FILLING IN THE INFORMATION GAP!
WELCOME!
Suzee Bailey
Founder
Residents for Resilience
Is it safe to drink the water?
Is it safe to recreate in our waterways?
Will stormwater flood my home again?
These are just a few of the urgent questions we hear from concerned residents throughout South Florida.
Residents for Resilience (R4R) is a nonprofit organization
focused on four critical water issues:
💧 Safe, clean drinking water
🌊 Flood mitigation and stormwater management
🌴 Storm resiliency and coastal protection
🐚 Waterway and marine ecosystem restoration
R4R’s mission is to help fill in the information gap between government leaders, scientists, engineers, and the public through education, communication, advocacy, and collaboration.
Because it’s hard to care about what you don’t know about.
We work to strengthen long-term resilience across South Florida by bringing experts to the table, encouraging informed dialogue, and helping communities better understand both the science and the possible solutions.
Serving communities across South Florida through education, outreach, and practical resilience dialogue.
Stay informed • Stay connected • Stay resilient
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AND INVITES TO SPECIAL RESILIENCY MEETINGS AND EVENTS!
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as we share even more informative articles on important water issues!
We can't do what we do with out your support!
"IT’S HARD TO CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT!"
WHAT WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON
Flood Mitigation & Stormwater Management
Helping fill in the information gap by sharing updated flood information, innovative stormwater
management approaches, homeowner preparedness guidance, CRS rating benefits, and available
relief or grant opportunities for flood-impacted residents.
Waterlogged Events
Bringing residents together with top specialists to better understand flooding and storm preparedness,
waterways remediation efforts, storm water management , and exploring innovative resilience solutions.
Mangroves and Coastal Protection
Supporting thoughtful decisions that recognize the flood protection, habitat value, and resilience benefits natural
mangrove systems provide.
Students for Resilience
Engaging and mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders through
education, innovation, and community service.
Artificial Turf & Public Health Awareness
Important questions that may need to be asked regarding the health and environmental concerns linked
to artificial turf (“plastic grass”), including excessive heat, microplastic shedding, vapor exposure, and long-term
impacts on both people and the environment.
Restaurants for Resilience
Recognizing and encouraging sustainable practices within the local business community.
Nature-Based Solutions
Promoting practical approaches such as living shorelines, mangroves, water filtration research,
biochar pilot studies and marine habitat restoration.
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Coastal Projects & Marine Impacts
Addressing major coastal concerns including sand bypass activity, coral impacts near the port,
shoreline changes, and the broader marine and environmental questions linked to coastal construction and expansion.
Filling the Information Gap!
Continuing Our Student Partnership
with Florida International University!
A sincere thank you to Florida International University for once again inviting Residents for Resilience (R4R) to partner through their Spring 2026 Writing About the Environment course — an exciting collaboration that continues connecting students with real-world environmental issues
shaping South Florida.
We are especially pleased to continue expanding our partnership with Dr. Marta Gierczyk, and Lucas, Luke Rodewald, and FIU’s Department of English and Community Partnerships program.
As part of this collaboration, we were invited to introduce students to the R4R mission and share our presentation on the four critical water issues that guide our work:
Safe, clean drinking water
Flood mitigation
Storm resiliency
Restoring the health of our priceless waterways
Students will now begin developing environmental storytelling projects tied to real-world environmental concerns, with R4R helping guide project development and connecting classroom
learning to meaningful community impact.
We are always encouraged by the thoughtful questions, ideas, and discussions that follow these presentations. Vice President Tricia Halliday also joined the discussion, helping contribute
to the thoughtful exchange that followed.
Our future looks brighter when students are encouraged to think critically about the environmental challenges facing South Florida and explore how communication, science, and collaboration
can help shape practical solutions.
R4R's Students for Resilience initiative continues to grow by engaging students through:
• mentorship
• project collaboration
• internships
• community engagement
• exposure to scientists, engineers, professors, and environmental professionals
These conversations matter — because informed communities are resilient communities,
and the next generation has an important role to play in shaping that future.
Thank you again to FIU for welcoming R4R into these important conversations!
Congratulations to Broward County
on another outstanding
Water Matters Day at Tree Tops Park —
A wonderful reminder of how much meaningful work is happening across our region
in support of water conservation, nature-based solutions, and long-term resilience.
A special thank you to Jennifer Jurado, Gregory Mount, and the Broward County’s resilience team for helping make this annual event such a success. It was encouraging to see so many municipalities, civic leaders, students, educators, and community partners come together around this year’s theme: “Reclaim Water, Regrow Nature.”
It was also wonderful to see Broward leaders including Commissioners Nan Rich, Beam Furr, Robert McKinzie, and Steve Geller present in support of this important event and the County’s continued focus on water conservation and nature-based resilience.
The event beautifully highlighted how green infrastructure — including rain gardens, wetlands, tree canopies, and Florida-friendly landscapes — can help mimic natural hydrology, reduce runoff, recharge groundwater, and improve water quality while strengthening community resilience.
It was especially meaningful to thank Commissioners Beam Furr and Nan Rich, for their strong support for nature. A Big THANK YOU goes out to all of the County Commissioners who unanimously voted 8–0 in favor of protecting the mangroves in the Dania Beach Mangrove vs Warehouse discussion!
I also appreciated the chance to share ideas with Alec Bogdanoff of Brizaga regarding possible collaborative efforts, and it was wonderful catching up with our friends from the Sierra Club and Hollywood Resiliency Team's Elaine Franklin who continue doing such important environmental work.
One of the most encouraging parts of the day was seeing students, teachers, and schools recognized for their outstanding work through Broward County’s infographic challenge and NatureScape awards — a reminder that our future looks brighter when young people are actively engaged in understanding and protecting our natural resources.
Events like this help reinforce an important truth: nature-based solutions are not optional extras — they are part of the long-term resilience strategy South Florida needs.
WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER?
I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Sasha Jones for the opportunity to be part of her NBC series on such an important topic—
drinking water safety. Her thoughtful questions and dedication to raising awareness are truly appreciated, and I'm honored to have
contributed to the discussion.
I'm also incredibly grateful for the wonderful shout-out she gave to Residents for Resilience (R4R). Her support means a lot to us, and it will certainly help amplify our mission to improve water safety and resilience in our communities.
I look forward to following her impactful work!
Watch segment below.
Let’s Work Together -
We welcome collaboration with residents, educators, scientists, civic leaders, students, and organizations who share a commitment to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Residents for Resilience, Inc.
1314 E. Las Olas Blvd. #727
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
E-Mail: info@residentsforresilience.org
