Julie Watkins

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Julie Watkins, a James Madison University graduate and a member of the American Meteorological Society, has forecast weather for over 10 years in various locations on the East Coast.  She originally came to the First Coast in 2003. During her time here, she participated in around-the-clock coverage of the most active hurricane seasons in Florida including Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. She returned home to Richmond, Virginia in 2005 and worked with the local CBS affiliate for a year before joining a station in Orlando.

In 2007, Julie took a break from broadcasting to focus on forming a nonprofit organization, The Girls Gone Green (www.thegirlsgonegreen.com), in an effort to heighten awareness about the plight of our planet and its inhabitants.  Her organization is featured on the hit CBS show, THE GOOD WIFE with two of The Girls Gone Green posters hanging in the daughters room. In 2010, The Girls Gone Green presented the very first Northeast Florida Veg Fest (www.nfvegfest.org) in Riverside Park.  It's a day-long event featuring various healthy and sustainable foods, cooking demonstrations, live music, informed speakers and movie screenings all in an effort to create positive change in the community. The Fourth Annual Northeast Florida Veg Fest is slated for Saturday, November 9, 2013. 

Julie embraced the opportunity to return to Jacksonville in 2008 to join the team at Action News Jacksonville.  The American Meteorological Society recognizes Julie as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.  The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding, especially with respect to environmental issues.   

Environmental issues are Julie's passion at work and through her nonprofit.  Julie hopes that by working together, we can improve the quality of life for both humans and animals and she welcomes your ideas and suggestions. They are always looking for volunteers and involvement. You can contact her at Julie@thegirlsgonegreen.com to become active and to find out ways you can make a difference.