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  • June

    As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers celebrates its 251st birthday on June 16, 2026, the Jacksonville District continues their critical missions which have defined much of its history since the district was established in 1884. The Jacksonville District’s legacy continues to connect Florida’s communities to global markets while supporting economic prosperity, military readiness and the safe movement of commerce throughout the state.

    251 Years of Service: The Jacksonville District Continues the Army’s Legacy

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the U.S. Army celebrates its birthday on June 14, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers celebrates its 251st birthday two days later, on June 16th. The Jacksonville District’s continuum legacy stretches back more than 140 years in Florida, combining military engineering expertise, environmental stewardship, navigation improvements, flood-risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and emergency response into one of the most diverse missions in the federal government.
  • Jake Edwards, a liaison officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, surveys hurricane damage from high water in Cedar Key, Fla. Sept. 28, 2024 following storm Hurricane Helene.USACE brings unique capabilities to emergency responses, but we are just one piece of a much larger Army and DOD team working to support our federal, state, and local partners. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)

    Jacksonville District reinforces hurricane readiness through Hurricane preparedness

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida is famous for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and vibrant ecosystems. However, living in the Sunshine State also means facing the annual threat of ferocious hurricanes. Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30, bringing peak storm risks between mid-August and late October. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District recently conducted a simulated Hurricane tabletop exercise alongside state partners to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season.

  • May

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Commander Col. Brandon Bowman, with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Adam Telle and Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly conducts the signing of a Project Cooperation Agreement Amendment with Pinellas County, resolving longstanding implementation issues involving easement requirements and public access provisions that have created uncertainty surrounding future nourishment cycles.

    USACE, Pinellas County Sign Updated Agreement Establishing Path Forward for Continued Beach Nourishment

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District and Pinellas County signed an updated Project Cooperation Agreement on May 29 establishing a new framework for continued federal participation in the Pinellas County Shore Protection Project at Sand Key, Treasure Island, and Long Key.
  • USACE Jacksonville District leadership poses for a photo op with Sarasota City and County officials following a ribbon-cutting celebrating the completion of the renourishment of Lido Key Beach.

    Jacksonville District celebrates the renourishment of Lido Key Beach with City and County partners in Sarasota

    SARASOTA, Fla. (May 29, 2026) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, joined the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County leadership, community stakeholders and residents of Lido Key on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the Lido Key Beach renourishment project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Lido Key Beach.
  • Members of the Cascades at Riverhall community group pose for a photo outside the Visitor Center at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area on May 14, 2026, after touring the facility’s interactive exhibits in Alva, Florida. The tour highlighted U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District recreation missions, environmental stewardship efforts and the importance of the Okeechobee Waterway. (Photo by U.S Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Megan Parsons)

    South Florida Community members explore USACE lock during educational tour at W.P. Franklin South

    ALVA, Fla. (May 15, 2026) — Residents from the Cascades at Riverhall community visited the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area yesterday for an educational tour highlighting recreation opportunities, environmental stewardship and the critical role of the lock along the Okeechobee Waterway.

  • USACE issues permit for Summer's End Marina in U.S. Virgin Islands

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District issued a permit for the Summer's End Marina located in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands on April 20.

  • April

    From left, Megan Parsons, Lee Martin and Jessica “Skippy” Martin pose with balloons collected during a cleanup effort near Julian Keen, Florida, April 22, 2026. The team recovered 28 balloons in three hours, demonstrating the widespread impact of litter in waterways. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)

    Balloon debris removal effort at Lake Okeechobee supports environmental stewardship mission

    LAKE OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (April 22, 2026) — A small team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District removed dozens of pieces of debris from Lake Okeechobee during a targeted cleanup effort, underscoring the growing environmental impact of balloon releases on Florida’s waterways.
  • Expedited completion of the EAA Reservoir Project is a prime example of the Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative in action: to finish nationally significant work with greater effort and emphasis and leverage support from our non-federal partners as a force multiplier for faster delivery. (U.S. Army photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    ASA announces expedited completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project

    BELLE GLADE, Fla. - (April 13, 2026) Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle announced decisive action to fast-track completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project, with construction now targeted for completion by 2029 and select project actions delegated to the State of Florida.

  • March

    A native box turtle emerges from his home on the grounds of the Tree Hill Nature Center. Box turtles, like this one, greatly benefit from the removal of invasive plants, like the coral ardisia, that push out native plants and other items that the turtle depends on for food and shelter.

    Wrangling Weeds one Invasive Plant at a time

    Wrangling weeds may sound simple, but during National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) it becomes a focused effort to protect Florida’s native landscapes one invasive plant at a time. The 2026 Florida Weed Wrangle, a statewide campaign held during NISAW, called on volunteers to help rescue public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of harmful trees, vines and shrubs.
  • Photo of a group of people standing together in a conference room.

