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DUNEDIN - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole joined a host of federal and state officials on Thursday, including a representative of the White House, along with educators to applaud the Department’s Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program for winning a prestigious federal award and to celebrate Wednesday evening’s presentation honoring Florida during a Gulf of Mexico coastal protections regional conference. This marks the first time that Florida has won the national Coastal America Partnership Award.

On Wednesday evening, the DEP’s LIFE program was awarded first place in the education category of the Gulf of Mexico Program Partnership's 2007 Gulf Guardian Awards dinner event in Tampa. This is the eighth year for that awards program, which was established to honor the businesses, industries, non-profit organizations, government agencies, individuals and partnerships striving to make an environmental difference in the Gulf of Mexico. Award entries were received from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. First-, second-, and third-place awards are given each year in seven categories – individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, partnership and bi-national/federal efforts.

At Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin on Thursday, Secretary Sole was on hand to celebrate the new benchmark for the agency’s LIFE program with a presentation by federal officials of the 2007 Coastal America Partnership Award to Florida for outstanding efforts to restore, protect and educate the public on the coastal environment. Margaret Davidson, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Director of Coastal Services Center, representing the President of the United States, presented the award based on the program’s significant accomplishments and contributions to the objectives of Coastal America.

“As a regulatory agency primarily, the DEP has a very small team for environmental education outreach efforts, and I am proud of the great results that small group have achieved to engage our students in hands-on programs working with our great partners in the school system—all to help nurture the next generation of environmental stewards and to help restore Florida’s natural resources,” said Secretary Sole. “The successes of the field-based education program can be seen in the hundreds of new students who participate in the hands-on program each year that highlights public access to our public lands, estuaries, and aquatic preserves.”

The LIFE program addresses problems facing coastal conservation and builds on opportunities, which include increased emphasis on science education in Florida; increasing interest in the need to diversify the workforce in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and increased support for outdoor education. The program grew from one coastal site in 2004 to today’s use of three coastal areas and one upland site in a Gulf Coast watershed.

“Since the launch of our first LIFE site in 2004, we have used the methods of science to introduce students to the environments they live in,” said Greg Ira, director of DEP’s environmental education program. “It is very encouraging to see other organizations recognizing the importance of education, and we are proud to stand beside all our partners in this recognition of all our efforts.”

Since 2004, more than 3,300 possible future scientists and stewards have participated in the LIFE program. The LIFE partnership with schools is a short series of field-based, environmental-science education. Each of the nine existing programs is a partnership between the DEP and a local school district. The goals of the LIFE program are increased student achievement, teacher professional development in science, increased participation of underserved and under-represented populations, and increased stewardship of public lands.

The Gulf of Mexico Program was formed in 1988 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a non-regulatory, inclusive partnership to provide a broad geographic focus on the major environmental issues in the Gulf. The mission of the Program is “to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the Region.” The partnership includes representation from state and local governments and the citizenry in each of the five Gulf States; the private sector (business and industry); federal agencies responsible for research, monitoring, environmental protection, and natural resource management; and the academic community.

The Coastal America Partnership was established in 1992 to protect, preserve and restore coastal watersheds by integrating federal actions with state and local government and non-governmental efforts. Federal partners include the Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy, State and Transportation, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Executive Office of the President. To recognize outstanding partnership efforts, Coastal America created a national awards program in 1997.

For more information on DEP’s LIFE program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed.

WHITE SPRINGS – Gulf War veteran and DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole joined Rolling Thunder, Inc., and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on Saturday to salute American war veterans, prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action with a ceremonial raising of the POW-MIA flag. The morning ceremony began the second day of the park’s annual three-day Florida Folk Festival, one of the most revered state folk festivals in America.

“It is a privilege for DEP’s state parks to honor the American soldiers who have courageously dedicated and sacrificed their lives to serve and protect our country,” said Secretary Sole. “Raising these flags reminds our residents and visitors to appreciate and respect the many freedoms and privileges we enjoy, such as Florida’s state parks and the recreational opportunities and festivals they provide.”

