Valerie Vande Panne

We are all connected by the environment we share. The Earth is our home. This is the space where we share the environmental stories that caught our attention this week in Florida and beyond.

Last Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will severely limit the ability of local governments to raise impact fees, the primary tool local governments use to finance required infrastructure for new developments.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has set aside the EPA's registration of aldicarb for use on Florida citrus groves. The systemic pesticide and known neurotoxin, manufactured by AgLogic, will not be allowed for use on Florida citrus.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) is reevaluating its operation plan managing Lake Okeechobee water levels and water flow East, South and West of the Lake.

We are all connected by the environment we share. The Earth is our home. This is the space where we share the environmental stories that caught our attention this week in Florida and beyond.

Florida environmental leaders have started gathering signatures to qualify a state constitutional amendment that would recognize legal rights of waterways in the state.

Listen to working artist and chronicler of offbeat Florida art, author Gary Monroe talk about his work writing about Florida artists the Highwaymen, and his most recent book, Alfred Hair: Heart of the Highwaymen.

Florida is the global epicenter for invasive species of reptiles and amphibians. One in particular is especially dangerous to dogs and cats. The cane toad was first brought to Florida by the sugar industry to control the cane beetle. Then the pet industry brought them in. Now, the cane toad is acclimated and threatens pets.

We are all connected by the environment we share. The Earth is our home. This is the space where we share the environmental stories that caught our attention this week in Florida and beyond.

Tomorrow, Tuesday May 25th, the Collier County Board of Commissioners will cast the final vote on the proposed Longwater and Bellmar developments. The two communities in Eastern Collier County, along with Rivergrass, are planned to create a new town in the far Eastern part of Collier County, all within prime panther habitat.