Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Florida Department of Environmental Protection The official page for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP protects, conserves and manages Florida's natural resources.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects, conserves and manages Florida's natural resources and enforces the state's environmental laws. DEP oversees and manages Florida's award-winning state parks and trails system. Since 1990, through its innovative land acquisition programs, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever, more than two million acres of valuable lands have been p

reserved, protecting habitat for 190 native and endangered animals and plants, while restoring ecosystems throughout the state. The department's regulatory priorities include administering Florida's air pollution control programs to best protect human health; protecting and restoring water quality; managing hazardous waste and cleanups; overseeing beach restorations; and reviewing applications for power plants, transmission lines and natural gas pipelines. In addition, DEP’s six district offices ensure statewide compliance with department rules.

Today is World Oceans Day! Florida’s ocean sustains our wildlife, protects our coastlines and has supported the natural ...
06/08/2026

Today is World Oceans Day!

Florida’s ocean sustains our wildlife, protects our coastlines and has supported the natural communities of Florida for millennia.

Protecting our oceans means protecting Florida’s future. Every restoration project, every water‑quality improvement and every conservation effort helps keep these waters thriving for generations to come.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.
📍: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

In the critical wildlife area at Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, staff collaborated with Green Space Water Allian...
06/05/2026

In the critical wildlife area at Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, staff collaborated with Green Space Water Alliance and others to plant 85 buttonwoods and mangroves.

This huge planting event was possible due to donations and volunteers. This project adds supplemental nesting habitat for hundreds of birds.

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📍: Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves

💡: Visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org/ for updates and helpful information.

Snip the line, save a life. With the help of other rangers and volunteers, Lead Ranger Zach at Guana Tolomato Matanzas ...
06/04/2026

Snip the line, save a life.

With the help of other rangers and volunteers, Lead Ranger Zach at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was able to free an osprey tangled in some fishing line.

Never leave line on the ground or in the water, as it can entangle birds, turtles and other wildlife. A simple cut and toss in the right bin help protect Florida’s waterways and the animals that call them home.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

It's National Rivers Month! Check out an example of the work DEP does to help maintain rivers in Florida.The Wekiva Rive...
06/01/2026

It's National Rivers Month! Check out an example of the work DEP does to help maintain rivers in Florida.

The Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve teamed up with the Clean Water Coalition to conduct a targeted, on‑water cleanup addressing long‑standing debris within a heavily used section of the Wekiva River.

This collaborative effort focused on an area where a substantial accumulation of aluminum cans, some dating up to 50 years old, had been identified along the riverbed.

Through this coordinated initiative, 201 aluminum cans were successfully recovered, improving the immediate condition of the waterway and reducing long‑term risks to wildlife and water quality.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves welcomed local seventh‑grade students to Floridatown Park to assist with planting a ...
05/29/2026

Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves welcomed local seventh‑grade students to Floridatown Park to assist with planting a living shoreline as part of the Grasses to Classes program.

Through this program, students spend the school year learning about coastal habitat restoration by caring for and propagating shoreline plants in their classrooms. At the end of the year, they apply that knowledge in the field by planting the vegetation they have grown at an active restoration site.

The Floridatown Park planting brought the full cycle of learning and stewardship together, giving students the opportunity to contribute directly to the preservation of this historic shoreline.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

The Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve supports freshwater turtle monitoring in part through its partnership events with the ...
05/28/2026

The Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve supports freshwater turtle monitoring in part through its partnership events with the Turtle Survival Alliance.

Over three days, staff and volunteers conducted capture‑mark‑recapture surveys across Rock Springs, Wekiwa Springs, and the Wekiva River, documenting 184 turtles. Teams accessed sites by canoe, collected biological data and safely released each turtle where it was found.

This long‑term study provides critical insight into population trends, species diversity and ecological change.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

The Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve recently partici...
05/27/2026

The Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve recently participated in a two‑day Teachers on the Estuary training in partnership with the Guy Harvey Foundation.

More than 120 educators attended the event, which focused on helping teachers bring real‑world data and science communication skills into their classrooms.

Staff highlighted existing Florida Department of Environmental Protection educational resources and led sessions to refine the new SEACAR lesson plans, ensuring the materials are accessible and useful for both teachers and students.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve has launched its biannual Surface Elevation Table monitoring in the Low...
05/26/2026

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve has launched its biannual Surface Elevation Table monitoring in the Lower River Marsh, collecting new data to support the Wetlands and Water Level program.

Healthy marshes naturally build elevation through sediment deposition and plant growth. Elevation measurements reveal if that upward growth is fast enough to offset changes in water levels.

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💡: Before you go, visit FloridaAquaticPreserves.org for updates and helpful information.

This Memorial Day DEP honors the service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation. As Floridians gather wit...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day DEP honors the service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

As Floridians gather with family, explore the outdoors, or spend time in the places they love, we encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the meaning of this day and the heroes it commemorates.

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📍: Fort Clinch State Park

Florida’s Aquifer Protection Program is the state’s frontline defense for keeping underground drinking water clean and s...
05/12/2026

Florida’s Aquifer Protection Program is the state’s frontline defense for keeping underground drinking water clean and safe.

Following the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, this program has monitored and enforced operational standards for well construction and operation in Florida.

Florida’s aquifers have been here for millions of years, and keeping them healthy is a statewide priority.

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📍: Manatee Springs State Park
America250FL

Address

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL
32399

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18502452118

Website

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