eVIP Volunteer assisting with trail maintenance at Blanchard Park |
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Lend a Hand to make a difference in your Orange County environment and community.
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Fall 2021
Virtual Volunteering Opportunities
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The Orange County Environmental Protection Division wants to make it safe and convenient for volunteers to remain engaged and earn volunteer hours. We are piloting additional ways for volunteers to assist the Green PLACE program, including a soon-to-be released virtual hike, social media postings and clean ups. Email today to request more information on the opportunities available. Volunteers can take part in one or more of the projects. See below for details on storm drain labeling, another popular activity that can be done safely. Students seeking volunteer hours will need to gain preapproval from their schools to verify the eligibility of community service hours. |
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Fall eVIP Internship Meet & Greet
November 11, 2021
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The Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will host a virtual Internship Meet & Greet on Thursday, November 11 at 9 a.m. This networking event is for those interested in volunteering as interns for the spring semester. At the Meet & Greet, EPD staff will conduct brief interviews with candidates and describe various internship opportunities. Current application and enrollment in school is required. Candidates must RSVP to participate.
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Where Are They Now?
Former Intern Elizabeth Tran
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It's high fashion for a good cause! When the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) connected with former intern Elizabeth Tran, we were excited to learn about all she has accomplished since her internship in 2016. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Miami in 2018 with a degree in marketing and completed her masters in web design at the University of Florida. Recently, she participated in the Miss Florida USA competition wearing a Miami Beach City Costume she created out of garbage to promote the “Save the Biscayne Bay” movement (see photo). Elizabeth says she was inspired by the water sampling, lab testing and storm drain labelling she did as a volunteer and intern with EPD.
On what she has been up to: I am currently based in Miami working in Property Management Marketing. My non-profit organization Teens Go Green became registered as a 501(c)3 with a new generation of teens as the board of directors. The new board has actually been doing storm drain labeling and beautification in Orange County since they were 4 years old.
On notable projects: I’ve been really passionate about promoting minimal waste through trash fashions. My family and I love making and sharing outfits we made out of garbage collected from our home and office. It’s led us to some interesting experiences, like a TLC reality show and now I will be a TEDx speaker.
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Red-eared Sliders
Can You Volunteer to Provide a Forever Home?
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Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are popular in the pet trade but require a sizable commitment from pet owners — these nonnative, freshwater turtles can live up to 20 years or more! Potential owners should only acquire this species with a full knowledge of the lifespan, required tank size, dietary requirements and continuous tank cleaning needed for proper care. Due to the negative impacts they pose to Florida’s ecosystem, red-eared sliders are regulated in Florida. Are you knowledgeable in turtle care and able to provide a forever home for a pet red-eared slider in need? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program is recruiting new adopters willing to give these sliders a forever home! Contact FWC directly for more information.
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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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Thank you for your interest! |
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If you would like more information on 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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