History

(Source: Jacksonville Integrated Planning Project, Skeo Solutions)

The Eastside Environmental Council (EEC) was established in September 2004 by local citizens of Jacksonville’s Eastside community, in order to address the environmental issues in that area. The EEC was later incorporated as a “Not for Profit” organization in 2008.

Our mission is to provide an empowered, educated, healthier, and economically sustainable Urban Core Community for the citizens of East Jacksonville by the implementation of environmental studies, collaborative focus groups, and strategic planning.

We have partnered with the City of Jacksonville, the Duval County Health Department, Florida Brownfields Association, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Justice (EJ), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Florida State Community College of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College, University of North Florida, and other organizations throughout Florida. While working with these entities the EEC was also awarded grants from the CDC, Community Conversation and EPA EJ, and Community Gardens.

There are a number of goals we are working towards, which include developing and utilizing 8th street to play an active role in economic revitalization and sustainability, bringing a community health center to the Eastside, and cleaning up Deer Creek.

Our community is located east of Downtown, north of the Jacksonville Expressway and west of MLK Parkway. Jacksonville’s sports complex, including EverBank Field and Veterans Memorial Arena, lie within the area.

(Source: MetroJacksonville.com)

Jacksonville’s Eastside makes up part of Health Zone 1, a designation used by the Duval County Health Department to track health initiatives and outcomes. Health Zone 1 includes zip codes 32208, 32209, 32206, 32202, 32204, 32254 and is considered an EPA-designated environmental justice community. These areas face numerous environmental challenges, along with other issues including low household incomes, significant health disparities, and a lack of neighborhood amenities.

Jacksonville’s industrial history has led to these environmental issues, which include Superfund sites (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, program established to address abandoned hazardous waste sites), Brownfields (a property in which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated because of the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant), and polluted air and waterways.