Public Trust Law

City of Atlantic Beach (COAB) Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) is hosting an Earth Day Festival with extra vendors in partnership with AB Farmer’s Market this Sunday, April 21st along with another 150 free tree giveaway (75 7-gallon live oaks and 75 7-gallon southern red cedar) from 10am-12pm ET.
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Reserve Your Free Tree -- As an AB resident, you are eligible for free tree if you want one. Complete this quick form before 4/21 to reserve your preferred tree in advance (http://tiny.cc/AB2024EarthDay). You can also walk up but remember supplies are limited.
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Please make sure you come to Jack Russell Park this Sunday, April 21, 2024 between 10:00am - 11:30am to get your reserved tree. You MUST be present to get your tree (rain or shine). We do not have the capacity to any deliver trees. PLEASE NOTE: At 11:30am, we will start giving away reserved trees. Our goal is to have all trees given to new homes by 12pm. The trees were purchased using the tree mitigation fund. These funds come from property owners or contractors who paid into this fund because they removed a tree(s) and could not replant all of the required tree(s) on their property. There will be a “drive through” to pick up your tree easily and quickly as well as trees by the ESC booth in the market. The 7-gallon tree can easily fit in your car.
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Adopt A Tree for Fall -- We also have the adopt-a-tree program available. The city will plant a tree in your front yard at no cost. We are currently taking applications for the fall planting. For more information and the applicant see the link below: https://coab.us/DocumentCenter/View/13480/31-Adopt-A-Tree-Application?bidId=

We are pleased to share that we received the following positive press after our legislation to protect Florida's drinking water from "forever chemical" unanimously passed the first committee in the Senate last week! To read more about these bills and hear from our Executive Director John November, check out this article below!

Lawmakers advance bills to block, remove harmful chemicals from drinking water The two bills may soon become one.

Public Trust Spearheads Biosolids Grant Legislation

On Thursday May 4th, 2023, the Florida Senate unanimously passed HB 1405 establishing a grant program to incentivize sustainable treatment methods for biosolids. This legislation, spearheaded by the Public Trust, will be a catalyst for our ongoing campaign to protect Florida’s imperiled waters.
By passing this legislation our elected officials have acknowledged that Florida must do a better job of treating, using, and disposing of biosolids (sewage sludge). The establishment of this grant program provides a mechanism for the state to fund innovative local projects to convert this waste stream into beneficial products. This grant program is an important step forward in strengthening the way Florida deals with our sewage sludge and we encourage Governor DeSantis to sign this critical legislation.

When Senator Brodeur and Representative Tuck introduced this legislation, it contained targeted protections from biosolids pollution for the St. Johns River and other impaired waterways. These water quality protections made it through two committees in both the House and the Senate without any public opposition. Unfortunately, these targeted protections did not make it into the final bill. This is especially disappointing because in June 2022, the SJRWMD published a peer-reviewed study that provides powerful evidence that biosolids have been the cause of substantial increases in harmful phosphorus concentration within the waters of the St. Johns River. This nutrient imbalance caused by biosolids is likely to result in another summer filled with harmful algal blooms in our St. Johns River.

But, we aren’t done yet. Prior to the next legislative session in 2024, the Public Trust will be gathering support and building consensus to pass these critical water quality protections. We will also be advocating for a substantial appropriation for the newly established biosolids grant program, additional common-sense requirements for biosolids treatment at municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and a reduction in the amount of contaminants of emerging concern (PFAS) entering our waste stream. The Public Trust seeks to create real, long-term change in the way Florida cleans up our polluted waters. We are appreciative of the coalition of organizations, including the St. Johns Riverkeeper and 1000 Friends of Florida, who joined together to fight for this legislation to protect Florida’s waters from this continuing threat.

Link to more on legislation here: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/610225-bill-movement-biosolid-improvement-legislation-passes/

In Response to Lawsuit, EPA Announces Timeline for First Revisions to Slaughterhouse Water Pollution Standards in Nearly Twenty Years In a victory for clean water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its intent to publish updated water pollution control standards for slaughterhouses and animal rendering facilities by August 2025, following a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late....

