FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2017

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP South District Presents
Environmental Stewardship Awards

~District recognizes young environmental stewards~

Trail Blazers 4-H Club presented awards for bettering the environment for future generations. 

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's South District recently presented environmental stewardship awards to the members of the Lee County Trail Blazers 4-H Club for their "Adopt-a-Mangrove" project and participation in community restoration and shoreline cleanup projects. 

"The department commends the Trail Blazers for their commitment to protecting and promoting awareness of Florida's natural resources and encouraging positive community involvement," said Jon Iglehart, DEP South District director. 

The Adopt-a-Mangrove project, which started in 2011, helps promote shoreline protection and encourage mangrove restoration through community involvement. The Trail Blazers' enthusiasm, leadership and initiative serves as inspiration for other youth in the community.

The Trail Blazers have also been involved in community projects such as beach, mangrove and shoreline cleanups and Keep Lee County Beautiful's Monofilament Madness events, and have demonstrated their leadership skills by taking part in a Mock Legislature and 4-H Day at the Florida Capitol.

Attending the award ceremony was Brenda G. Rodgers, director, Agent IV, UF/IFAS Extension, South Central District; Roy Beckford, Ph.D. Lee County Extension director, Ag and Natural Resources Agent III; Cathy Olson, Lee County Conservation Lands manager; Mickey Miller, supervisor, Lee County Parks & Recreation/Conservation 20/20 program; Amy Turner, director, 4-H Trail Blazers, Trish Fancher, Keep Lee County Beautiful and many proud parents.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves.

Visit the department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1a2eb68