Environmental Policy

Retrospective Exhibit of works by Naples painter Paul Arsenault opens at Marco Island Historical Society

John Davis

The Marco Island Historical Society is hosting a retrospective exhibition of works by Naples-based impressionist painter Paul Arsenault titled, “Reflections of South Florida: A 50-Year Art Adventure,” through Feb. 15, 2025. Ahead of an Oct. 17 opening reception, we talk with Arsenault about his work, his storied career, and his advocacy for protection of our natural world.

Unpopping the cork: This is one of two bridges built to raise several miles of Old Tamiami Trail, also known as U.S. 41, from ground level to atop a bridge some 20 feet above the water. By doing so, engineers are opening pathways for water through a roadway that acted essentially as a dam with two lanes on top for vehicles traveling from Naples to Miami; the mile or two under the bridges now allows the River of Grass to flow naturally to the south on its way to Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, restoring many rare and important ecosystems along the way that have been parched for decades

Environment

Money earmarked for Everglades restoration sets one-year record

Tom Bayles

“The Everglades has not seen this type of funding at these levels, ever,” said Eric Eikenberg, chief executive of the Everglades Foundation. Eikenberg said that billion-dollar-plus annual funding will now be needed to get the job done

The female side of the North Fort Myers breeding pair of Harriett and M15 has not been seen around the Bayshore Road nest for 24 hours, raising a slew of concern, worry and comments from the thousands of online viewers of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam. Shown above M15 calls out a warning as the nest's two eaglets, E21 and E22, nap.

Environment

After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be in peril

The Associated Press

Fifty years after the Endangered Species Act took effect, environmental advocates and scientists say the law is as essential as ever. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change and disease are putting an estimated 1 million species worldwide at risk.

Map of Florida sea level rise projections in meter increments up until 6 meters, the predicted sea level rise measure if both Greenland and the West Antarctic ice sheet melt.

Environmental and climate change education, climate anxiety ahead of National Public Lands Day

John Davis

Ahead of National Public Lands Day we explore the importance of public lands and the need for more comprehensive environmental and climate change education for students and the general public as well as research on the impacts of climate anxiety in a conversation with Jennifer Jones, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Environment and Society at the Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University and Heather-Skaza Acosta, Ph.D., interim Director of the Whitaker Center for STEM education at FGCU.

Fecal bacteria may be in the water where you're swimming. A proposed act aims to require posting advisories.

Tara Calligan

The proposed “Safe Waterways Act” by Calusa Waterkeeper would require the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue health advisories and post and maintain warning notices at “public bathing places” where the water has been found to contain fecal bacteria.

The FGCU Water School, which helped facilitate the Resiliency Compact, is under construction. It is set to open in January 2022.

Cape Coral joins Resiliency Compact to curb climate change

Serena Tartaglia

Cape Coral joins 13 other cities and counties in participating in the Resiliency Compact, dedicated to curbing climate change.

Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee blast and building

Where are we now with Everglades restoration?

Mike Kiniry

Get the latest updates on some of the major Everglades restoration projects underway, and still on the drawing board, here in South Florida.

Local Environmental Groups Host Summit To Introduce Water Quality Policy

Andrea Perdomo

Now that newly elected officials have been sworn in, local environmental groups have joined together to host an event to lay out policy that would help to…

Gov. DeSantis Pledges $2.5 Billion for Environment, Asks SFWMD Board to Resign

Julie Glenn

Governor Ron DeSantis spent the day touring the state announcing big changes to the way his office will handle water issues. He started by signing an…

SWFL Teen Suing Gov. Scott For Environmental Issues

Rachel Iacovone

They’re not yet old enough to vote, but they want to hold the state accountable for how its treated environmental issues.Valholly Frank is a 15-year-old…