Invasive Species

Environmental groups working to restore the Florida Everglades were elated to learn Wednesday that $1.1 billion from the federal infrastructure package has been earmarked to help pay for the massive, multi-decade restoration. The money will be used to hasten the efforts to undo the extensive environmental damage the Everglades suffered in the early 1900s, when the Army Corps built canals, locks and levees in a massive water management and flood control plan before the damaging environmental impacts of such efforts were fully known. Improving water quality and quantity is the Everglades is a top priority.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and the South Florida Water Management District have announced a new $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize award, sponsored by Virtual Business Services, for the 2021 Florida Python Challenge. The award will go to this year's Florida Python Challenge participant who removes the most pythons.

Florida has a growing invasive species population of a reptile that was formally considered a docile pet and is now prohibited by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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.

The FWC approved draft rules in July that would change the listing for “conditional” species, like Burmese pythons and Nile monitor lizards, to "prohibited."

Eighty Burmese pythons were caught during Miami's 10-day Super Bowl hunt, designed to raise awareness about the invasive species decimating the Everglades.

A 10-day competition to remove invasive Burmese pythons from public lands in South Florida begins Friday, Jan. 10.

The Burmese python has come a long way from once being a beloved household pet, to now a top predator in Florida's wild. A study on Florida's east coast...

A new camera that uses special wavelengths of light could help Florida in its fight against the invasive Burmese python.

Officials say Florida trappers have captured a record-setting python as part of a growing effort that encourages hunters to remove the invasive snakes...