As the 40th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School approaches, host Brett Cyphers sits down with Linda Dickinson and Cindy Littlejohn for a conversation about the origins and evolution of one of Florida's longest-running environmental conferences.

The episode explores Chuck Littlejohn's vision for creating what was originally the Environmental Permitting Short Course, designed to help environmental professionals understand Florida's rapidly changing laws and regulations. Linda and Cindy share stories from the conference's early years, including how it grew from just over 100 attendees into one of the state's premier educational and networking events for environmental professionals.

They also discuss the collaborative approach that shaped the conference from the beginning, bringing together regulators, attorneys, engineers, consultants, scientists, environmental organizations, and industry representatives to share knowledge and discuss emerging issues.

The conversation includes behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of planning the conference, the growth of the program over four decades, and the role Environmental Permitting Summer School has played in Florida's environmental community.

As EPSS celebrates its 40th anniversary, this episode offers a look back at the people and ideas that helped establish the conference and the legacy it continues today.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here: https://floridaspecifier.com

To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, or Jamie at:

brett@floridaspecifier.com

ryan@floridaenet.com

jamie@floridaenet.com

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.