The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has outlined its key environmental achievements for 2025, emphasizing the connection between natural resource protection and the state’s economic well-being. Secretary Alexis A. Lambert stated, “Florida’s environment is not separate from our economy; it is the foundation of it. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has made strategic, forward-thinking investments that protect our air, water and land while ensuring Florida remains a place where both communities and commerce can thrive. I look forward to working with the Governor and the Florida Legislature in the coming year to continue turning Florida’s environmental commitments into measurable results.”
Among this year’s major accomplishments is a new agreement between Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army that gives the state control over constructing significant elements of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This agreement also brings forward completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir by five years, now scheduled for 2029 instead of 2034.
Other milestones include finishing construction on several projects designed to improve water flow and quality in South Florida: completion of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir, groundbreaking for Blue Shanty Flow Way to deliver clean water across Tamiami Trail into Florida Bay, work on Lake Hicpochee Project to reduce harmful discharges into Caloosahatchee Estuary, and operation of a major inflow pump station at Lake Okeechobee.
DEP has also completed extensive seafloor mapping along Florida’s coastlines using $100 million allocated in 2021. The project will result in a statewide high-resolution digital elevation model intended to guide coastal management decisions as well as emergency response efforts.
In terms of water quality improvement, DEP updated 28 nutrient Basin Management Action Plans developed with input from local governments and other stakeholders. These plans establish pollution-reduction goals for rivers, lakes, estuaries, springs, and aquifers throughout Florida.
Land conservation was another area of focus in 2025 as DEP marked the 25th anniversary of its flagship program—Florida Forever—by securing its 200th conservation easement. Since 2019, more than $1.4 billion has been invested through this program to protect over 390,000 acres; nearly 107,000 acres were added this year alone via acquisitions or easements totaling almost $433 million.
Florida State Parks attracted over 25 million visitors in 2025 and continued expansion efforts using land acquired through conservation programs. Two parks—Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City—were named among America’s top ten beaches this year.
On air quality issues, DEP reported that Florida met all National Ambient Air Quality Standards for a fifth consecutive year—the only highly populated state with such a record—and expects compliance with new federal particulate matter standards based on current monitoring data.
To address future drinking water needs amid population growth, DEP finalized rules allowing advanced treated potable reuse as an additional source for public systems while maintaining strict safety standards.
Enforcement actions by DEP’s Environmental Crimes Unit resulted in dozens of arrests related to illegal dumping or hazardous operations impacting wetlands or groundwater resources.
Efforts were also made toward removing PFAS contamination at fire training facilities at Hillsborough Community College and Palm Beach State College.
Lastly, changes made by DEP expanded funding eligibility under its Petroleum Restoration Program so that more contaminated sites can receive rehabilitation support; currently more than two-thirds of eligible sites have reached closure after cleanup activities.
