Dr. Chris Meindl is an associate professor of geography and Director of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg campus. He is a native Floridian, grew up in Melbourne Beach, went to school at Florida Southern College (BS in social science), San Diego State (MA in history), Univ. of North Dakota (MS in geography), and completed a PhD in geography at the University of Florida. He taught at Florida Atlantic University's Davie campus, Utah's Weber State University, and at Georgia College before beginning at USF 2003. He studies place-based Florida environmental issues especially water, springs, and wetlands management. He often uses a historical environmental geography approach where field experience is vital. His research is concerned about the impacts of neoliberalism, addiction to constant growth, indefensible levels of inequality, and one-party rule on the land, water, and people. Publications include several academic journal articles (including student co-authors), a first book, Florida Springs: From Geography to Politics and Restoration, (University Press of Florida, 2024) - with a second book about springs in the works. Courses taught have included, among others, introductory Physical, Human, and World Geography; The Human Footprint on the Landscape; Natural Hazards; Water Resources Management; Wetlands, People, and Public Policy; Florida Springs; Intro to Graduate Study; and a geography of Florida course called Florida: Its Land, Water, and People.