If you are a member of a news or media organization and need assistance, please contact DEP's Press Office at 850-245-2112 or DEPnews@FloridaDEP.gov.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to protecting Florida’s water resources and ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of water for our residents and visitors.
In Florida, DEP has been granted authority by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Florida has adopted EPA regulations and rules to implement this program. These regulations set legal limits for contaminants in drinking water and testing schedules and methods that water systems must follow.
The Florida scrub-jay is a loyal and social Florida native.
It’s the state’s only endemic bird, which means the Florida scrub-jay is found nowhere else, and its need for a specific habitat is one reason why scrub-jay numbers are declining. The only bird species that requires a sandy, scrubby habitat to survive is the Florida scrub-jay.
Invasive non-native plants threaten Florida’s natural areas because they are fast-moving, adaptable, aggressive and resist efforts to eliminate or control them.
The plants spread quickly, unchecked by the bugs, disease and other limiting factors they face in their native lands.
Invasive non-natives can choke out native plants and reduce natural biodiversity. Native animals – which rarely forage on non-native plants – may leave the area or die out.
Interested in subscribing to DEP newsletters or receiving DEP updates through email?
Sign UpThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.
Learn More