Although many of the functions of the EPB are regulatory in nature, the EPB is also charged with educating citizens regarding environmental matters. The purpose of this page is to highlight areas and items of interest to citizens and to serve as point of information.
The EPB conducts a public outreach program that includes sponsoring environmental conferences as well as being very involved in local Earth Day activities and other environmental events annually. The EPB also sponsors two free environmental education days at the Museum of Science and History; sponsors a county-wide Earth Day Poster Contest for all school children in Duval County; makes presentations to school groups from pre-k through college students and to all types of community organizations and conducts teacher training workshops in the areas of air quality and nonpoint source pollution prevention utilizing environmental curricula from the Air & Waste Management Association.
If you are interested in a presentation to your school or organization, contact EPB Administrator James Richardson at (904) 255-7213 or via email at
jrichard@coj.net.
EPB Sponsored Reports
Annual State of the River Report - The JEPB provides funding for
The State of the Lower St. Johns River Basin Report (LSJRB) and a single-page Brochure that explains the current health of the LSJRB. The Report is a scientific review of the basin’s health that is understandable and interesting to the general public. The Report is written by a team of academic researchers from Jacksonville University (JU), the University of North Florida (UNF), Florida Southern College, and West Chester University (WCU).
Mercury in the Duval County Environment - The JEPB funded a report to evaluate mercury in the Duval County environment including its atmosphere, surface waters, sediments and organisms. The study was led by Dr. Lucinda Sonnenberg through the Millar Wilson Chemistry Lab housed at Jacksonville University.
Final Report (Sept 2021) Supplemental Information to Final Report
Tree Canopy Study - The JEPB provided funding for an accurate and comprehensive survey to assess the current status of the City of Jacksonville’s tree canopy because of how critical it is to the long-term environmental health of our community. The Public Trust Environmental Legal institute of Florida managed the study which included data gathering, canopy analysis, GIS mapping, a summary final report, and educational programming.
Final Report
EPB Sponsored and Supported Activities
Other Annual Events
Water Festival - The JEPB, in partnership with the St. Johns Riverkeeper, annually hosts a water education festval on the first weekend in February. This event provides attendees with information about our water resources and how we can protect and preserve them. The museum is free to the public and there are plenty of exhibits and presentations. Along with indoor activities, one of the more popular features of the festival are the free guided boat tours of the St. Johns River.
Envirofest - This is a free family-friendly event focused on celebrating the connections between the arts and the world around us through an interactive museum. While exploring the Museum’s campus, guests will enjoy live music from local musicians, interactive booths and projects from environmentally conscious vendors and the opportunity to watch artists in action as they paint beautiful images using inspiration from the picturesque Cummer Gardens and St. Johns River. Participants usually include: the Cummer Museum’s Education Department, Environmental Protection Board, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods, Friends of Northeast Florida Community Gardens, Fun 4 First Coast Kids, GastroJax, MOSH, St. Johns Riverkeeper and others. The event is traditionally held the first weekend in October.