Appeals court says state must do more to clean Florida’s polluted springs "This allows us to hold polluters accountable," Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council said after Wednesday's ruling.

Rainy days = stormwater collection! 👩‍🔬🧪As stormwater moves across industrials sites, it can pick up harmful pollutants and push them into our storm drains and waterways. These pollutants can adversely effect human health, plants and animals in our waterways. During rain events we sample the stormwater leaving these facilities and use the data collected to help make recommendations for improved onsite practices and measures that can reduce the amount of harmful contaminates from running off and entering our waterways!

partnered with local photographer .in.abf to create these custom card sets featuring some stunning views of NE Florida! We’re hard at work trying to protect our special places and natural resources for future generations.

Big thank you to Tom Schifanella for capturing and sharing such beauty!

The most wonderful time of the year. 🎁Giving Tuesday is TODAY!!! Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.
is a movement to invigorate people to transform their communities through supporting charitable organizations. On in 2021, over $2.7 BILLION dollars were donated to non-profits in the United States. That’s up almost $4 million from 2020! As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we rely greatly on donations and support from our community! This year, on Giving Tuesday (November 29th), we ask you to consider supporting Public Trust and our mission to protect the water, lands, wildlife and natural resources of Northeast Florida.

So go show your support this and help us continue our mission!

Step 1) Go to www.publictrustlaw.org/donate
Step 2) Make a tax-deductible donation and put in the description box
Step 3) Feel good about the part you play in helping us protect our waters, lands, wildlife and natural resources from the many emerging threats.

Thank you and Happy Holiday season!

Let’s take a second to soak in some of the environmental wins from the last ballot.
Ballot measures that PASSED:
✅ POLK FOREVER
Restarts a small property tax to generate revenue for purchasing and preserving lands for conservation
✅PROTECT NASSAU NOW OR NEVER
Authorize a $30 million bond to establish a new county land conservation program to acquire lands that improve water quality and protect drinking water sources
✅WILD SPACES & PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
Renews Alachua County’s Wild Spaces & Public Places program
✅ENVIRONMENTALLY ENDANGERED LANDS
Authorizes up to $50 million in bonds to extend the Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands program
✅INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FOREVER
Authorizes $50 million bond to continue the county’s highly successful conservation land acquisition program

“Voters in Polk, Brevard, Indian River, Alachua, Pasco and Nassau counties turned out during a surprise November hurricane to cast a vote for wild Florida. These counties join Collier, Volusia and Manatee in passing recent measures that support natural resource protection.” Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida states in a recent publication that “Floridians don’t always agree, but we do find common ground in the land and water we share. It’s a great love of place. It’s part of our ethos, our Floridian ethic, our heritage and our legacy.”

Come join us TONIGHT!!

River Rising: Brewing Up Solutions Wednesday, October 19 from 6-8 p.m. | Tabula Rasa Brewing

Our Executive Director John November will be talking with the St. Johns Riverkeeper's Lisa Rinaman about the importance of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and how it can be used to help protect and clean up the St. Johns River. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation, we will discuss what has been accomplished since the CWA was enacted and what still must be done to fulfill its goal that all waters of the United States are “fishable” and “swimmable.”

Click the Link Below to Register
https://stjohnsriverkeeper.salsalabs.org/2022-10-river-rising-public-trust/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2535c2eb-9962-4004-9c97-76a3b8a3df2d

The dumping of sewage sludge on land along the St. Johns River is causing destructive effects on wildlife, the natural environment, and the many people in our communities who depend on the river. Sewage sludge is the semi-solid pollutant left over when utility companies separate water from comingled human and industrial waste. This sludge not only supplies free fertilizer but also can contain heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and “forever chemicals”, such as PFAS that have ruined farmers’ livelihoods, poisoned water supplies, contaminated food, and are linked to health problems including cancer. In 2019 the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Public Trust formed a strategic partnership for this campaign. In advance of the 2023 legislative session, we will spearhead a coalition of concerned citizens and elected officials to advocate for legislation to ban the dumping of sewage sludge along the St. Johns River - just as it has been banned in South Florida since 2013. This is an uphill battle, but we must persevere and we must succeed. The future of our river and our natural environment depends on it. Our nonprofits cannot do this alone. Your financial support will underwrite the science, the professionally developed marketing materials, the extensive advocacy costs involved with getting legislation passed in Tallahassee, as well as the legal work that fuels this crucial conservation initiative. Donate today! https://www.publictrustlaw.org/donate/

