LEARN ABOUT & SUPPORT OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

STAY UP TO DATE!!

Living On Earth, PRIs (Public Radio International) Environmental News Magazine

Access weekly reports and archives.

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TAKE ACTION: LEARN, REGISTER, VOTE, VOLUNTEER!

Environmental Voter Project

Support candidates who support the environment. To find out more

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TAKE ACTION: VOLUNTEER

Sarasota Bay Guardians

This volunteer program engages people of all ages in ongoing efforts to restore and protect Sarasota Bay. Click Here

federal agencies

United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

The USACE tracks permits, planning, water management, coastal protection, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/ Jacksonville District Corporate Communications Office

904-232-2568, or PublicMail.CESAJ-CC@usace.army.milThrough congressional appropriations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has invested $2.4 billion to date into the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration program, which includes Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) and CERP projects.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

NMFS (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/) helps provide healthy habitat—like wetlands, rivers, and coral reefs and provides important areas for fish to eat and reproduce. But habitat has been destroyed by coastal development, pollution, extreme weather, and other factors, leading to reduced fish populations. We conserve habitat to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support resilient coastal communities.

National Estuary Program and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

Give customers a reason to do business with you. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (https://sarasotabay.org/) 941-955-8085

is an intergovernmental partnership that strives to increase habitat and improve water quality in Sarasota Bay and enhance the area's natural resources for public benefit. Nitrogen is the primary pollutant of concern in Sarasota Bay. Algae growth in the Bay responds quickly to elevated concentrations of nitrogen. While some algae growth is normal in an estuary, uncontrolled growth leads to declines in water quality and can eventually cause reductions in seagrass habitats.

Florida State Agencies

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/

(352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476

SWFWMD Permitting https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting - search permits

in-process and applicable rules for Environmental Resources, Water Use, and Well Construction as well

as Public Noticing associated with permits.ss here.

Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection

Track an FDEP Permit (air or water or waste) and agency, permittee, or complaint / violation

correspondence at http://prodenv.dep.state.fl.us/DepNexus/public/searchPortal

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research, Hunting

and Game Management, Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Management, Habitat and Species

Conservation, Law Enforcement https://myfwc.com/ Southwest Regional Office: 863-648-3200

Wildlife Law Violations – Wildlife Alert (anywhere in state): 888-404-3922

More State Agencies

University of Florida Extension Service

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) means using low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. Learn how you can have a beautiful landscape that could save you time, energy and money while protecting our future. Find out more from your county’s FYN program or from this website and the FloridaYards.org companion web site of the FDEP Springs Initiative.

University of Florida IFAS Extension Service http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/floridafriendly-

landscaping/.

COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING SERVICES

The guiding documents for this division include the Comprehensive Plan which acts as a road map.

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SARASOTA COUNTY PERMIT SEARCH

For information about locating permits.

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SARASOTA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

The Environmental Protection Division focuses on : Air and Water Quality, Environmental Permitting, and Environmental Planning. Click Here

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan guides the development of land, economic growth, resource protection, and the provision of public services and facilities over time throughout the county. Click Here

UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE

The Planning and Development Services Department (PDS) offers a variety of services for our community. From community engagement through the development review process, PDS is dedicated to providing excellent service. There are five divisions that make up PDS: Building, Code Enforcement, Environmental Protection, Planning and Zoning, and Property Management. Click Here

NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP TEAM

Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST)

To participate, visit the Sarasota County Water Atlas' NEST page. The NEST program operates at the neighborhood-level to improve watershed-scale resources, and no matter where you are in Sarasota County, you are in one of the county's watersheds.

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