The Alachua County Commission is proud to participate in the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.”
County Earth Day events include:
Passport to the Preserves (from April 10 to May 3) – In celebration of Earth Day, Alachua County invites residents to travel to the beautiful local nature preserves. After visiting the preserves, participants can fill out a web form for an entry to win an earth day celebration prize. To participate and learn more, visit the Alachua County Environmental Protection website, or contact Hollie Greer at 352-264-6827.
8th Annual ‘Saving My Alachua’ Environmental Art Contest Winners Ceremony (April 22, at 5:30 p.m.) – The 8th Annual ‘Saving My Alachua’ Environmental Art Contest Winners Ceremony takes place at the County Administration Building West Lawn (12 S.E. 1st Street, Gainesville). Participants must RSVP by contacting Eliana Bardi at 352-264-6810.
Cross Creek Boat Ramp Tree Planting Event (April 23, at 10 a.m.) – The County will be planting trees at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Park, Kate Barns Boat Ramp (18800 S. County RD 325, Cross Creek). Those interested in volunteering should contact Lacy Holtzworth at 352-548-1266.
iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (from April 30 to May 3)- Alachua County and the City of Gainesville are joining 250 other cities and counties around the world in participating in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge. To participate, residents must download the free iNaturalist app on their smartphones. Participants take photos of all the plants and animals they can find in their yards, neighborhoods, local parks, and at one of the County Preserves, and post the photos to iNaturalist through the website or app. To learn more, go to the City Nature Challenge website.
“The variety of events our citizens can participate in is wonderful,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Acting Director Stephen Hofstetter. “Striving for a healthy and sustainable planet is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity.”
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program Continues to Accept Applications |
The Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is continuing to accept applications.
ERAP is a Federal Grant intended to assist households who cannot pay or are having difficulty paying rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can assist eligible households with the payment of late rent and/or utilities and may also assist with rent payment in advance. Payments will generally be made only to landlords/property managers and/or utility companies, not the households themselves. Alachua County is distributing over $8 million in ERAP funds. Each household is limited to a maximum of $15,000 in assistance.
If you have questions regarding this application or need assistance, please call the Alachua County ERAP Helpline at 352-704-0301.
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2021 Saving My Alachua Environmental Art Contest Recognition |
On Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021, Alachua County will recognize those students selected as winners in the County's eighth annual "Saving My Alachua" Environmental Art Contest. Winners from each grade will be recognized during a special outdoor event at 5:30 p.m. on the West Lawn of the County Administration Building (12 S.E. 1st Street, downtown Gainesville). This event is for contest winners and their families. An RSVP is required to attend.
“We all speak through different voices, and through art is one of those ways,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Acting Director Stephen Hofstetter. “In the spirit of Earth Day, it is incredible to see how our young citizens have expressed their concerns about our environment through their beautiful artwork.”
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Alachua County is joining numerous governments, utilities, and agencies across Florida in declaring April as “Water Conservation Month.”
“We all need to do our part to use less water every day,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Resources Program Manager Stacie Greco. “Past survey data has revealed that over 50% of Alachua County residents don’t know that the water we use for our yards, homes, and businesses comes from the aquifer- the same source that replenishes our springs, rivers, and lakes. Look for EPD’s Aquifer Awareness campaign via social media, billboards, and print media to learn more about our water.”
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Upcoming Walk-Up Vaccination Clinics: No Appointment Needed |
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics. These clinics do not require appointments and are available for Florida residents ages 16 years and older in Alachua County.
To receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, participants must bring proof of residency. Please see this residency notice for the requirements needed to prove residency.
The times and locations include:
April 20, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church - Worship Center (4000 N.W. 53 Ave, Gainesville). This walk-up clinic is offering the Pfizer Vaccine and is available for those 16 and older.
April 21, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church - Worship Center (4000 N.W. 53 Ave, Gainesville). This walk-up clinic is offering the Pfizer Vaccine and is available for those 16 and older.
To expedite visits, participants should download and fill out the appropriate consent form and bring it with them to this event. For those who are unable to download this form and print it out, forms will be available at the event. Read and review the appropriate Fact Sheet and Notice of Privacy Practices.
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Re-Entry Partnership Conference |
The Alachua County Library District and Partnership for Strong Families in collaboration Alachua County Partners present the fifth Re-Entry Partnership Conference May 10-13 virtually and in person and the Community Job and Resource Fair May 24 at Gainesville City Lot 10 downtown. The Re-Entry Partnership Conference and Job and Resource Fair are geared to help people with criminal backgrounds or others struggling to re-enter the workforce access educational programs and discover entrepreneurship opportunities.
Conference attendees will learn about interviewing skills and employment resources from local experts. Participants can receive community service hours and incentives including professional clothing, a resume, and a bus pass.
The Re-Entry Community Job and Resource Fair is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, May 24 at Gainesville City Lot 10, 100 SW 1 Ave., on the corner of Southwest First Avenue and Second Street in downtown Gainesville. This job and resource fair is open to anyone and allows job seekers to meet face-to-face with potential employers and representatives from community agencies.
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Learn more about Elections in Florida |
From the Gainesville Sun
Florida’s voters and elections officials are nothing if not resilient.
I have only administered elections in Florida — and more specifically, only in Alachua County — but I cannot imagine a place in this country where it is more difficult or the stakes are any higher year after year.
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