St. Johns Riverkeeper (SJRK) and Public Trust for Conservation have established the first environmental protection fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, funded by settlements with industrial facilities illegally discharging polluted stormwater into local waterways. Instead of paying fines to the government, violators contribute to the Northeast Florida Environmental Conservation Fund, ensuring that the money supports local pollution reduction initiatives. The fund, which is also open to public donations, is independently managed to prevent conflicts of interest, with grants awarded to projects that improve water quality and benefit local ecosystems.

The fund’s first $20,000 grant was awarded to LISC Jacksonville and the Riverview Collective Community Organization (RCCO) to establish an oyster reef in the Trout River at Riverview Park. Celebrated during RCCO’s recent OysterFest, the project will create vital habitat for oysters—natural filter-feeders that clean waterways—while educating the community about water quality. By targeting pollution near a contributing facility, the project exemplifies how settlements can directly benefit affected communities and support nature-based solutions for healthier waterways.