River Rising: Brewing Up Solutions Wednesday, October 19 from 6-8 p.m. | Tabula Rasa Brewing

Our Executive Director John November will be talking with the St. Johns Riverkeeper's Lisa Rinaman about the importance of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and how it can be used to help protect and clean up the St. Johns River. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation, we will discuss what has been accomplished since the CWA was enacted and what still must be done to fulfill its goal that all waters of the United States are “fishable” and “swimmable.”

Click the Link Below to Register
https://stjohnsriverkeeper.salsalabs.org/2022-10-river-rising-public-trust/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2535c2eb-9962-4004-9c97-76a3b8a3df2d

Public Trust for Conservation has partnered with New Town Success Zone and to revitalize Success Park and New Town Urban Farmacy. A public input meeting will be held tomorrow to the discuss the conceptual plan with the community! This project is the first of many park revitalization projects to come under our new REVIVE initiative. Stay tuned!

"Pharmaceuticals are an invisible threat, unlike algal blooms or turbid waters. Yet these results tell us that they are a formidable threat to our fisheries, and highlight the pressing need to address our longstanding wastewater infrastructure issues."
Link in bio.

"Pharmaceuticals are an invisible threat, unlike algal blooms or turbid waters. Yet these results tell us that they are a formidable threat to our fisheries, and highlight the pressing need to address our longstanding wastewater infrastructure issues."

Fish off the coast of Florida test positive for pharmaceutical drugs, says study Bonefish off the coast of Florida have tested positive for a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs, including anti-depressants and blood pressure medications, according to a new study.

Local wildlife! Local story!

[Words shared from Atlantic Beach resident Bill Dias, images by wildlife photographer Sean Traynor.]

“Last year JEA replaced a damaged pole at the corner of 10th street and Seminole Road in Atlantic Beach. The pole was compromised because a pileated woodpecker hollowed out his "inside" penthouse in the top of the wooden pole just below the main transmission lines.

Thanks to JEA's utility pole team, they put in a replacement pole, bolted the woodpeckers home to the new pole and cut off the old pole.

As a result we have two new "resident uptown" neighbors getting ready to fly out soon.”

Another big thank you to utility pole team for the attention and care to this.

About this species:
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found throughout most of North America. As a non-migratory insectivore, this species may provide an important role in controlling insect outbreaks, particularly those of tree beetles. Some scientists consider the woodpecker a keystone species because their nesting excavations provide habitat for many other species. They are known for roosting in hollow trees (and utility poles!) The pileated’s population declined greatly in 18th and 19th centuries with the clearing of forest and urbanization. The species have gradually made a comeback with forest resurgence, the protection of laws such as the US Migratory Bird Act, and adaptations like…hollowing out utility poles!

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/18/a-lake-in-florida-suing-to-protect-itself

A Lake in Florida Suing to Protect Itself Lake Mary Jane, in central Florida, could be harmed by development. A first-of-its-kind lawsuit asks whether nature should have legal rights.

FL Legislature: Bending over backwards to allow even more pollution into the public’s waters - Florida Phoenix You have no idea how negligent Florida leaders are in protecting the state’s water quality.

Mark Woods: Remembering what the 'Dutton Island Five' accomplished in Atlantic Beach Created 20 years ago in Atlantic Beach by the "Dutton Island Five," the Dutton Island Preserve is a public park that just keeps growing in value.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/03/03/building-gas-station-where-it-could-pollute-this-florida-spring-would-be-fuel-ish/

Building gas station where it could pollute this Florida spring would be fuel-ish - Florida Phoenix Russian troops invaded Ukraine last week — you probably heard about that. An international panel of scientists said climate change is worse than we thought, and their prime example is Florida. Meanwhile, our fine Legislature has been too focused on the “culture wars” to fix what’s really wro...

