Dr. Robert Swett, Associate Professor
Human Dimensions Resource Planning, Management, and Use
PO Box 110760
Gainesville, FL 32611
Bob Swett serves as the Florida Sea Grant specialist on boating and waterway planning issues within Florida’s Cooperative Extension Service. His programmatic mission is to build a comprehensive extension and research program designed to foster the responsible use and management of Florida’s waterways. Strategic goals are achieved through a combination of extension activities and applied research supported by extramural funding and achieved through collaborative partnerships.
Dr. Swett and Boating and Waterway Planning Program staff and students provide science-based information, resource management applications and models, and innovative tools and methods that incorporate geographic information technologies designed to balance use of Florida’s waterways with resource sustainability. An important component of their programmatic efforts is the application of geographic information technologies (GIT), such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems, geographic information science, and remote sensing.
The primary focus of his extension program is to develop information and methods that governments and others can use to plan for and manage surface water uses. Planners, managers, regulators, and policymakers are the principal target audiences. In addition, he develops and implements training in the use of geospatial information technologies for natural resource management for audiences both within and external to UF. Dr. Swett, staff, and students also create informational products to promote stewardship and responsible and safe behavior among recreational waterway users.
His research program is applied and it is designed to support and enhance the surface water use planning and management activities of governmental entities. Research is conducted to: (a) understand the behaviors and characteristics of recreational waterway users, (b) acquire spatial and temporal information on recreational use patterns within and among boating regions, and (c) develop and improve management practices.
Degrees:
PhD, University of Florida, 1999
MA, University of Florida, 1989
BS, University of Maine at Orono, 1981