Greg Tolley, PhD
Professor and Executive Director, The Water School
Florida Gulf Coast University

Greg Tolley is the executive director of The Water School and professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University. He is the founding director of the Coastal Watershed Institute and the former director of graduate studies at FGCU.

Dr. Tolley has mentored both undergraduate and graduate students and teaches courses in estuarine ecology and biogeography. His current research interests focus on the influence of freshwater inflow on estuarine ecosystems and aquatic resources. This research addresses how variation in the timing, amount, and quality of freshwater delivered to estuaries influences the physiology of estuarine organisms, shapes community structure of oyster-reef and zooplankton assemblages, and impacts the potential value of oyster reefs as essential fish habitat. A Certified Fisheries Professional with the American Fisheries Society.

Dr. Tolley was instrumental in developing the marine science program and has worked diligently in Southwest Florida to increase capacity and focus university research on coastal environments and the conservation of aquatic resources and natural assets that are used and enjoyed by Florida residents and visitors alike.

Dr. Tolley currently serves on the board of directors of Fish Florida, the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling. He has also been active in the local community, having served on the boards of the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Bailey Matthews Shell Museum and Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and as a member of the education committee of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

University of South Florida: Ph.D., Marine Science
Marshall University: B.S., Zoology