Michael W. Sole, Secretary

The Department of Environmental Protection protects and manages Florida's natural resources while enforcing the environmental laws that protect these unique treasures. Overseeing the more than 150 award-winning state parks, the Department is also charged with conserving environmentally-sensitive lands, restoring waterways and preserving the state's historical and cultural resources through Florida Forever -- the 10-year, $3 billion program established by Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature in 1999. Together with the South Florida Water Management District, the Department is implementing the largest environmental restoration project in the nation's history -- a 30-year, $10.5 billion State-federal partnership to restore America's Everglades.