It’s Wood Stork nesting season! That’s good news, but the birds seem to be nesting in lower numbers than in previous years. The drying swamp could be one of the reasons—Corkscrew continues to be drier than it should be thanks to canals that drain it. Learn more at the Naples Daily News and Audubon Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging recreational boaters get educated by taking a boater education class—Who wants boaters hitting manatee, after all? Learn more at https://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/.
FWC is sounding the alarm about invasive zebra mussels, hiding out in pet stores. "They clog pipelines used for water filtration, render beaches unusable and damage boats. They also can have harmful effects on native aquatic organisms. These filter feeders outcompete other native species in infested rivers and lakes. The waste they produce accumulates and degrades the environment, using up oxygen, making the water acidic and producing toxic byproducts.”
The ramifications of the plunging temps in Texas are still coming to the surface, this week in the form of a massive fish kill, where nearly four million fish died from the cold.
There’s a new head of the EPA, and advocates are thus far optimistic. Learn more about Michael Regan, former head of North Carolina’s DEQ.
Biden might have reversed the Trump Administration’s “interpretation” of the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, but it doesn’t mean the birds are suddenly, magically protected. Rather, the Biden Administration will issue its own interpretation. Notes Courthouse News: Industry lobbyists like the American Petroleum Institute (API) were initially supportive of the Trump-era bid to roll back protections for migratory birds, but did not take a confrontational approach to Monday’s news. “We are committed to working with the Biden administration throughout their rulemaking process in support of policies that support environmental protection while providing regulatory certainty,” said Amy Emmert, a senior policy adviser with API.
The U.S. has re-joined the Paris Climate Accord, but are we really prepared to cut emissions by 57% below 2005 levels?
It turns out cleaning up the country in our quest to stay COVID-19-free has some side effects, including antibiotic resistant germs, birth defects, and infertility. Some states are sounding the alarm on the ingredients found in common disinfectants--and some are recommending more healthful products, including hydrogen peroxide. The Environmental Working Group keeps a list of products and their ingredients for reference. Read more about the issue and what states are doing at Environmental Health News.
Worried about PFAs? Pesticides? When you learn the two go together, you realize we are facing a problem ‘of epic proportions.’
Those who remember the Vietnam War remember the horrifying images of Agent Orange’s devastation. But what might have been overlooked is the chemical’s deployment in the United States. A new documentary, The People vs. Agent Orange, looks at the issue of the chemical's use on U.S. soil--even spraying U.S. children.
Watch the trailer below and find a screening in Southwest Florida.
Read all of WGCU’s environmental coverage here.
Do & Learn
- “Citizen Science & Invasive Lionfish Removal” March 16, 4-5:30 p.m. presented by Madalyn Mussey, Education & Outreach Program Manager for Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) at CROW.
- National Shell Museum, March 25, Shells and Bad Water: Ocean Acidification and its Effects on Mollusks
- Learn all about Lee County’s water system at https://www.leegov.com/water
- Dispose of your toxic waste in Fort Myers FOR FREE on Wednesday, March 17 from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at 9360 Warrior Way (at the intersection of Forum Boulevard and Warrior Way). Some accepted materials for hazardous waste drop off include electronics, paint, batteries, pesticides, and propane tanks, as well as furniture, appliances and tires. For more information, call the City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division at 239-321-8050.
Want to influence your local environment? There’s probably a public meeting for that.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Monday, March 22, 2021, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Meeting for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), to be held Monday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Members of the public (PUBLIC) are welcome to attend the government agency PDT meeting and provide comment during designated periods. Learn more, including how to join the meeting, at: www.saj.usace.army.mil/LOSOM/
Thursday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m. Meeting on the Preliminary Project Operating Manual (PPOM) for the Indian River Lagoon – South (IRL-S) C-44 Project. Learn more, including how to join, at:www.saj.usace.army.mil//IRL-SPOM
Charlotte County has *several* committee vacancies to fill--and many have something to do with the environment. Learn more at https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/news/charlotte-county-committee-vacancies.stml
The Lee Board of County Commissioners has meetings coming up later this month. Check out the calendar here.
South Florida Water Management Upcoming Meetings
The South Florida Water Management District is seeking public input on the Final Draft 2021 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Science Plan. The final draft plan is available for public and peer review at SFWMD.gov/ASR. Public comments can be submitted via email to ASRwells@SFWMD.gov through March 22, 2021.
U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board Spring Meetings will be held online:
- Tuesday, April 20, Noon - 5:00 pm EST
- Thursday, April 22, Noon - 5:00 pm EST
- Wednesday, April 28, Noon - 5:00 pm EST
- Thursday, April 29, Noon - 5:00 pm EST
- Friday, April 30, Noon - 5:00 pm EST
The agenda, public comment registration links, and other resources will be added to the NOSB Spring 2021 Meeting webpage. All speakers making public comments must sign-up in advance.
Got an environment story or tip to share? Email Valerie Vande Panne at Vvandepanne @ wgcu.org.