Looking for a new way to go green and save more money?  Check out Orange County's new solar incentive program for residential and commercial properties.

Orange County is considering new regulations concerning the application of fertilizer.  These regulations are part of continuing efforts to protect our valuable lakes and streams from receiving excessive amounts of Nitrogen and Phosphorus - the two leading pollutants in our county waters.  Submit comments or question to Alan Marshall at alan.marshall@ocfl.net or via mail.

Proposed Fertilizer Ordinance [Updated 1/15/2009](PDF - 104KB)

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is offering rebates for the purchase and installation of auxiliary power units (APUs) on older model Class 8 diesel trucks with sleeper berths.  For more information visit the FDEP Web site.

July is Lakes Appreciation Month and Smart Irrigation Month (External Sites)

It's the rainy season - and the perfect time to pay attention to your landscaping habits.

• cut down on watering - the lawn gets enough from the summer rains
• no need to fertilize until fall
• use mulch to retain moisture, maintain even soil temperature, and prevent erosion and weeds - but avoid cypress mulch! (External Site)

Find out more about Florida friendly landscaping by contacting the Orange County Extension Education Center at (407) 254-9200.    

July 15 • Wednesday • 8 AM – 12 noon •  Vehicle Industry Environmental Workshop (PDF - 64KB)  • presented by METRA (External Site) • pre-register by July 13 • $25/person (includes lunch)

July 16 • Thursday •  11:30 AM – 1 PM  •  Lunch Meeting • Central Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (External Site) • Presentation - Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines • OC Supervisor of Elections Office, 119 W. Kaley Street, Orlando  • RSVP by Friday, July 10 to  cmalphurs@millerlegg.com

July 18 • Saturday • 8 AM to 2:30 PM • 16th Annual Orange County Community Conference •  Registration  $15

July 25 • Saturday • 8:30 AM – 12 noon •Air Potato Pull • Trimble Park • to Volunteer contact Brett Cogswell, OC WAV Coordination • WAVOrange@sjrwmd.com or (407) 836-1430

July 29 - 31 • Wednesday - Friday • Florida Local Environmental Resource Agencies (FLERA) 2009 Annual Conference (External Site) • Sarasota, Florida • Early-Bird Discount and Hotel Deadline have been extended to July 13th • Register today!

July 29 • Wednesday • 5 PM - 7 PM • Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Meeting (209 KB) • in conjuction w/ the FLERA 2009 Annual Conference • Sarasota, Florida

Saturdays • Streetscapes Adopt-a-Tree (External Site) • 8 AM - 12 noon • Orange County residents can get 2 free trees • call Orange County Cooperative Extension for more info • (407) 254-9200 • first come, first served, so arrive early

• July 25 • Bear Creek Park (District 4)

• Aug 15 • Fort Christmas Historical Park

• Sep 19 • Barnett Park

Orange County Parks are clean, green, fun!

ECOSaturdays (PDF - 135KB) • FREE! • 10 AM  • Tibet-Butler Preserve • (407) 876-6696 

• July 18 • Panther Prowl
• July 25 • Hurricane: Nature's Fury

• August 22 • Call of the Wild

• August 29 • When Butter Flies

Discover environmental programs at other Orange County parks.

Orange County has been certified a Green Local Government at the Gold level by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) - the first municipality in Florida to receive the certification at the gold level!  Learn how the County is going from Orange to Green and what you can do!

• Orange to Green Development Program for sustainable development • Florida Friendly Landscaping Demonstration Garden • Climate Change Summit • and much more!

EPA Guide to Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Strategies and Practices (PDF - 771KB)

On February 15, 2008, Orange County hosted a Low Impact Development (LID) Workshop provided by St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD) (External Site), FDEP and University of Florida (UF)/IFAS Extension.  Presentations from the workshop can be downloaded below in PDF format.

800 Mercy Drive, Suite 4
Orlando, FL 32808
Phone: (407) 836-1400
Fax: (407) 836-1499

The mission of the Environmental Protection Division is "serving the community by protecting the environment through education, participation, and conservation."