When we talk about protecting Northeast Florida’s environment, it is easy to think first about sea turtles, beaches, or the St. Johns River. But environmental protection is also about protecting us.
Take the St. Johns River. Fertilizer runoff, wastewater, and other pollutants can introduce excess nutrients and bacteria into our waterways, contributing to harmful algal blooms and unsafe water conditions. Protecting water quality does more than preserve fish and wildlife—it helps protect the people who swim, fish, boat, and live alongside these waters.
Our marshes, wetlands, and dunes are just as important. These ecosystems act as natural buffers, absorbing water and helping protect coastal communities from flooding and storm surge. When wetlands disappear because of development, we do not just lose wildlife habitat. We can also lose part of our natural protection against hurricanes and extreme rainfall.
Then there is heat. Anyone who has spent an August afternoon in Jacksonville knows how intense Florida temperatures can be. Trees, parks, and other green spaces provide shade and help reduce temperatures in developed areas. Protecting them can make our communities healthier and more comfortable, particularly as extreme heat becomes more common.
These issues may be local, but they are part of a much larger global health story. Communities worldwide face similar challenges involving polluted water, extreme heat, flooding, and declining ecosystems. Northeast Florida gives us a chance to see firsthand how closely environmental and human health are connected.
So what can we do?
Volunteer for a local beach or river cleanup. Reduce fertilizer and single-use plastic use. Support organizations restoring wetlands and waterways. Pay attention to local environmental policies—and speak up when natural spaces are threatened.
Protecting Northeast Florida isn’t only about keeping our beaches beautiful.
Diya Comar