Press

“We used to be a mangrove island and we recognize that bringing back those mangroves is going to help us be better protected for the future.” —VOA News, March 23 2020

“Margarita Wells proved that the City of Miami Beach has skin in the game as she demonstrated the projects and actions that they are taking to address climate change.” —American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Coastal Voice Newsletter, January 2020

“While our federal lobbying team does a great job of communicating our community’s needs, I could not pass up the opportunity to share my perspective as a Miami Beach coastal manager and resident in person.” —American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Coastal Voice Newsletter, December 2019

The View from the Outside —American Society of Civil Engineers Plot Points Podcast, November 26 2019

Meet the Female-Dominated Team Keeping Miami Dry —Virgin Hotels, March 29 2019

The EU and the Americas: Cooperating Across the Wider Atlantic —Medium, November 30 2018

“We’ve been very, very lucky that our elected officials have agreed to increase different fees that pay for these improvements throughout our community.”  —EU Now, Season 2 Episode 4 – EU & the Americas, November 29 2018 (00:16:44 – 00:19:13)

“We’re very vulnerable in Miami Beach but we’re fortunate to have the resources to invest massively in sea level rise adaptation. And we think sustainably when it comes to new investments.” —Day 1 of the EU & the Americas Conference in Miami, November 15 2018 (Introduction at 2:48:34, Q&A at 3:14:00)

Margarita Wells, Assistant Director of Environment and Sustainability, told the Commission’s Sustainability and Resiliency Committee this week that Miami Beach is “one of the only municipalities to have our own [water quality sampling] program.” She noted, “The program is crucial in ensuring that our decisions are data-driven.” —RE: Miami Beach, September 29 2018

“Hoping to minimize the impact to threatened and endangered species, Wells says the county’s sea turtle conservation staff monitored the beach for 65 days before the project started but didn’t find any new nests.” —Miami New Times, July 11 2018

“There are three career tips—advice I wish I had received when I was an intern—that I lay upon everyone to calm their nerves about the future and make them more competitive in the workforce.” —A Hint of Life, July 9 2018

“I think it is good for people to remember that as they’re wading through it, even if it’s not pleasant, it’s actually a really really valuable thing not just for our community but for our beaches,” Wells said. —Miami Herald, July 3 2018

“The Convention Center renovation has prioritized the environment by going for the LEED, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, silver certification. That means that the environment was a priority from the very beginning of the design of the convention center, everything from how it will operate once it’s open to the materials that we’re using during the construction.” —Miami Beach Convention Center, June 23 2018

Government and Nonprofits Provide Public Water Quality Status of Miami Beaches and Biscayne Bay —SFNS, June 20 2018

Membership Spotlight: Margarita Wells —ASCE Miami-Dade Branch Newsletter, March 2018

Chapter Spotlight: Miami-Dade EWRI and COPRI Chapters Deliver Joint Living Shoreline Talk —Currents Winter 2018 by ASCE-EWRI (p. 16), January 28 2018

South Florida National Parks Trust Launches Environmental Leadership Program Focused on South Florida’s National Parks —SFNPT, January 16 2018

“[Wells] identified that Miami Beach accounts for 4% of discharge into the Bay. The region’s new stormwater systems are designed to address rising sea levels with pump stations to prevent flooding with the added benefit of debris removal before discharge.” —Inaugural Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit Report, 2017

“Margarita Wells is the founder of Thank You Miami, a lifestyle blog intended to help ‘Miami enthusiasts revel in and be thankful for life in paradise.’ Originally from Mexico City, she works as an environmental professional—and in October 2016, she published her first book, The HUNT Miami, which documents some of the city’s most under-the-radar gems.” —Localeur Magazine, Fall/Winter 2017

Margarita Wells, Miami Beach’s interim environment and sustainability director, told the Miami Herald that local governments would benefit from having more prices to compare when arranging a beach renourishment project. —Tampa Bay Times, October 25 2017

