Environment

Invasive pond slider turtles taking over Sanibel Island — very, very slowly

Tom Bayles

Herpetologists blame not the slider, but the former freshwater ponds in the interior of the island spiking in salinity after being inundated with saltwater storm surge from recent hurricanes.

Once-a-week watering restrictions will remain in place in certain Southwest Florida counties until spring

Environment

Watering restrictions to remain in place until March 2027 in some SWFL counties

Tom Bayles

The Southwest Florida Water Management District extended strict watering restrictions for a second time.

The National Golf Foundation lists Florida as the state with the highest number of golf courses in America, and if developer Jon Rubinton of SWJR Naples LLC convinces Collier County commissioners of his vision, a 170-acre former citrus grove near the Picayune Strand State Forest will soon be the newest one

Environment

Developer wants to build golf course along NW corner of Picayune Strand State Forest

Tom Bayles

Jon Rubinton of SWJR Naples LLC, previously proposed a 423-home residential community on the former citrus grove in January, then switched to a golf course with cottages

So-called rust tide look similiar to red tide but it's not the same organism, and while it can cause massive fishkills it has not been shown to release a toxin into the air that creates itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, and even breathing problems in some of those predispositioned to suffer the malady; also known by part of its scientific name, Margalefidinium, Calusa Waterkeeper volunteer pilot Ralph Arwood recently spotted it in Lee County waters near Sanibel Island, Tarpon Bay, Captiva Pass, Pine Island Sound and Cayo Costa

Environment

‘Rust tide’ appears in Lee County waters near Sanibel Island, Pine Island Sound

Tom Bayles

A tiny ocean organism called rust tide has been spotted in the waters off Southwest Florida and while rare it looks like red tide and can cause massive fish kills.

Real photo from Air Force hurricane hunters looking up out of the eye of Hurricane Melissa in Oct 2025 when it had peak winds of 185

Environment

Hurricane model developed by Google boosted with AI showing promise

Tom Bayles

Google scientists have led the effort to build a better hurricane prediction model using artificial intelligence.

The final phases of repairs to the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island are underway, and included repairing the boardwalk entrance ramp to the visitor and education center.

Environment

Repairs to J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge from Hurricane Ian wrapping up

Tom Bayles

Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage to the wildlife refuge when it struck Sanibel Island on September 28, 2022. Repairs are just now wrapping up four years later.

Human Interest

Florida's vultures inspire thousands of poems; Okeechobee woman's Haiku among contest winners

Tom Bayles

Audubon Florida asked poets to write haikus in a contest celebrating turkey and black vultures ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day, which is celebrated on the first Saturday in September.

Federal wildland firefighters light controlled burns in the Everglades National Park in February to try and minimize the behavior of fires like the two that broke out in the Shark Valley late last week

Environment

Drought and heat continue in South Florida as Everglades wildfires burn 10,000 more acres

Tom Bayles

The 18-month drought statewide continues in Southwest Florida during summer 2026; Shark Valley reopens

Environment

Most constrictors caught during annual summer python challenge were hatchlings

Tom Bayles

The Python Challenge helps raise awareness about the harm invasive species cause in South Florida.

Montana’s Basin Creek watershed, which supplies Butte’s drinking water.

Environment

Trump moves to kill roadless rule; Opponents say biggest assault on forest protections in U.S. history

WGCU Staff

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conversation Rule. Opposition to Tuesday's move was immediate.