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Home ReleasesMiami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava appoints new director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM)

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Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava appoints new director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM)

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https://www.miamidade.gov/global/environment/home.page 2026-02-18 2026-02-18T13:00:00.000Z 08 00 am Natalia Jaramillo [email protected] Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava appoints new director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) On Feb. 18, the Board of County Commissioners ratified Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s appointment of Loren Parra to the position of Director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). Today, the Board of County Commissioners ratified Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s appointment of Loren Parra to the position of Director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). Previously serving in the dual roles of Chief Resilience Officer and Miami-Dade County’s Chief Bay & Water Resources Officer, Parra has spearheaded critical projects and policy related to the restoration of Florida’s Biscayne Bay.  “In Miami-Dade, our environment is our economy, our well-being, and our future,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “I am thrilled Loren will now lead our County’s vital work to protect our environment today and build a resilient, future-ready community for tomorrow.”   Mayor Levine Cava’s plan to turn DERM, previously under the Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Department, into an independent department led by Parra, will increase environmental protection and facilitate more efficient services to residents by bringing all related programs and divisions under one roof.  “I’m grateful to Mayor Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners for their trust and support,” Parra said. “DERM is essential to protecting the natural resources that define Miami‑Dade and sustain our economy and quality of life. I look forward to advancing our work to restore Biscayne Bay, protect our water and air, grow our urban forests, and support resilient neighborhoods and businesses for generations to come.”  Parra brings wide-ranging expertise to her new role. She has extensive background in public policy, advocacy, and government affairs, with a strong focus on environmental resilience and community development. Through her leadership, the County has increased state and federal participation in efforts to accelerate solutions to protect Biscayne Bay, including securing $5 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restart the Biscayne Bay Southern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration (BBSEER) project. Parra has helped integrate the County’s siloed work around flood reduction and improved water quality, championing more efficient investments that protect our neighborhoods and public dollars. no 2026 00 a.m. 00 a.m. org1758634481417277 1 rel1771440267548551 Environmental Resources Management Overtown Transit Village North 701 NW 1st Court Miami 33136 local county miami-dade department department Environmental Resources ManagementDERM Contact Us /global/environment/contact.page https://miamidadecounty.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(tuu0bx5xhnm2pq4rwkbnfvia))/RequestSelect.aspx Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management The Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) manages today’s growing needs while protecting our environment for tomorrow through responsible governance, smart policy and resource protection. DERM’s authority and responsibility are rooted in both comprehensive local environmental regulation as well as State and Federally mandated legislation. Programs are designed to manage air, water and land resources for the health, safety and enjoyment of current and future residents and visitors. Director Loren Parra Loren Parra Overtown Transit Village North - 701 NW 1st Court [loc1462483157330387] : Miami ^ 33136 loc1462483157330387 305-372-6789 https://www.miamidade.gov/global/environment/home.page

environmental-resources-management org1758634481417277 loc1462483157330387 Overtown Transit Village North 701 NW 1st Court Miami 33136 305-372-6789 https://www.miamidade.gov/global/environment/home.page

MIAMI-DADE ( February 18, 2026 )–

Today, the Board of County Commissioners ratified Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s appointment of Loren Parra to the position of Director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). Previously serving in the dual roles of Chief Resilience Officer and Miami-Dade County’s Chief Bay & Water Resources Officer, Parra has spearheaded critical projects and policy related to the restoration of Florida’s Biscayne Bay.

“In Miami-Dade, our environment is our economy, our well-being, and our future,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “I am thrilled Loren will now lead our County’s vital work to protect our environment today and build a resilient, future-ready community for tomorrow.”

Mayor Levine Cava’s plan to turn DERM, previously under the Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Department, into an independent department led by Parra, will increase environmental protection and facilitate more efficient services to residents by bringing all related programs and divisions under one roof.

“I’m grateful to Mayor Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners for their trust and support,” Parra said. “DERM is essential to protecting the natural resources that define Miami‑Dade and sustain our economy and quality of life. I look forward to advancing our work to restore Biscayne Bay, protect our water and air, grow our urban forests, and support resilient neighborhoods and businesses for generations to come.”

Parra brings wide-ranging expertise to her new role. She has extensive background in public policy, advocacy, and government affairs, with a strong focus on environmental resilience and community development. Through her leadership, the County has increased state and federal participation in efforts to accelerate solutions to protect Biscayne Bay, including securing $5 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restart the Biscayne Bay Southern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration (BBSEER) project. Parra has helped integrate the County’s siloed work around flood reduction and improved water quality, championing more efficient investments that protect our neighborhoods and public dollars.