Awards & Recognition
Richard Grosso, Robert Hartsell, Lisa Interlandi & the Everglades Law Center
The Everglades' wetland system, now destroyed or denigrated to the point where a massive restoration effort must be made, is the home to an incredible assortment of plants and animals found nowhere else in this country. Besieged on all sides by the wants of a variety of interests, protection of the Everglades is at a critical juncture.
Owing to the pressures on this fragile ecosystem, it is necessary to sometimes ask the courts to intervene to resolve issues. Thankfully, the Everglades Law Center (ELC), formerly known as the Environmental Land Use and Law Center, stands ready to help. The ELC is truly the fighting arm of conservation in South Florida.
Under the leadership of Richard Grosso, and including outstanding attorneys Lisa Interlandi and Robert Hartsell, and staffer Angie Greico, the ELC has represented the Florida Wildlife Federation on a number of matters all centered around the protection of the Everglades region and its unique natural resources.
Recently, the ELC undertook a challenge that took all its expertise and fortitude: the proposed location of the Scripps research facility right next to the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. While supportive of locating Scripps within the County, the Federation strongly opposed the use of the Mecca Farms site. Development on this site would have led to sprawl, loss of habitat and recreational opportunities and the curtailment of the possibility of restoration. In what can only be described as a David v. Goliath victory, ELC prevailed in this massive litigation with the end result being the movement of the Scripps facility to the eastern part of Palm Beach County.
- Lisa Interlandi was named Barley Conservationist of the Year by the Everglades Coalition in 2006.
- The Everglades Law Center, Inc. received the Conservationist of the Year Award for 2006 by the Florida Wildlife Federation.
- The Environmental and Land Use Law Center received the 2006 Public Interest Committee Award from the Florida Bar in recognition and appreciation of its tireless efforts and dedication to protecting Florida’s special places, especially in the Scripps litigation.”
- The Environmental and Land Use Law Center received Sierra Club, Loxahatchee Group’s Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement in 2005.
- In 2002, Richard Grosso was named the Conservationist of the Year by the Everglades Coalition and the Audubon Society of the Everglades
- The Environmental and Land Use Law Center Inc was named the Public Interest Organization of the Year 2001 by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.
- Richard Grosso was named 2000 Environmentalist of the Year by CityLink Newspaper (Broward & Palm Beach Counties).
- In 2000, Richard Grosso was granted the Public Service Award by the Martin County Conservation Alliance.
- In 2000, Florida's Governor and Cabinet unanimously adopted a Resolution commending the work of the Environmental and Land Use Law Center at Nova Southeastern University's School of Law. The resolution, which was sponsored by State Treasurer Bill Nelson, stated that our Clinic has "distinguished itself by creating a legal presence that is known throughout South Florida and to decision-makers in Tallahassee, Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C." It also stated that the ELULC "has been at the forefront of many legal battles and has admirably represented environmental interests in litigation concerning the carrying capacity of the Florida Keys' ecosystem, the sustainability of South Florida, and the protection of environmentally sensitive lands throughout the state."
- In 1999, Richard Grosso was named the Florida Wildlife Federation's Conservationist of the Year.
- In 1997, Richard Grosso was presented with the Hal Scott Memorial Award by the Florida Audubon Society for legal advocacy on behalf of the environment.
- Richard Grosso was named Individual of the Year by the Key West environmental group Last Stand in 1995.