James Evans
James Evans is responsible for interpreting science to create, inform, and advance environmental policy in Southwest Florida. He has more than 22 years of experience working in South Florida ecosystems and expertise in water quality, environmental policy, marine biology, estuarine ecology, and environmental restoration.
Evans earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies and M.S. in Environmental Science from Florida Gulf Coast University. His graduate research focused on evaluating the influence of freshwater inflow from Estero Bay’s tributaries on the distribution and abundances of ichthyoplankton and gelatinous predators.
Prior to joining SCCF, Evans was the City of Sanibel Director of Natural Resources from 2012–2020. Among other achievements, he was the primary author of the Caloosahatchee Watershed Regional Water Management Issues white paper—a document outlining short-and long-term strategies to address the freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee watershed.
Evans is or has been a board or committee member for: South Florida Water Management District Water Resources Accountability and Collaboration Group; co-chair of the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) Management Committee; South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Science Coordination Group; C-43 West Basin Reservoir Water Quality Treatment Component Feasibility Study Working Group; Lee County Coastal Advisory Council; and Southwest Florida Watershed Council.