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Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (ISTC)

The Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (ISTC) is a partnership between Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions (CUES) and Indian River Community College (IRCC) dedicated to providing continuity in research and data needs to support the Action Steps in the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC) final report. The Institute will assist in dissemination of the final report and use other innovative concepts to educate the citizens of the Treasure Coast region on the principles of sustainability.

The responsibility of the Institute includes, but is not limited, to the following:

  • Providing educational activities and tools for all parts of the community to further understand the regional linkages identified in the CSTC report.
  • Creating a data base based on the CSTC’s compilation of data, and progress reports on the implementation of the CSTC final report.
  • Collaborating and cooperating with existing regional institutions, including the proposed Sustainable Treasure Coast (STC) organization, local governments, not-for-profits, and local citizen groups to assist in implementing and monitoring progress in achieving the principles and Action Steps in the CSTC Final Report.
  • Developing indicators for each section of the CSTC Final Report and issuing periodic reports on progress in achieving the Action Steps.
  • Providing forums and technical workshops, in cooperation with other interested organizations, on such topics as community land trusts, conservation stewardship organizations, and other issues referred to the ISTC for further research.
  • Facilitating regional visioning exercises.
  • Coordinating a regional data atlas based on data compiled by the CSTC.
  • Providing information on regional trends to state, regional, and local agencies and private and not-for-profit organizations operating in the region.

Sustainable Sam

The Institute has already created an educational tool that will help the community to understand regional linkages identified in the report. Sustainable Sam was created for the Sustainable Treasure Coast, Inc. (STC) by the ISTC, CUES, and Jellyvision Labs, Inc. with the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Sustainable Sam is a CD-Rom game that helps the community learn about sustainable development in Florida’s Treasure Coast. Go to www.sustainablesam.org to link to Sustainable Sam.

Living on the Edge

The Living on the Edge report examines the impact of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne on the Treasure Coast barrier island communities and the various policy mechanisms used by government to mitigate coastal storm impacts.The report identifies vulnerability issues impacting citizens, the natural and built environment and economy, and makes recommendations for increasing future resiliency.

The research was developed by CUES to support the regional visioning initiative of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC), and to assist the newly established Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast. Living on the Edge aims to inspire regional cooperation and informed policy choices among local planning staff, emergency management professionals, elected officials and citizens concerned with promoting resilient and sustainable coastal communities.

The Living on the Edge research project was funded by the Florida Hurricane Alliance, a multidisciplinary cooperative research initiative of nine Florida universities aimed at reducing societal losses from severe coastal storm events. Florida Atlantic University’s CUES, is an active member of the Florida Hurricane Alliance, which has been supported by a three-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To receive an 8-page summary of the report highlights, please contact CUES at 954-762-5255.

The 176-page report is available on a CD-ROM by request.

Institute Staff

To carry out the responsibilities of the Institute, three student interns have been hired as support staff:  Lindsey Concannon, Cassandra Hicks and Merrily Minardi (see bios). Under the leadership of Vice President Gerri McPherson of FAU, St. Lucie Campus and Director Jim Murley of CUES, the students will carryout the mission of the Institute.

Institute Location

The Institute is located at the Indian River Community College/Florida Atlantic University, St. Lucie Campus, 500 N.W. California Blvd., CO127, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, 772-837-3377.