Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore hosted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Restoration Road Trip sign dedication honoring Lake Apopka on October 19 at Magnolia Park Eco Education Center. (Pictured above, from left) Mayor Demings, Commissioner Moore, Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA) Executive Director Joe Dunn, and Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Suedmeyer.

The UNEP highlights ecological restoration efforts throughout North America. Beginning in 2021, the UN designated sites on their global map as destinations that are worthy of visiting to see effective restoration efforts in person. In February 2023, the UNEP honored Lake Apopka. Thanks to the efforts made by FOLA since 1991, the UN Global Map now includes Lake Apopka as a designated destination and also directs visitors to the FOLA website to find more information about the history and progress of the restoration.