Jacob F. Stowers oral history interview

Jacob Stowers has worked for Pinellas County for over 33 years. Born in Clearwater and raised in Safety Harbor, Stowers attended the University of Florida where he earned his bachelor\u27s degree in wildlife management and his master\u27s degree in agriculture. After working as a biological technician for the US Department of Interior, Stowers moved to Ft. Lauderdale to work as an environmental planner and urban forester. In 1974, Stowers moved back to Pinellas County to accept a position as urban forester for the county. During his time with Pinellas County, Stowers held several different positions including director of the Pinellas County Environmental Department and assistant county administrator for Planning and Development. In this interview, Stowers provides an overview of his role in promoting sustainable development for Pinellas County and the importance of community engagement. Stowers discusses how to balance environmental stewardship with responsible economic development and how to secure the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands through monies generated by taxes and grants. Stowers also explains how Pinellas County promotes community development by creating practical ordinances that allow for realistic conservation and restoration