Environmental groups have launched a petition drive for a constitutional amendment that would earmark $10 billion in state funds over 20 years for conservation programs. As an amendment, it would cement funding formulas for land purchases and conservation efforts that lawmakers could not change without voter approval. At issue is money for the state’s Land [...]
Wildlife officials say sea turtle nest counts are up on east-central Florida beaches. In Volusia County, turtles have dug 2,884 nests so far this year, up from 2,356 nests all last year. In Flagler County, turtles have dug 555 nests so far this year, compared with 444 in 2011. Sea turtle nesting in Manatee and [...]
Researchers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have documented male and female pillar corals spawning together in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This is a significant discovery because it was unclear if female pillar corals existed in Florida. Diving off Key Largo, researchers witnessed male pillar coral colonies releasing clouds of milky [...]
An overabundance of seaweed has been washing ashore on both coasts of Florida. Since January, news media in Broward County have reported that 1,000 tons of seaweed has been removed from the shore in Fort Lauderdale. Beaches on the Gulf Coast especially those in Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties have been affected. Experts call the [...]
Southwest Region: Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not found in samples collected this week from alongshore Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, and Monroe counties, or along or offshore of Collier County. Three samples collected alongshore of Sarasota County contained K. brevis in concentrations ranging from background to very low.