This is a great explanation by FAO on some of the many benefits of urban trees! Did you know that in the City of Jacksonville you can call 630- CITY and request a tree for your front yard? In Atlantic Beach, through their Adopt-a-Tree program, you can also request a tree to be planted in your front yard! Whether you buy your own through a local nursery or go through one of the city’s free tree programs, you can learn more about proper tree care information visit www.treesaregood.org.

Jacksonville University, JAXPORT launch educational initiative focused on the St. Johns River Jacksonville University and the Jacksonville Port Authority are collaborating on a new initiative called Connected aimed at teaching the public how essential the St. Johns River is to both the environment and the local economy.

Check out this great feedback we received about our paddling guides! Every year we distribute hundreds of free paddling guides each year to promote stewardship of our local waterways. Order or download yours today!

Our organization has been working hard on researching and providing the scientific data surrounding the negative environmental impact of “sewage sludge”. Sewage sludge, also known as biosolids, is a solid byproduct of human waste, and anything else that goes down the drains, that is sent to wastewater treatment plants. Farmers use this byproduct as a form of fertilizer that they apply across their crop fields. This sludge contains metals, PFAS compounds, and human waste that can seep into groundwater and can run off into nearby surface water. States like Maine have begun to find these chemicals in resident deer meat and certain areas have even issued a do not eat advisory for deer harvested near these farms. So how does this affect us? On average, approximately 70,000 TONS of these biosolids are applied yearly to farms and land within in the St. Johns River basin. In 2019, 78% of statewide applications of biosolids were applied within in the St. Johns River basin and 90% of those biosolids came from outside the basin. Check out this news story on the issue and stay tuned to learn more about what the Public Trust for Conservation is doing on this issue in the St. Johns River.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-emKd9gkDQU

'Do not eat' advisory issued for deer harvested near Fairfield The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife warned about higher levels of PFAS.

Thank you to our hosts, sponsors and the Florida Yacht Club for a great event last night and joining us in curing NE Florida’s waterway blues!

Giving Tuesday is TOMORROW!!! Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.
is a movement to invigorate people to transform their communities through supporting charitable organizations. On in 2020, over $2.47 BILLION dollars were donated to non-profits in the United States. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we rely greatly on donations and support from our community! This year, on Giving Tuesday (November 30th), we ask you to consider supporting Public Trust and our mission to protect the water, lands, wildlife and natural resources of Northeast Florida.

So go show your support this and help us continue our mission!

Step 1) Go to www.publictrustlaw.org/donate
Step 2) Make a tax-deductible donation and put in the description box
Step 3) Feel good about the part you play in helping us protect our waters, lands, wildlife and natural resources from the many emerging threats.

Thank you and Happy Holiday season!

On Tuesday The Public Trust conducted our official ribbon cutting at the newly constructed pergola entitled “Bennett’s Wave”. This pergola honors the conservation acquisition of Bennett's Landing and the several members and families of our community who made this special place possible.
Constructed by:

Why are salt marshes so important? Salt marshes support a rich diversity of wildlife, critical environment for breeding and nesting birds, nursery areas for many fish species, reduce erosion, absorb excess nutrients from pollutants, and act as a buffer zone for protecting communities from flooding. Historically, these critical environments have been misunderstood as a mosquito breeding, useless wasteland and have been drained and filled. Coastal development has greatly impacted Florida’s salt marshes, and the negative anthropogenic pollution that comes with it. Preserving marshes around Florida is critical for our future. Although positive efforts have been made to preserve these habitats, there is much more work to do.

Wood Stork Wednesday! Here are some facts about this beautiful species. Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) are the only stork that breeds in North America . Often found in Cypress swamps, and feeding in marshes and tidal creeks. These large birds stand almost 4 feet tall and have a 60 inch wingspan! Degradation of wetlands, changes in hydrological connectivity and flow patterns, and decreasing habitat due to development threaten the survival of these species. Currently, the Wood Stork is a federally designated threatened species with about 8,000 nesting pairs left in the wild. The Public Trust works to protect this critical habitat that these, and many other vital species, depend on!