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Archive: 2026
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  • 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.