An advocacy group for the POW-MIA flag, Rolling Thunder, Inc., provided DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks with POW-MIA flags for display at state parks throughout Florida. Representatives from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the local Veteran’s Affairs Hospital participated in the ceremony. Songs played by the United States Navy Band Southeast from Jacksonville followed the flag-raising, commencing the Florida Folk Festival’s Saturday musical line-up.

“From this moment on, millions of state park visitors will see that the state of Florida remembers and recognizes those men and women that have been held as prisoners of war,” said Rolling Thunder, Inc. state representative Ray Thompson. “They will also recognize that we have not now, nor will ever forget those brave men and women that have answered their country’s calling.”

The Florida Folk Festival was moved to Veterans’ Day weekend from Memorial Day weekend this year due to wildfires in the area. Today’s ceremony begins the daily raising of the POW-MIA flag at state parks. In addition to the national and state flag, the POW-MIA flag will be flown from opening to sunset.

“I salute Rolling Thunder and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for taking this step to honor our veterans,” said Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Communications Director Steve Murray. “With POW/MIA flags now flying in our state parks, interstate highway rest stops and over the State Capitol, Florida is at the forefront of honoring our POWs and MIAs.”

The Florida Folk Festival has remained one of the Sunshine State’s largest and most popular heritage events because of the wide variety of entertainment and activities available at the three- day festival. Historically, performers have included national recording artists, award winning song-writers, and musicians from the areas of swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and Zydeco.

Located on the banks of the Suwannee River, the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs, as well as a 97-bell carillon tower playing concerts several times daily.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 161 parks spanning more than 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.

For more information about Florida’s award-winning state parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet presented a resolution recognizing November 15, 2007, as America Recycles Day on Wednesday. The day encourages citizens to pledge to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials.

“Florida’s aggressive recycling program – one of the first in the nation to set specific goals – conserves landfill space, conserves our natural resources and conserves energy,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “America Recycles Day reminds us all to be good environmental stewards of our nation’s limited resources.”

DEP has implemented several community outreach efforts to encourage recycling including awarding grants and providing technical assistance to local governments and non-profits. This aided in the increased number of tons of materials recycled each year. In 2005, 9.2 million tons were kept out of Florida’s landfills.

This year’s campaign features the theme, It All Comes Back to You. The theme reminds citizens that a recycled product or material can return to consumers as another new product.

As part of America Recycles Day, the DEP, Recycle Florida Today and Creative Recycling Systems, Inc., is holding the fourth annual Florida (K-12) Schools Recycling Pledge Card Contest. The contest rewards one class from an elementary, middle and high school that submits the most recycling pledge cards. By completing recycling pledge cards, individuals promise to do more to protect the environment through recycling efforts and help their class win a refurbished computer.

The class with the most number of pledges at their level will receive a gently used desktop computer including monitor courtesy of Creative Recycling Systems, Inc, which serves the southeastern United States. The class with the most pledge cards submitted will also receive a pizza party courtesy of Recycle Florida Today. In addition, each individual who fills out a pledge card will be entered into a statewide drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate donated by Recycle Florida Today. The deadline for submitting pledges is November 30, 2007.

In 2006, more than 8,300 elementary, middle and high school students and more than 12,000 Floridians took the pledge to recycle and buy more recycled products. This year, DEP is challenging Floridians to double this amount.

For more information, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/AR/2007/ar07.htm.

PACE – The Department recently awarded a $16.6 million low interest loan to Pace Property Finance Authority, Inc. and a $14.2 million low interest loan to the City of Palm Coast. The loans, part of DEP’s State Revolving Fund Program created by the Florida Legislature, will be used to improve and expand the Pace wastewater systems and use the increased capacity for future public access reuse, and will allow the City to reuse virtually all of its treated wastewater for public access areas and residential irrigation.

