In this episode, Brett Cyphers sits down with Temperince Morgan, a fourth-generation Floridian who brings both personal roots and professional expertise to Florida’s most pressing environmental issues.
Temperince shares her story, beginning with her upbringing alongside a father with deep roots in ranching. Raised in Jacksonville and spending time with family in Lake Okeechobee, her love for nature was shaped by family trips around Florida. Her childhood was deeply connected to water and land—where cattle ranches, the St. Johns River, and Florida’s state parks sparked a lasting bond with the landscape and laid the foundation for a career dedicated to its restoration and protection.
She walks Brett through her time as a biology major at Florida State University and how that led to a career in environmental science. The conversation explores her roles at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District, where she helped lead early efforts in Everglades restoration. Now, as Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Southern U.S. Division, she oversees large-scale environmental strategy across 10 states. They also dive into projects close to her, like the Pensacola East Bay Oyster Project.
Rich in personal insight and professional depth, this episode offers an intimate look at one of Florida’s most respected environmental leaders—and what it takes to protect the state’s natural future.
To explore the broader mission behind the work Temperince leads—conserving lands and waters across the U.S. and beyond visit The Nature Conservancy
To hear more about the Florida-based initiatives Temperince references, including coastal resilience, water management, and Everglades restoration visit The Nature Conservancy in Florida
To take a closer look at the project that Temperince highlights as an example of measurable, on-the-ground restoration visit Pensacola East Bay Oyster Project
Temperince discusses values that are essential to future conservation success; this center reflects TNC’s focus on science, outreach, and education. Find out more here Center for Conservation Initiatives
As discussed in the episode, long-term land conservation is key to protecting Florida’s water—to learn how TNC is doing it click here Florida Land Protection | The Nature Conservancy
If Temperince’s story inspired you, consider supporting the work she and her team are doing to build a more resilient Florida by visiting Donate Now to Protect Nature | The Nature Conservancy
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES). RES is the nation’s leader in ecological restoration, helping to restore Florida’s natural resources with water quality and stormwater solutions that offer communities guaranteed performance and outcomes. Check them out at www.res.us
This episode is also brought to you by our friends at Sea and Shoreline. Sea and Shoreline is the Southeast’s leading innovator in protecting coastal communities from devastating storms and restoring ecosystems that once faced ecological collapse. Visit their website at www.Seaandshoreline.com.
Please be sure to check out the Florida Specifier Podcast hosted by Ryan Matthews and Brett as part of the environmental news and discussion brought to you by the Florida Specifier. To learn more about our flagship print publication, weekly newsletter and more, visit The Florida Specifier.
You can follow the show on LinkedIn and Instagram @flwaterpod, and you can reach us directly at FLwaterpod@gmail.com with your comments and suggestions for who Brett should be talking with in the future.
Production of this podcast is by Lonely Fox Studios. Thanks to Karl Sorne for making the best of what he had to work with. And to David Barfield for the amazing graphics and technical assistance.