“Wells said that beach renourishment combined with sand dunes is the most effective method for fighting erosion…” —Miami Herald, October 24 2017

“Dunes are important to our city because they help protect our homes, businesses and investments against harsh winds, waves and storms,” said Environmental Resources Manager Margarita Wells. —MB Magazine Fall 2016: “Meet Your Wildlife Neighbors” (p. 20-21), September 30 2017

Pine Crest School Alumna Interviewed on The Weather Channel —Pine Crest School, September 29 2017

“The challenge with sea level rise as it relates to our beaches is that we would anticipate that as the sea level rises, it is going to take away some of the width we currently have.” —The Weather Channel, September 28 2017

“Margarita Wells, the Beach’s environmental director, told the Miami Herald the impacts highlight the importance of maintaining the city’s dunes and shoreline.” —Miami Herald, September 19 2017

“It was such an honor to be listed alongside Martin Murray from Michigan University, Margarita Wells from City of Miami Beach, Jason Reblando from Illinois State University, Alan During from Sightline Institute, Mario Gandelsonas from Princeton University and Tom Vilsack, former Governor of Iowa.” —From “A Week in Grinnell” by Shuyanglin, September 13 2017

“Margarita Wells stands in the hot midday sun on the pier and points to the gray quay wall. The elevated wall provides flood protection and is another element of the Rising Above strategy.” —Taz Germany, September 10 2017

“Margarita Wells points to a large gray box that stands between Biscayne Bay and Purdy Avenue, explaining how the system works.” —NTV Germany, September 8 2017

“Wells said a diverse mix of native grasses, shrubs and trees will be planted to replace the razed dunes…” —Miami Herald, August 19 2017

Sea Turtle Protection: Lighting Edition —RE: Miami Beach, August 11 2017

“La Bióloga Marina, Margarita Wells, del ayuntamiento de Miami Beach, a dirigido este último taller, haciendo aportes con medidas de adaptación al cambio climático.” —Alcaldía de Las Terrenas, July 22 2017

“…se llevó acabo el primer día de intercambio con una experta de recursos naturales y sostenibilidad, Sra. Margarita Wells, en el ayuntamiento de Las Terrenas.” —Alcaldía de Las Terrenas, July 19 2017

“There’s a lot of things to learn from the Dutch,” Wells said. — WLRN, June 27 2017

Miami Beach Se Eleva Sobre El Nivel Del Mar —Telocuentonews, April 12 2017

“One of Wheaton’s staff members, environmental resources manager Margarita Wells, will serve as acting environmental director.” —Miami Herald, February 22 2017

“I am pleased to advise that I am appointing Margarita Wells, Environmental Resources Manager to serve as the Acting Environment and Sustainability Director.” —Letter to Commission from Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales, February 14 2017

“‘All stormwater carries pollutants,’ says Margarita Wells, the city’s environmental resources manager.” —Miami New Times, November 15 2016

Bloomberg’s D4GX Data Scientists and Non-Profit Hosts Share Key Lessons Learned —Medium, October 19 2016

How To Experience Miami: According To Locals —JetBlue Out of the Blue Blog, June 2 2016

Local Love: Miami, FL vs. New Orleans, LA —Trulia Blog, April 6 2016

Miami’s Coast Is Getting A Natural Face-Lift —WLRN, March 18 2015

Es Important Tomar En Serio Elevación Del Nivel Del Mar: Margarita Wells —W Radio, February 10 2015

Foodie Friends – #ThankYouMiami —Mitch and Mel Take Miami, 2015

Getting to Known our Localeurs: Ericka & Margarita —The Localeur Blog, 2015

“Without the aid of these devices, these food residues harden in the sewer pipes and clog the system, often causing back-ups and wastewater discharges that can threaten public health and are costly to clean up,” noted Margarita Wells, Environment and Sustainability Specialist. —MB Magazine Winter 2015: “Stuck in the FOG” (p. 44-45), December 31 2014