The Florida Fish and Wildlife's Research Bulletin for February reports that 2024 nesting numbers for sea turtles were no surprise, recording lower numbers for some species but also posting solid and record-breaking counts for other species.The counts are the result of the Florida Index Nesting Beach Survey which records sea turtle nest counts on a standardized set of index beaches. Researchers use the annual survey to determine nesting trends.

The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 40-acre prescribed burn in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Management Area in Lee County today. The burn unit is in the CREW Management Area and is approximately 5 miles south of SR 82 and 1.5 miles east of Corkscrew Road.

The Charlotte County Commission and the City of Punta Gorda have imposed a ban on all outdoor burning, including the use and discharge of fireworks and sparklers, due to ongoing drought conditions and increased fire risk.Burn bans also remain in effect in Collier, Sarasota, Glades, Hendry and Highlands counties in Southwest Florida.

Lee, Charlotte and Manatee counties are in the top 10 Florida counties for manatee deaths so far in 2025, a new report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission shows.The report shows that of the 148 manatees that have died this year in Florida as of Feb. 14, Lee County has had the most with 31 deaths.

Some long-time Cape Coral residents fear for the future of the once laid-back community. Development, they say, is ruining the old charm of the cape.

Audubon Florida's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is getting a makeover of sorts with some new buildings feature new attractions such as interactive displays that can be seen, heard, and touched

A Florida Senate committee Tuesday will consider a plan that would make wide-ranging changes in the state’s water management districts, with backers saying the proposals would boost transparency and help the districts focus on their “core” mission.The Senate on Friday released details of the plan (SPB 7002), which will be spearheaded by Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Sanford Republican who is a top lieutenant of Senate President Ben Albritton. While the bill would make changes to the five water management districts, it also deals heavily with Everglades restoration.

The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 87-acre prescribed burn in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Management Area in Collier County, Wednesday, February 12.

The study, by Mote Marine Laboratory, connects increased harmful algae blooms with the long-term acidification of Florida’s estuaries.

Florida is home to more than 500 nonnative species, more than 50 of which are reptiles. Current monitoring techniques depend on visual surveys by scientists, and this is far from an exact science because reptiles — particularly snakes — are extremely elusive. A new technique being developed by scientists at University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) can identify DNA traces of Burmese pythons — as well as northern African pythons, boa constrictors, and rainbow boas — weeks after they have left an area using soil or water samples.