UWF program addresses 2010 oil spill’s effects on mental health

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill not only wrought environmental and economic damage across the Gulf Coast, it also exacerbated the need for mental health counseling throughout the region. Dr. Glenn Rohrer, who recently retired as a professor of social work at the University of West Florida, led the effort locally to meet that need. He […]

Research on Gulf continues years after spill

The initial work done by University of West Florida faculty and students immediately after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has helped spawn new research at the University, such as a study finding that coquina clams could serve as indicator organisms for future oil spill events. Among the projects paid for by oil spill funding […]

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Retention, expansion programs mitigate oil spill damage

In 2011, the Florida Legislature appropriated $30 million under the Oil Spill Recovery Act to the University of West Florida’s Office of Economic Development and Engagement. The legislation, passed in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, called specifically for OEDE to develop and implement an innovative economic development program that emphasized research and […]

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Oil spill profoundly affects Northwest Florida economy

While the environmental impacts to Northwest Florida that resulted from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill were minimal compared to those felt in Louisiana and other Gulf states, the economic damage in Northwest Florida was profound. Though oil didn’t reach local beaches until June 2010, the devastating effects on tourism were evident shortly after the disaster […]

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