Whitney Gray is Administrator of the Florida Resilient Coastlines Program in the Florida Coastal Office of DEP.  Whitney’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are from the University of Florida (Go Gators!), where Whitney studied zoology and systems ecology. Whitney first worked on climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. From 2012 to 2015, Whitney served as Sea Level Rise (SLR) Coordinator for both FWC and Florida Sea Grant, specializing in the effects of SLR on coastal ecosystems. She coordinated an internal climate change seminar series, “Florida Adapts,” and served as a subject matter expert on Species Action Plans during the Imperiled Species Management Planning process. Originally from Florida’s Gulf coast, Whitney has seen first-hand how sea level rise has changed the state, from critical erosion to “ghost forests.” Her task now is to bring sea level rise resilience planning to the forefront of DEP activity for the long-term benefit of the people and ecosystems of Florida.