Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection — Waters that Work, Play and Live
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection manages more than 5.3 million acres of submerged lands and coastal uplands in Florida.
Alex Reed, Director, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection
Alex Reed was appointed director of the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection in November 2019. The office has a multi-faceted approach to resilience, including coral reef protection; preservation of coastal and aquatic management areas; beach and inlet management; and the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects to prepare Florida’s coastal communities and state-managed lands for the effects of sea level rise, coastal flooding, erosion and storms.
Alex has been with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection since 2009, serving in a variety of roles and most recently as the director of the Division of Water Resource Management. Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in geology from Florida State University.
Established in 2016, the Aquatic Preserve Alliance of Central Florida is a citizen support organization for the Wekiva to Middle St. Johns Aquatic Preserve.
The Aquatic Preserve Society is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization advancing the protection and mission of Florida's Aquatic Preserves. The Aquatic Preserve Society's goal is to protect, conserve and restore these unique natural resources through public awareness and support. Aquatic preserves are managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection.
The Estero Bay Buddies (EBB) is a non-profit citizen support organization for the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and the Estero Bay Preserve State Park. The mission of the EBB is to support the further protection, conservation, restoration, management and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of the coastal and aquatic ecosystems of the Estero Bay estuary and watershed for the enjoyment and appreciation of current and future generations.
The Friends of Biscayne Bay (FOBB) is a non-profit citizen support organization that focuses on supporting the health and prosperity of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves (BBAP).
The Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves (FCHAP) is a citizen support organization for the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Established in 1995, the Friends provide funding, material and volunteer support for staff to facilitate management of the preserves and park.
Friends of GTM Research Reserve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization working with GTMNERR (Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve) to champion the preservation and enhancement of our coastal treasures. As advocates and enthusiasts, Friends of GTM Research Reserve plays a crucial role in providing vital financial and volunteer support for the reserve’s initiatives, from research and education programs to habitat restoration projects.
Friends of Our Florida Reefs (FOFR) is a registered 501c3 nonprofit citizen support organization run entirely by volunteers dedicated to conserving and protecting over 100 miles of coral reef in Southeastern Florida. Together with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, we work to protect Florida’s Coral Reef by bridging the gap in funding, providing education on and offline, community outreach events and to complement the program's activities set forth by the Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Coral Protection and Restoration Program.
Our Friends stand for clean water, environmental protection and a pristine coastline that supports recreational activities such as kayaking and birding as well as commercial endeavors like eco-tourism and fishing. So many of our Friends are drawn to Southwest Florida because of the beautiful and amazing environment and they want to see it protected for generations to come. That’s why they — like you — invest in Friends of Rookery Bay, a 501(c)(3) citizen support organization.
The Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves, Inc., is a non-profit citizen support organization established in 2003 to protect and preserve one of the most ecologically significant areas in the Southeastern United States, and to support the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve and St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve.
The Friends of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was founded in 2019. This citizen support group supports the efforts of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves.
Friends of the Reserve is a non-profit citizen support organization established in 1987 to support program funding, environmental education, stewardship of natural and cultural resources, and scientific research of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR). Through citizen involvement and community partnerships, F.O.R. is a valued contributor to the success of ANERR.
Friends of the Spoil Islands is a citizen support organization for the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve office.
The St. George Lighthouse Association preserves the Cape St. George Light and its Keepers House Museum and educates the public about the history and importance of the lighthouse.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
The first four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation's best state park system, the Florida Park Service is one of the largest in the country with 175 state parks, trails and historic sites spanning more than 815,000 acres and 101 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida's rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida's state parks offer year-round outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida's history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida's cultural heritage.
Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is home to a diverse community of underwater habitats, ranging from the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States to the largest documented contiguous seagrass community in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 6,000 animal species are found here, along with an array of submerged historical and cultural resources, making this one of the world's most cherished locations for diving, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's mission is to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate and work with partners around the world.
Florida’s Coral Reef stretches almost 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas to the St. Lucie Inlet. It’s the only coral reef system in the continental United States and is home to over 40 species of reef-building corals that provide shelter, food and breeding sites for millions of plants and animals.