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TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) is encouraging residents to make
‘green’ resolutions for the New Year.
“With more than 16 million residents, Florida’s
citizens play an important role in protecting our
environment,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
“Ecologically-friendly practices within homes, offices
and neighborhoods contribute to state efforts to
protect, restore and conserve Florida’s natural
resources.”
To help you get started, here are ten simple
resolutions that will make 2007 cleaner and ‘greener’:
- Plant native vegetation - Florida has almost 400
indigenous plant species. Reduce exotic encroachment,
improve wildlife habitats and reduce landscaping efforts
by planting native Florida vegetation. For more
information, visit www.floridayards.org.
- Reduce stormwater runoff - To protect Florida’s
waterways from pollutants, limit fertilizer use,
practice safe chemical storage and properly dispose of
all substances. For more information, visit
www.cleanup.org.
- Protect Florida’s air quality - Maintaining air
conditioning systems, heat units and vehicles is an
integral part of keeping Florida one of three states
east of the Mississippi River that currently meets all
National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Visit
www.floridadep.org/air/ for more information.
- Visit environmentally-friendly businesses – Florida has
20 certified Green Lodges and hundreds of certified
Clean Marinas, Clean Retailers, Clean Boaters and
Clean
Boatyards. These facilities protect the state's
environment by using and promoting ‘green’ practices.
Visit www.floridagreenlodging.org and
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/law/grants/cmp
for more information and a list of facilities.
- Install water and energy-efficient appliances – By
implementing low-flow shower heads, one household saves
more than 40,000 gallons of water a year, and energy
efficient washing machines save homeowners more than
$100 a year. Installing efficient appliances reduces
costs and conserves Florida’s natural resources. Visit
www.floridaenergyoffice.org or
www.energystar.gov for
more information.
- Reduce waste – Recycle items such as paper, plastic,
glass, aluminum, computers, cell phones, toner and
printer cartridges, and holiday trees to reduce waste in
Florida’s landfills. Visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/
for more information.
- Be an environmental steward at work – Encourage
co-workers to protect Florida’s environment. Through
recycling programs, energy-efficient and water saving
appliances, and carpooling.
- Clean up Florida’s natural resources – DEP’s state
parks, aquatic preserves and research reserves hold
coastal and environmental clean-ups to remove debris
from Florida’s recreational resources. To volunteer,
visit www.floridastateparks.org or
www.aquaticpreserves.org.
- Enjoy Florida’s pristine environment – Participate in
resource-based recreation, learn about the state’s
natural resources or enjoy undisturbed settings at one
of Florida’s beaches, state parks, springs, greenways,
trails, aquatic preserves or research reserves. Visit
www.floridadep.org for locations and information.
- Get involved – Florida’s natural resources belong to its
residents. Voice your questions, comments and
suggestions regarding the state’s environment by
contacting
citizensservices@dep.state.fl.us.
DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille and the DEP staff
wish Florida citizens a safe and happy New Year. |
"With more than 16 million residents,
Florida’s citizens play an important role in protecting
our environment."
~ Colleen M. Castille
Secretary
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