The Tampa Bay Estuary: An Oral History of Community Collaboration to Restore Ecological Integrity
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Publication Date
January 2015
Abstract
Edgar O. "Ozzie" Morris grew up near Ybor City in Tampa, Florida. After receiving his BS in chemistry from the University of Florida in 1973, Morris started working at a phosphate processing plant in Gibsonton, Florida. Morris spent over 30 years in the phosphate industry, working his way up from a lab technician to Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Security programs. During this interview, Morris recounts the genesis of his interest in environmental science and provides a historical overview of the phosphate industry in Florida. Morris talks about positive aspects of the phosphate industry, including its role in providing nutrient-rich fertilizer for food production. He describes environmental issues related to phosphate processing and how the phosphate industry responded to legislation such as the Clean Air Act by creating new technologies to reduce air emissions and nitrogen in the environment. Morris also shares his thoughts on the importance of community engagement, ecosystem restoration, and land stewardship.
Keywords
Phosphate industry, Florida, Pollution, Oral history, Online audio
Subject: geographic
Florida;
Media Type
Oral histories; Interviews
Identifier
T43-00015
Recommended Citation
Morris, Edgar O; Hodgson, Ann B; University of South Florida Libraries -- Florida Studies Center.|Oral History Program; and University of South Florida -- Tampa Library, "Edgar O. Morris oral history interview" (2015). The Tampa Bay Estuary: An Oral History of Community Collaboration to Restore Ecological Integrity. 15.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tb_estuary_ohp/15
Rights Statement
