🌊 Conservation in Action
Our conservation efforts focus on protecting Central Florida's most critical ecosystems through advocacy, citizen action, and collaboration with government agencies, scientists, and community partners. Together, we're working to preserve our region's natural heritage for future generations.
🌊 Water Conservation
Protecting Central Florida's springs, rivers, and groundwater through advocacy, monitoring, and education about sustainable water use practices.
🌳 Habitat Protection
Preserving critical wildlife habitats, creating corridors, and supporting land acquisition efforts to maintain biodiversity.
🏛️ Policy Advocacy
Engaging with local and state governments to promote environmental protection through legislation and policy development.
⚡ Clean Energy
Supporting renewable energy development while ensuring environmental impacts are properly assessed and mitigated.
🎯 Current Conservation Priorities
🏗️ Volusia Dev Watch (PLDRC): Conservation & EJ Screening
Use our community-powered Dev Watch to track Planning & Land Development Regulation Commission (PLDRC) cases that may affect wetlands, water resources, habitat connectivity, and environmental justice.
Open Volusia Dev Watch →💧 Springs Protection Initiative
Goal: Reduce nitrate pollution in Central Florida springs
Actions: Advocating for stronger fertilizer ordinances, supporting agricultural best practices, and monitoring water quality at key spring sites. Working with St. Johns River Water Management District on restoration projects.
🌳 Scrub Habitat Conservation
Goal: Protect remaining scrub habitat for endangered species
Actions: Supporting Florida Scrub-Jay habitat acquisition and management, advocating for wildlife corridors, and educating the public about scrub ecosystem importance and restoration needs.
🏖️ Coastal Resilience Project
Goal: Prepare coastline for sea level rise and storm impacts
Actions: Supporting living shoreline projects, opposing seawalls that damage ecosystems, and advocating for managed retreat policies in vulnerable coastal areas.
🏭 Air Quality Monitoring
Goal: Ensure clean air standards are met and enforced
Actions: Monitoring industrial emissions, supporting clean transportation initiatives, and advocating for stricter air quality standards in environmental justice communities.
🌱 Urban Forest Protection
Goal: Preserve and expand tree canopy in urban areas
Actions: Supporting stronger tree protection ordinances, advocating for green infrastructure in development projects, and promoting native tree planting initiatives.
♻️ Waste Reduction Campaign
Goal: Reduce plastic pollution and promote circular economy
Actions: Supporting single-use plastic bans, organizing community cleanups, and educating about sustainable consumption practices and waste reduction strategies.
📊 Conservation Success Stories
Our advocacy and collaborative efforts have achieved significant conservation victories for Central Florida
🏞️ Land Acquisition Victories
Successfully advocated for the protection of over 15,000 acres of critical habitat through Florida Forever funding, conservation easements, and strategic partnerships with land trusts and government agencies.
💧 Water Quality Improvements
Helped establish stronger nutrient standards for local waterways, supported the creation of buffer zones around springs, and successfully opposed development projects that threatened water quality.
🌳 Tree Protection Wins
Worked with municipalities to strengthen tree protection ordinances, saving hundreds of mature trees from unnecessary removal and establishing requirements for native tree planting in new developments.
How We Achieve Conservation Goals
Public Advocacy
We attend government meetings, submit public comments, and organize community members to speak out on environmental issues affecting our region.
Science-Based Approach
Our positions are grounded in peer-reviewed research and input from environmental scientists, ensuring our advocacy is credible and effective.
Coalition Building
We work with other environmental groups, community organizations, and concerned citizens to build broad support for conservation initiatives.
Education & Outreach
We educate the public about environmental issues through workshops, presentations, and media outreach to build awareness and support.
Legal Action
When necessary, we support legal challenges to protect environmental laws and ensure proper enforcement of regulations.
Direct Action
We organize restoration projects, monitoring activities, and hands-on conservation work to make an immediate positive impact on our environment.
Conservation Partnerships
🏛️ Government Collaboration
We work closely with Florida Department of Environmental Protection, St. Johns River Water Management District, and local governments to implement effective conservation policies and projects.
🎓 Academic Research
Partnerships with Stetson University, University of Florida, and other research institutions provide scientific backing for our conservation positions and access to cutting-edge research.
🌿 Conservation Organizations
We collaborate with Florida Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Florida, and other groups to maximize our collective conservation impact.
Conservation Action Center
Take Action Today
Environmental challenges require immediate action. Whether you have five minutes to send a letter to an elected official or five hours to volunteer for a restoration project, there are meaningful ways for you to contribute to conservation efforts in Central Florida. Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Join Our Conservation Efforts
Ready to make a real difference in protecting Central Florida's natural environment? Join our conservation team and help us advocate for the protection of springs, wildlife habitats, clean air and water, and sustainable communities.