Alachua County is seeking residents to serve on two advisory bodies focused on protecting natural resources and addressing climate change.
The Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC) and the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) are accepting applications to fill fall vacancies.
EPAC advises the Alachua County Commission on safeguarding the county’s natural resources, including environmentally sensitive lands, surface water and groundwater. CCAC, which serves Alachua County, the City of Gainesville and surrounding municipalities, advises the Joint Water and Climate Policy Board on resiliency solutions and helps guide implementation of the countywide Climate Action Plan. It also works to ensure policies consider communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, such as extreme heat and flooding.
Applications for either citizen board are being accepted online through Aug. 15, 2025.
EPAC
Current EPAC openings are for volunteers looking to serve in at-large and alternate roles with two- or three-year terms. The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Gainesville. The Alachua County Commission will make appointments at a regularly scheduled meeting in September.
For questions about EPAC, contact EPAC County Liaison Summer Waters at 352-663-7570 or swaters@alachuacounty.us.
CCAC
Current CCAC openings include citizen-at-large, alternate and — new this year — a youth representative (ages 16–21). CCAC meets on the third Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Gainesville. Selections will be made at the Joint Water and Climate Policy Board’s meeting on Oct. 6.
“We need a range of perspectives and voices at the table to identify the best local solutions to our climate challenges, and I encourage anyone from our community who is interested in being a part of this effort to apply,” said CCAC County Liaison Jennison Kipp.
For questions about CCAC, contact Jennison Kipp at 352-264-6823 or jkipp@alachuacounty.us.
