About the JEPB Awards Program
The Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) established an awards program in 1975 to honor outstanding environmental accomplishments, in several categories, above the actions required by law. Over the years individuals or organizations have been chosen for the Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award because of their innovation, commitment and expertise. The awards program also recognizes individuals who have long term commitment to the protection and preservation of the environment with two special awards – the Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award and the Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award. In 2013 the JEPB began a partnership with Duval County Public Schools to celebrate and recognize leaders in the DCPS Green Champions Program. A joint award is given along with a stipend for use at the school of the chosen recipient of the award.
JEPB Awards for Outstanding Environmental Achievement
The EPB Environmental Achievement Awards recognize individuals and organizations in Duval County for superior, creative and innovative efforts in the following categories:
- Individual
- Government / Institutional (public sector or educational institution)
- Community / Civic (nonprofits, social or civic groups, neighborhood assoc., etc.)
- Business (more than 50 employees and/or annual sales of more than $5 million)
- Small Business (fewer than 50 employees and/or annual sales of $5 million or less)
As population continues to increase and resources continue to be consumed, innovation will be the foothold to environmental sustainability. Over the years, previous winners of the awards have created many innovative solutions to what were previously pollution problems.
Some past accomplishments include:
- Turning a sewage treatment facility property into a bird sanctuary
- Taking waste water and, through land application, producing sod for commercial sale while diverting over a million gallons of waste water from the municipal sewage treatment plant nearby
- Establishing a unique way of educating young students regarding water conservation by initiating a play which grew to reach all the public elementary schools in Jacksonville
- Taking steps to control beach erosion through the recycling of Christmas trees
- Individuals taking note of their surroundings to report suspicious environmental activities which resulted in the arrest of an individual for illegal dumping of pesticides
- planting trees at DCPS schools and a major reforestation project where 6,000+ trees have been planted at the Cecil Commerce Center
Environmental Awards Luncheon
The Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board partners with the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission and the UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE) annually to recognize each of our award winners.
This year's Environmental Awards Luncheon will take place on Thursday, November 19, 2026, 11 am - 1 pm at the Adam W. Herbert University Center on the campus of UNF.
Tickets are $30 for individuals and $175 for a table of eight.
Purchase tickets here
Winners of the 2026 JEPB Awards
Government/Institutional
UNF Botanical Gardens - for exemplifying environmental stewardship through water quality initiatives, habitat restoration, sustainability education and community engagement.
UF/IFAS Extension – Duval County - for the Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Yard Recognition Program.
Community/Civic
Riverview Collective Community Organization (RCCO) – for efforts to lead a community driven model of environmental stewardship, education and resilience along Trout River in North Jacksonville.
Scenic Jacksonville – for significant effort to promote conservation and protection of the Jacksonville tree canopy, beautification throughout the community and significant advocacy for riverfront parks in the Downtown core.
Individual
Rhiley Hodges – for significant work with various organizations on environmental justice, climate resilience, extreme heat, food access and for creation of Watered Down - a climate justice program.
Alaia Jeannin - for significant work with the Better Builds for Birds project which advocates for an emphasis on practical changes to buildings, bird-collision prevention, and longer-term advocacy for bird-friendly design.
Small Business
TerraWise Homes – for efforts to build eco-friendly, energy efficient and affordable in-fill homes in Jacksonville's Urban Core neighborhoods.
Therapeutic Nursery and Gardenz – for their innovative commitment to environmental restoration, regenerative agriculture and community education.
Resilience Champion (in consultation with the CRO)
Jessica Beach, P.E. – for leading resilience efforts in the Northeast Florida Region including co-chairing the Regional Resilience Collaborative and leadership in the development of the first ever Regional Resilience Action Plan.
JEPB Award of Merit
Jill Enz – for leading the design process for many Jacksonville parks and especially for ensuring the inclusion of resilience design elements in the riverfront parks in Downtown Jacksonville.