks to our sponsors, the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Riverside Reality Group, where it doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging, head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants, head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Gulfshore Life and Happenings Magazine.