    The People Side of Oversight: Building the Skills for Effective Regulation

    Jacksonville District regulators attend a multi-day training to develop essential competencies required to excel in their roles.
  • Lt. Col. Matthew Westcott, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, observes high school students as they test their boat designs during the first “Surprise Problem” challenge at the 24th Annual Engineering Career Day Feb. 27, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. Using only provided materials, teams constructed small boats and added coins to test floatability and stability before the next phase of the challenge focused on mobility. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Aaron Church)

    Future Engineers in Action: Northeast Florida students tackle real-world challenges at the 24th Annual Engineering Career Day

    Nearly 100 students from Northeast Florida schools tackled real-world engineering challenges while learning from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals, industry partners, and universities during National Engineers Week. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Aaron Church)
  • An excavator operated by a City of Fort Pierce employee prepares to move freshly delivered sand into place along the shoreline at Jetty Park on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, as workers race to protect a nearby roadway, homes and underground utilities from an eroding shoreline. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Ronnie Shawn Huebner)

    Against Rising Tides and a Disappearing Shoreline: A Rapid Sand Response

    Against a rising tide and disappearing shoreline, Col. Brandon L. Bowman, Commander Jacksonville District, received a call from Congressman Brian Mast’s (FL-21) office requesting immediate assistance. The message was clear: severe erosion was accelerating at Jetty Park and had created a dangerous risk of potential shoreline breach onto private property, and the Corps expertise was needed.
  • Larbi Kandil, chief of Asset Management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, leads the district’s Asset Management program, overseeing the sustainment, modernization and operational readiness of facilities and infrastructure that support mission execution across the region. In his role, Kandil coordinates planning, resource prioritization and long-term facility strategy to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and aligned with Corps standards. Recognized for his steady leadership, technical expertise and commitment to developing his workforce, Kandil has built a reputation for advocating for his team and fostering a collaborative environment that strengthens both people and mission performance. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Visual Information Specialist Ty Erickson)

    Steady Hands Behind Critical Infrastructure: Larbi Kandil Leads Asset Management for Jacksonville District

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (Mar. 3, 2026) Behind every functioning lock, dam, facility, and survey vessel in the Jacksonville District is a complex system of maintenance, planning, and stewardship. Helping ensure those assets remain safe, reliable, and mission-ready is Larbi Kandil, District Asset Manager and Chief of the Asset Management Section within the Multi-Projects Branch, Operations Division.

  • February

    Safety first! Before the tour, Jason Pritt, Lock Operator, gave students a safety briefing and an overview of the WP Franklin Lock and Dam. As part of their STEM-focused field trip, students learned about career paths in science and engineering and gained insight into lock operations within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (USACE photo by John Miracle, Volunteer and former Jacksonville District Lock Mechanic)

    Where Science Meets Service: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

    Alva, FL, - On a cool morning along the Caloosahatchee River, the arrival of the yellow school buses at the W.P Franklin Visitor Center signaled more than just another field trip. Nearly 40 students from East Lee County and Dunbar High Schools stepped off ready to explore how science connects to real-world careers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District.

  • OP-ED: Navigating the dry season with a conservation mindset

    Florida’s water story in 2025 was one of progress, partnership and a shared commitment to responsible stewardship. This past year brought meaningful improvements across much of the system.
  • PICAYUNE STRAND, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2026) – Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has visited Picayune Strand throughout its many phases of restoration and in various roles during his career. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project is restoring more than 55,000 acres of land. Restoration benefits are being observed in rehydrated areas, including the reestablishment of native plant communities and the return of animals such as wood storks and the endangered Florida panther. (U.S. Army Photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    Jacksonville District celebrates completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project

    NAPLES, Fla. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, along with federal, state, and local partners celebrated the completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project earlier today during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Miller Pump Station in Naples, FL.

  • December

    A pelican flies across the bay during sunrise- the sky is orange

    Restoring Biscayne’s Delicate Balance

    The brackish water was still as glass. As the sun rose from beneath a glaucous, marbled blanket of clouds, it saluted those waiting to see her display her fiery red-orange dress. If you focused solely on the magic transpiring in the bay, you could almost forget the traffic building nearby as 2.7 million residents set about their daily lives.
  • Col. Brandon Bowman, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, addresses the benefits of the next iteration of the Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project, Delray Beach Segment, with engineers, project managers and local representatives from Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach during a kickoff event, with beach renourishment work set to kick off in January 2026.

    Jacksonville District, Palm Beach County and Delray Beach celebrate partnership, forthcoming beach renourishment

    DEL RAY BEACH, Fla. - The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, celebrated the kick-off of the Delray Beach Segment of the Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project with local governmental representatives from non-Federal sponsor Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach, Monday, in anticipation of the renourishment of 2.65 miles of shoreline, starting January 2026.

  • November

    Maj. Matthew Westcott stands at attention while his wife Louise Westcott and U. S. Army Col. Brandon Bowman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander pin on his new rank during the promotion of Westcott to Lieutenant Colonel during a promotion ceremony Nov. 13, at the District Headquarters in the Prudential Building. As Westcott prepares to ascend to the next echelon of leadership within USACE, his promotion is a testament to his unwavering commitment and meritorious service. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Rankin)

    Jacksonville District Deputy District Commander promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

    JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Soldiers, Maj. Matthew Westcott was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony held Nov. 13, 2025, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Headquarters.
  • With exceptional teamwork and adaptability, this group of Jacksonville District employees, Jessica “Skippy” Martin, Lee Martin, Graham Thompson and Steven Klemme, pictured at the crash site, transformed a routine workday into a life-saving response. Swift action and seamless coordination ensured passengers reached medical care and first responders safely and quickly.

    Routine Interrupted: Responding to the Unexpected

    What began as a routine Wednesday afternoon quickly turned into an emergency response for four Jacksonville District Operations Division, South Florida Operations Office (SFOO) employees.