Green Flash

Florida’s diamondback terrapin turtles, which herpetologists believe are the only tortoise in the world who lives in brackish water, must be left in the blend of fresh and salt water that the slowpokes call home. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in December decided diamondback terrapin turtle numbers have dipped enough that the critters need protection to keep any more of them from being scooped up in the wild. Collecting or possessing a diamondback terrapin is now illegal, but there are exceptions: for turtle researchers, for educational displays of the turtles, and for similar conservation-based programs.

The Vester Marine and Environmental Science Research Field Station in Bonita Springs received $10,000 grant earlier this month from an environmental foundation in Maine.

Growing ever-closer to the public area in the 13,500-acre Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a forest of extremely thirsty, ecosystem-changing, shape-shifting, pollen-producing Carolina willows that have invaded the wet prairies. The Carolina willow is selfish, and a lousy neighbor. The plant, which can also grow as a bush either before or after it’s a tree, sends a shallow root system into the soaked soil, and takes a never-ending gulp. Long, serrated, spear-shaped leaves sprout out from branches and criss-cross one another, denying animals access to wet prairies that provide excellent foraging and a place to cool off. The plant produces a strong pollen, and is filled with pests.

Paying for beach sand in Florida is now a thing. The demand for high-quality, bright-white sand to restock eroding beaches has been so high for so long in Southwest Florida most of the easy stuff piled up naturally offshore has been tapped. Now beach towns around the state are buying sand from inland mines, trucking it to eroding shorelines, and dumping it. The goal of these multi-million efforts, like the one underway in Collier County right now, is to keep the beach in beach towns around Florida.

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.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will expand legal protections for agricultural operations. Passed by both the Florida House and Senate, the bill (SB 88) expands the state’s 1979 “Right to Farm” law and will shield the agriculture industry from what they consider nuisance lawsuits.

Listen to author, investigative journalist and research director of US Right to Know Carey Gillam talk about capitalism, greed, the prioritization of profits over public health, and the long term, multi-generational impacts of chemicals and pesticides, and what you can do.

WGCU's Valerie Vande Panne talks with Rick Kilby about Florida's natural springs and precious natural environment.