LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE ( 8 5 0 ) 3 0 9 - 3 0 0 5 • d o n a t e • j o i n t h e L e a g u e Candidate Biography & Questionnaire Wo Leon Soil & Water Conservation District 4 Job Description: The mission of the Leon Soil & Water Conservation District Board is to annually assess the condition of the soils and waters in Leon County, both above and below ground; to educate the public on the state of the soils and waters; to educate the public about conservation practices which will enhance the condition of the soils and waters; and to advocate for conservation practices and policies which will benefit the soils and waters of the county. Salary: None Candidate: 3333 Ryan Truchelut Current Occupation Agricultural Meteorologist, International Agribusiness Group Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University Education 2008 B.S. Princeton University—Geo-science (summa cum laude) 2011 M.S. Florida State University—Meteorology Present Ph.D. student Florida State University—Meteorology Links: Ca n d id a te ’s 3 mi n. Vi de o Me s s ag e wfsu bandwagon Professional Experience 2005-present Lead Agricultural Meteorologist, International Agribusiness Group (creating temperature and precipitation forecasts for farmers and agricultural markets) 2009-present Graduate Research Assistant, Florida State University, Deptartment of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science (research of seasonal causes of tropical cyclone risks; lead author on two peer-reviewed publications) 2006 Instructor, Children’s School of Science, Woods Hole, MA Ca n d id a te ’s W eb si te www.ryan2014.com see also: www.facebook.com/votery an2014 Community Involvement 2013-present Elder, University Lutheran Church 2012-2013 Research Project Supervisor, Young Scholars Program, Florida State University 2011-2014 Judge, Capital Regional Science and Engineering Fair Contact Ca n d id a te Do no r s & Ex p en d it ur es www.voterfocus.com/ws/w scand/candidate_pr.php?c =leon (850) 733-8431 [email protected] Go To Candidate Questionnaire return to Overview—all Candidates 1 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE ( 8 5 0 ) 3 0 9 - 3 0 0 5 • d o n a t e • j o i n t h e L e a g u e Questionnaire candidate: Ryan Truchelut Leon Soil & Water Conservation District 4 Each candidate was asked 3 questions. Responses are printed as received (without editing). Answers over 150 words are continued on a subsequent page. Question 1: In 1937 the Florida Legislature established Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), as local partnerships with state and federal governments to protect and restore soil and water resources and to assist private landowners in using conservation practices. There are 63 SWCDs in Florida today. The supervisors of each SWCD are elected to address local problems with soil erosion, flood damage and water quality. Q: What are some of the local problems with soil erosion, flood damage and water quality that you hope to address as a Leon County SWCD supervisor? “The District’s mission is to promote conservation practices that protect our local environment, but a lack of direction has left it disengaged, without funding, and invisible to the community. I’m running for Soil & Water Supervisor because the perspective and credibility of a professional earth scientist is needed to effectively address the complex environmental problems we face in Leon County. The most critical issue is protecting the purity of the aquifer, our drinking water supply. Nitrate contamination loads from Leon County runoff and wastewater remain over 50% higher than sustainable thresholds, per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Long-term strategies to protect this vital hydrological system for future generations are urgently needed. As Soil & Water Supervisor, I will leverage my robust qualifications and extensive experience in geology, hydrology, and agricultural meteorology to forge scientific partnerships and develop informed solutions to reduce Leon County’s nitrate footprint and preserve the aquifer.” Question 2: A growing concern in Florida is water quality and quantity. Q: How can the Leon County SWCD assist its community to implement water management programs? “The District is uniquely positioned to be a central resource for community education on local environmental issues. Unfortunately, since the SWCD currently lacks the grant funding that historically supplied its budget, it does not even have a stand-alone website. My weather forecasting and scientific credentials demonstrate my proficiency in communicating complex ideas in a concise, direct, and easily understandable way. I will apply these communication skills to aggressively pursue the restoration of grant funding opportunities and expand the District’s educational and outreach programs. The SWCD can also assist in the implementation of effective water management policy by engaging with local governments on environmental issues. For example, if the sales-tax extension passes, the District should actively promote projects that will make an empirical difference in groundwater quality and transportation efficiency. I will be a forceful advocate if conservation best practices and long-term thinking are compromised by waste and political expediency.” (Questionnaire continued on next page) 2 Question 3: SWCD Supervisors are encouraged by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which publishes a handbook for SWCD supervisors, to “get involved in your community and familiarize yourself with the soil and water issues.” Q: How have you familiarized yourself with the soil and water issues in Leon County? “My understanding of local soil and water issues is rooted in my scientific training. I have a diverse background in earth and environmental sciences directly connected to the SWCD’s purview. My scientific education engenders approaching problems from a logical, not ideological, perspective. I privilege evidence, reason, and in-depth research as means of rational decision-making. As a lifelong Floridian and conservationist, my concern for our local environmental future has grown as I have researched the technical literature regarding groundwater issues. I have read the FLDEP Wakulla Springshed evaluation, the Leon-Wakulla wastewater engineering study, and Leon County Public Works’ local water quality report. My synthesis of these scientific documents forms the basis of my platform. As I strive to make a difference in the community, I will continue to seek the insight of like-minded citizens and civic groups who believe that now is the time for action on local water quality issues.” return to Candidate Biography return to Overview—all Candidates