It starts with our mission.

The primary purpose of the Public Trust is to invoke the law to protect the lands, waters, wildlife, and natural resources of Florida. Environmental threats to Florida’s special places often require immediate action. The Public Trust has an established record of swiftly and effectively responding to protect imperiled public resources, using community action, education, and targeted advocacy. Creating programs to prepare the next generations of environmental advocates is also vital to our mission. Our lawyers (including our Board of Directors, composed entirely of trial lawyers) use the court system when necessary to enforce the public’s right to access and enjoy these special places, including Jacksonville’s Preservation Project, held within the public trust.

Check out how we are creating and sustaining beautiful green spaces in Northeast Florida and how you can help us continue to do so – including at our newest project in the New Town Community in Jacksonville’s urban core.

The Public Trust has used community action, education, and targeted legal advocacy to protect the lands, waters, wildlife, and natural resources of Florida for more than a decade.

The Public Trust closely monitors Florida’s municipal and industrial facilities for wastewater and stormwater compliance. We research and implement initiatives to help imperiled waterbodies recover. We are facilitating the effective planting of millions of dollars worth of trees in Duval County. And that’s just to name a few.

The Public Trust for Conservation is coordinating the science-based legal advocacy our community needs to limit the damage caused by South Florida’s sewage sludge being dumped along the St. Johns River.

Get outdoors and experience what we are working to protect. Duval County has the largest park system in the country- there is so much to explore! Watch short videos about our parks or order one of our free paddling guides for four different locations throughout Northeast Florida! Get out there and explore!

Are you a law student Interested in applying for the Bill Brinton Scholarship? This internship/externship program is in honor and memory of Bill Brinton, one of NE’s Florida’s most effective attorneys/advocates for environmental protection.

Check out some of our past media coverage in the Florida Times-Union highlighting Public Trust’s work in protecting Duval County’s tree canopy and defending our waterways through our legal advocacy.

The Public Trust is a 501 (c)(3) public-interest nonprofit, making your donation tax-deductible. The majority of our funding comes in the form of financial support from private donors and foundations. We couldn’t do what we do without YOU! And you can help us do even more.