Halmos College Alumna Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative Chair

Jamie Monty is the new (and a former) manager of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA). She serves as chair of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Team.

Jamie completed her master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University in coral reef restoration, using corals of opportunity, coral nurseries, and integrated stakeholder involvement. She started with DEP in 2005, assisting with the management of four aquatic preserves and revising the North Fork St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. She joined CRCP in 2008 as the Fishing, Diving, and Other Uses coordinator, was promoted to assistant manager, and served as manager from 2012-2015. She was the lead developer of the Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process.

Since her time with DEP’s CRCP, Jamie went on to serve as the section chief for Miami Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) Restoration and Enhancement Section, where she oversaw the coral and artificial reef, beach renourishment, seagrass, water quality and coastal restoration programs. While at DERM, she served as a SEFCRI team member in a local government seat, and as vice chair of that stakeholder group. Most recently, Jamie worked as a senior project manager for the environmental consulting firm Coastal Systems International, where she led coral mitigation, coral disease and coastal resilience projects for government agency clients.

In addition to Jamie’s education, experience and dedication to the goals of DEP’s CRCP and SEFCRI programs, her genuine and warm nature when interacting with CRCP staff, SEFCRI Team/Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)/Vice Chairs, and the public make her an asset. The broader experience she brings to CRCP will surely assist both CRCP and SEFCRI in achieving their goals. Jamie is excited to be back at the helm and to have the opportunity to continue working with Coral ECA stakeholders to balance the use and protection of Southeast Florida’s coral reef resources.