My internship with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) began in May 2024. I am currently working with the Petroleum, Air, Sustainability and Energy (PASE) section and am starting my final semester at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). From the start of my internship, I was able to assist in research and data collection regarding the Orange County fertilizer ordinance. In addition to my work as a PASE intern, I had the opportunity to job shadow, participate in a tour at the Orange County Landfill and attend County meetings. During my time job shadowing with the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring team, I enjoyed observing as different pollutants were measured from the air and was able to see how these monitoring machines that measure pollutants are fixed. It was incredibly informative and intriguing to work with the team and watch as they investigate the varying levels of pollutants in the surrounding outdoor air. For example, a spike in carbon monoxide could simply be from a lawn mower left near the monitoring site or from a far more serious matter that warrants an investigation. In addition, I was able to learn a tremendous amount about solid waste management during my visit to the Orange County Landfill. During our tour we saw numerous drop off locations for various materials, stood at the top of a closed portion of the landfill and drove to the workface of the currently active landfill. This was an especially neat experience as I have always been curious about the innerworkings of a landfill. Overall, I am overjoyed with the mountain of exposure I gained from this internship with EPD. There were plenty of opportunities for me to learn and immerse myself in operations I had never seen before. I am delighted to continue my student internship with the EPD until my graduation from UCF this December.

The Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) encourages and invites residents to recognize Pollution Prevention (P2) Week September 16 - 21. EPD welcomes employees and residents alike to join us as we share some inspiration that will lead to practices that reduce, eliminate or prevent pollution at its source. Join EPD on September 18, for a trash pick-up at Sandhill Preserve, a Green PLACE property in Apopka, Florida. Want to practice P2 at home? Request a recipe to make your own Safer Choice™ household cleaner and/or a list of P2-themed videos and TED talks. To learn more about these P2 activities or to RSVP for the cleanup, email P2@ocfl.net.

Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) encourages you to Fix It! Don't Pitch It by attending our upcoming community workshop. This event gives residents the opportunity to have broken items repaired by handy volunteers for free. Save money and the environment by fixing items around your home instead of sending them to the landfill. If you are interested in volunteering as a fixer at the event, we'd love to hear from you!

Orange County Fix It! Don't Pitch It

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex

99 E. Marks St.

Orlando, FL 32803

Event hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will host a virtual Meet & Greet on Thursday, November 7, at 9 a.m. This networking event is for those interested in volunteering as interns for the spring semester. At the Meet & Greet, EPD staff will conduct brief interviews with candidates and describe various internship opportunities. Current internship application and enrollment in school is required. Candidates must RSVP to participate.

If you’re concerned about noise, you are not alone. Recently, several Orange County residents expressed concerns about the County’s current Noise Pollution Control Ordinance including existing noise standards and enforcement response. As a result, the Environmental Protection Division is looking for ways to improve the ordinance, and we want to hear from you. 

We put everything you need to become an informed participant on our webpage. You can share ideas, find upcoming meetings, review the current code, access policy studies, read stakeholder comments and more.

Join us in shaping a more harmonious community. Visit our webpage today and be part of the conversation. 

Would you like to learn more about the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD)? EPD is excited to share a variety of information about events, sustainability, the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, regulatory updates, lake management, water quality and more! If you would like to be included on the email list, please fill out this brief sign-up form.