User Profile

Florida Water Star

Thirty-three years of professional experience in regulatory compliance, environmental education and green building certification program management. Deirdre joined the St Johns River Water Management District staff in 1989 and worked with the Districts Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) department as a compliance regulatory scientist. Deirdre moved the districts headquarters in 1999 to work as an education coordinator. In this position, she coordinated Project WET teacher workshops, assisted in the development of the Great Water Odyssey and conducted numerous classroom presentations. In 2007, Deirdre accepted the position of Florida Water Star Coordinator where she has since completed the development of the certification program, expanded its implementation to two other Districts and coordinated the addition of a Commercial and Community version. In 2012, she coordinated the development of an accreditation program for landscape and irrigation professionals in partnership with the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA). Currently Deirdre serves on a number of committees the Florida Green Building Coalition Board (FGBC) and on the advisory committee for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program and starting in 2026, as a board member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. In 2024, Deirdre accepted the Water Star award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency for dedication as a water conservation practitioner. In 2025, Deirdre was awarded the Ann Hunter-Welborn Circle of Excellence Award for environmental stewardship, water conservation and other sustainability measures.