April Volunteer Bulletin 2026

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April 2026

Gopher Tortoise Hatchling, a Threatened Native Species

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Earth Month in Orange County

April is a time for everyone to come together and engage in hands-on experiences that promote environmental stewardship. Activities will take place across the county, with partnerships between various Orange County departments and divisions. To find out more about Orange County’s special Earth Month-themed classes and events visit www.ocfl.net/EarthMonth.

Looking for a little Earth Month fun? Join us in downtown Orlando April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of festivities at Lake Eola, located at 512 East Washington Street. The event will feature food trucks, local vendors and sustainability‑focused activities for all ages. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will be on-site with informative displays highlighting the services we provide throughout Orange County. From pollution prevention to water quality programs, staff will be available to answer questions and share ways residents can support a cleaner, greener community. It’s a family-friendly celebration designed to inspire environmental stewardship and connect the community during Earth Month. Come out, enjoy the sunshine and be sure to visit our tent.

In Her Own Words

Meet Intern Emily Mayo

"My time at the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) so far has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about many different teams within the division. I’ve been out on a boat collecting water samples with the Water Sciences team and in the lab testing chlorophyll and turbidity levels, riding in a UTV while learning about Florida’s wildlife with the Green PLACE team, and visiting a transfer station with the Pollution Prevention and Control (P2C) program. I’ve also had the chance to shadow professional engineers who share my interest in environmental engineering, which has been especially inspiring. Along the way, I’ve assisted with field projects, worked on mapping projects, and gained hands-on experience with industry Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. Overall, the experience has been both engaging and invaluable to my professional growth. I am incredibly grateful to my supervisors for the opportunities they have given me to grow and learn. They genuinely care about my future and about making my experience at EPD meaningful. I am excited for the adventures and learning opportunities yet to come!"

Lend a hand and make a difference in Orange County's environment and community.

Stay Informed:

Receive More News From EPD

Would you like to learn more about the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD)? EPD is excited to share information about events, sustainability, the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, regulatory updates, lake management, water quality and more! If you'd like to be included on the email list, please fill out this brief sign-up form.

GET INVOLVED: ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Storm Drain Labeling

Spearhead a storm drain labeling project in your community. Orange County eVIP provides all the supplies, a one-hour training session and support to create an enjoyable and meaningful service project for your group. Please help us keep our surface water clean and storm drains functioning properly. This is a great project for Scout groups!

Girls identifying natural specimen with phone app

The Explore Nature Project

The Explore Nature Project provides an opportunity to help clean up natural lands in Orange County and learn about the countless species in these diverse ecosystems. To view recent observations captured by Explore Nature volunteers, visit eVIP's iNaturalist Project page. Then click "join" to upload and share your finds! Volunteer hours will be verified upon request.

Internship Program

To learn more about the program, send an email stating your interest. Internships are competitive and applications are accepted year-round. Students can earn service hours, college credit and gain meaningful work experience. Interns who complete a three-month unpaid internship are eligible to apply for paid internships as available.

Orange County Water Quality Monitoring

Orange County partners with the UF/IFAS LAKEWATCH program to provide volunteers with training and equipment for water-quality testing on local lakes. Volunteers need lake access, a few hours each month to collect samples, transportation to deliver samples, a canoe or watercraft, and a commitment of two years or more.

EnviroScape Training and Presentations

Learn how to use the EnviroScape Model to provide fun, hands-on watershed education presentations. Are you an educator? Once trained, classroom teachers and youth group leaders can "check out" our education materials or request EnviroScape presentations for their students. Presentations are offered year-round as scheduling permits.

Group Community

Cleanup Kit

Is your group looking for an environmental project? eVIP has a new kit that helps individuals lead a cleanup and assist in keeping Orange County free of pollution. eVIP provides the supplies, training, and support. The project is open to volunteers of all ages and groups of all sizes. Educational materials will be provided as requested.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!

If you would like more information on any of the opportunities listed above,

please contact the Orange County Environmental Protection Division Volunteer Coordinator

at evip@ocfl.net or 407-836-1400.

Visit Our Website

Orange County Environmental Protection Division, a part of the Planning, Environmental and Development Services Department

www.ocfl.net/eVIP

407-836-1400 | 321-689-8232 (cell) | 407-836-1499 (fax)

3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803

Serving our community by conserving, protecting and enhancing the environment for current and future generations.