Behind The SJCenes Podcast Highlights Environmental Services
Environmental Services is a division of Growth Management that oversees a multi-faceted program to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources of St. Johns County.
Key Points
- Environmental Services helps with development review, habitat conservation, cultural resources, and land management.
- There are two advisory boards that offer guidance to the staff and the Board of County Commissioners.
- The LAMP initiative identifies, evaluates, and recommends lands to be acquired in the unincorporated areas of the County for conservation, management, and passive recreational opportunities.
On July 22, 2026, Michael Lagasse, Environmental Manager and Ryan Mauch, Environmental Supervisor discussed the efforts of Growth Management’s environmental division and staff to address development review, land management, and cultural resources during the Behind the SJCenes podcast broadcast live on WSOS 103.9 FM. Listen to the full episode on the St. Johns County YouTube Channel. Behind the SJCenes episodes and other shows are available at the SJC Podcasts web page.
The show also promoted the County’s new SJC Stewardship Series. It is a monthly video series highlighting history, culture, and conservation efforts in St. Johns County.
Mauch and Lagasse shared the various aspects of the division to protect and preserve St. Johns County habitats, cultural resources, and land resources through various efforts that support the conservation priority of the County’s Strategic Plan. One objective of the conservation priority is to collaborate with key stakeholders and partners to protect environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources.
The Environmental Division includes:
- Development Review: Evaluates proposed new development and construction in St. Johns County for environmental and cultural protections and compliance with the County’s Land Development Code.
- Habitat Conservation: Ensures protection of coastal endangered animal and plant species and protection of critical beachfront habitats by administering the County’s Beach Code and Habitat Conservation Plan.
- Cultural Resources: Identifies cultural resources in St. Johns County and aids in their preservation for the public’s benefit. Cultural Resources include archaeological sites, historic structures, cemeteries, historic roadways and bridges and a range of objects and documents.
- Land Resource Management: Manages the County’s Regional Offsite Mitigation Areas and Conservation lands for compliance with permits and to keep these areas in a healthy natural condition.
Support and guidance are provided by the volunteers who serve on the Land Acquisition Management Board and the Cultural Resource Review Board.
Behind the SJCenes is produced every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. on WSOS 103.9, with a bi-weekly recap of the previous day’s Board of County Commissioner’s meeting and a featured guest interview for a live radio broadcast. The program is an effort to support the Community Trust priority of the County’s Strategic Plan. The goal is to enhance community trust through proactive communication to foster engagement and build an environment of public participation.
Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters and learn how we’re shaping our community’s future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.
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