Volunteers planting trees at Winter Garden Station. |
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Lend a Hand to make a difference in your Orange County environment and community.
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Welcome New Interns!
eVIP Volunteer Internship Program
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The Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is thrilled to welcome our new cadre of eVIP Volunteer Interns. After participating in the November Virtual Internship Meet & Greet, this group eagerly awaits the opportunity to begin their internships in the new year. EPD staff strive to be great mentors and are busy planning for the arrival of the volunteer interns. Keep an eye on the 2021 eVIP Newsletters as we highlight these exceptional additions to our team. |
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Thank you eVIP Volunteers
Storm Drain Labeling and Trash Cleanups
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The Orange County Environmental Protection Division sends out a big thank you to the various volunteers working on cleanups and storm drain labeling projects. Volunteers have been working diligently to educate residents about stormwater runoff and pick up trash in our communities. In the final months of 2020, volunteers from the University of Central Florida, Avalon Park Rotary Club and a small group led by Judy Jenkins installed more than 780 storm drain labels. Additionally, five volunteers piloted our new Virtual Opportunities and cleaned up nine natural spaces in Orange County. We are so appreciative of our dedicated volunteers! |
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30 Years of Pollution Prevention (P2)
Vacuum Maintenance
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Orange County Environmental Protection Division encourages you to Fix It, Don’t Pitch It! During our Fix It events our residents bring in dozens of household items that need a minor fix in order to continue to work for years. Two common items fixed are Roomba’s and vacuum cleaners which both require you to remove hair on a regular basis to keep them running smoothly. Take a few moments to watch Richard perform basic maintenance on a vacuum. You can make a difference when you reduce, reuse, REPAIR and recycle in your home. For more information about Pollution Prevention (P2), visit Residential Environmental Initiatives.
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My Yard My Springs
Wekiva Springshed
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The Wekiva Springshed covers 286 square miles across Lake, Orange and Seminole counties and is known to recharge the waters in our natural springs. Nitrogen fertilizer washes off our yards and drains into our springs, contributing to water pollution and algae growth. Help keep our lakes, rivers and springs clean for wildlife and recreational purposes. This winter season, think warm thoughts…plan your spring-friendly garden! Save time and money by replacing part or all of your lawn with easy-to-maintain Florida-friendly shrubs or flowers. Learn more about how you can help to protect the Wekiva Basin.
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Sign Up!
Receive More News From EPD
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Would you like to learn more about the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD)? EPD is excited to share a variety of information about events, sustainability, the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, regulatory updates, lake management, water quality and more! If you would like to be included on the email list, please fill out this brief sign-up form.
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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 the support to create an enjoyable and meaningful service project for your group. Please help us keep our surface water clean and our storm drains functioning properly. Great project for scout groups!
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EnviroScape Training Workshop
Learn how to use the EnviroScape Model to provide fun, hands-on watershed education presentations to youth in Orange County. Are you an educator? Once trained, classroom teachers and youth group leaders can also "check out" our education materials. One-on-one trainings can be arranged to accommodate your schedule.
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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 meaningful work experience. Interns who complete a three-month unpaid internship are eligible to apply for paid internships as available.
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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 one-year-plus commitment to sampling.
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In-School, After-School and Summer Camp Presentations
Teachers and youth group leaders interested in watershed education can request EnviroScape presentations for their students. Presentations are approximately 25 minutes long and are scheduled throughout the academic year and summer months as schedule permits.
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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 a good fit for volunteers of all ages and groups of all sizes. Educational materials will be provided as requested.
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If you enjoyed being an eVIP volunteer, please help us get the word out through social media. You can also provide your feedback and offer ideas for improvement! Scan the QR code or click on this link to access the short survey.
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If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed above, please contact the Orange County Environmental Protection Division Volunteer Coordinator
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Orange County Environmental Protection Division
407-836-1430 | Cell 321-689-8232 | Fax 407-836-1499
3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803
Serving our community by conserving, protecting and enhancing the environment for current and future generations.
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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