Fostering global sustainability: The District hosts water resources delegation from Taiwan
A delegation from Taiwan recently visited the St. Johns River Water Management District’s headquarters in Palatka for a professional exchange focused on water conservation, remote sensing and sustainable resource management. Hosted by the District and coordinated in partnership with Dr. Jasmeet Judge, Director of the University of Florida’s (UF) Center for Remote Sensing, the visit strengthened international dialogue through shared expertise and practical insights.
Strategic and multidisciplinary, the delegation included representatives from engineering, agriculture, irrigation and water resources spanning government, education and nonprofit sectors. The delegates contribute to global working groups and promote multifaceted solutions to water challenges by sharing expertise from their respective fields.
Curved flight paths connect Jacksonville, Florida, and Taiwan in this global view, illustrating a journey of approximately 8,060 miles and highlighting the distance bridged through international collaboration on water and environmental management.
Though separated by geography, Taiwan and Florida face remarkably similar climate conditions. Both lie near the Tropic of Cancer and experience humid subtropical to tropical climates with hot summers, mild winters and intense wet seasons. Their locations also make them vulnerable to seasonal storms—typhoons in Taiwan and hurricanes in Florida—which bring flooding, storm surge and infrastructure strain. These shared challenges underscore the value of international collaboration on strategies for resilience and sustainable water management.
“When we share science across borders, we multiply impact,” said Kimberli Ponzio, environmental scientist V at the St. Johns River Water Management District. “This exchange with Taiwan is longstanding—over 20 years—and isn’t just about showcasing projects. It’s about connecting people who care deeply about water, wetlands and resilience. Every visit, every conversation, strengthens the global network of environmental stewards.”
District Assistant Executive Director Mary Ellen Winkler delivers welcoming remarks as a member of the Taiwanese delegation translates her message.
During their visit, the delegates taking part in UF’s Remote Sensing and GIS in Hydrology Workshop viewed presentations spanning hydrology, conservation and innovation, gaining insight into Florida’s integrated water management approach. Exchanges like this create opportunities to share best practices on common issues, while also laying the groundwork for long-term institutional partnerships.
District Assistant Executive Director Mary Ellen Winkler commenced the meeting with a warm welcome. Kimberli Ponzio, who is a certified wetland scientist, followed with an overview of the District’s mission and key initiatives. Additional presentations highlighted the District’s cost-share program, water conservation efforts, tilapia harvesting and machine learning–based plant community mapping.
Suzanne Archer, technical program manager of the District’s Division of Water Supply Planning and Assessment, shared how agricultural cost-share projects are helping Florida farmers adopt precision tools like spray drones and soil mapping to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The visit concluded with a Q&A session that encouraged thoughtful dialogue. Presentations were delivered with time for English-to-Mandarin translation to ensure clear communication throughout. The event reflected a meaningful exchange of knowledge rooted in science and a shared commitment to protecting water resources for future generations.