“Reuse is a key part of meeting Florida’s future water needs. We as a state reuse 660 million gallons of reclaimed water each day to conserve freshwater supplies, but we have more work to do and we can’t do it without our local partners,” said DEP Division of Water Resource Management Director Janet Llewellyn. “The Legislature has recognized that efficient water management, including reuse, helps preserve our natural ecosystems and ensure sustainable local water supplies. The State Revolving Fund Loan Program allows these partnerships to happen. ”

DEP established the State Revolving Fund to provide low interest financing to plan, design and build wastewater and stormwater systems. Funds can be used for wastewater, stormwater, reuse, estuary protection and other water quality improvement projects. Funded by federal capitalization grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings, State Revolving Fund loans are generally offered at interest rates substantially below current market rates and are targeted to help make loans affordable. Repayments from earlier loans are used to make new loans, allowing the program to operate in perpetuity.

Since 1999, Florida has invested more than $3.1 billion to upgrade and improve water and wastewater facilities and clean up stormwater pollution, funding about 1,800 projects statewide. Since 1999, the State Revolving Fund Programs have committed more than $1.9 billion, including more than $315 million last year, to plan, design and build wastewater facilities across the state.

For more information on the State Revolving Fund and other financial assistance, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wff/index.htm.

JACKSONVILLE - The Department welcomed the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront to the Florida Green Lodging Program last week. The hotel is the third designated in Duval County and 53rd for the state. The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with technical assistance and encourages hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

“The Hyatt is raising the bar for the lodging industry,” said DEP Northeast District Assistant Director Bill Green. “A facility of this size committing to reducing water use, conserving energy, improving air quality and decreasing solid waste, is a testament to the state’s efforts to protect, restore and conserve Florida’s environment.”

To be designated a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must follow certain green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures and a linen reuse program and energy efficiency is achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and use high efficiency air filters and clean air handler units frequently.

"Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is proud to join in the local effort towards protecting the abundant natural resources that surround Jacksonville, and with that, adding to the nationwide movement concerning the preservation of the environment," said hotel General Manager Dan King.

On July 13, at his Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation starting January 1, 2008, whenever possible. The Summit was a bold first step to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place our state at the forefront of the growing worldwide movement to reduce greenhouse gases.

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, Florida is recommending designated members of the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, the program has designated 53 hotels and has more than 190 applicants.

For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

JENSEN BEACH - The Department, along with the Clean Boating Partnership, designated Four Fish Inn and Marina as a Florida Clean Marina and Clean Boatyard last Friday. Four Fish Inn and Marina is the eighth Clean Marina and fourth Clean Boatyard in Martin County.

“DEP is proud to add Four Fish Inn and Marina to our growing family of Clean Marinas and Clean Boatyards,” said DEP Southeast District Director Jack Long. “Four Fish Inn and Marina has taken the initiative to reduce waste, prevent pollution and protect Florida’s vital marine resources.”

The Four Fish Inn and Marina in Jensen Beach provides first class service and support coupled with environmental management plans aimed at protecting the state’s valuable marine resources. Four Fish Inn and Marina has developed emergency spill plans, employee training programs and chemical management procedures which help prevent damage to the environment.

“We are thrilled to receive the Clean Boatyard and Clean Marina designation,” said Brad St. Coeur, Four Fish Marina Operations Manager. “The environment drives our business, and we will continue to do our part to protect our valuable natural resources.”

The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP administers, to protect Florida’s waterways. To date, the Clean Marina program has recognized 153 Clean Marinas, 28 Clean Boatyards and four Clean Marine Retailers.

“The Clean Boating Partnership congratulates Four Fish Inn and Marina for their commitment to Florida’s environment,” said the Partnership’s Chair John Naybor. “Their dedication and hard work in becoming a Clean Boatyard and a Clean Marina is an accomplishment this facility can be proud of and we welcome them to our growing Clean Boatyard and Clean Marina family.”

The Clean Boating Partnership includes DEP, marina and boatyard owners and operators, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. By providing “green” education and alternatives, the Clean Boating Partnership helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and the billion dollar marine industry.

For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.