Tom Bayles and Michael Braun

Calling declines in the manatee population since 2017 “dramatic” a coalition of groups have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase protections for the aquatic mammal.The Center for Biological Diversity, Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, Miami Waterkeeper, Save the Manatee Club and Frank S. González García filed the petition Monday. The petition urges the federal wildlife agency to reclassify the species from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Veransa Group, an industrial-scale recycler of green and wood waste has acquired MW Horticulture's South Lee County green and wood waste recycling facility for an undisclosed amount.