Stephanie Byrne

A group of Lee County teachers is practicing what they preach. They’re taking what they’ve learned at the Watershed Teacher Leadership Academy and using that to teach their students how to protect the water quality in Southwest Florida. “We’re trying to tap into the knowledge of researchers and see how can we have some more […]

Lawmakers are trying to make sure another water crisis doesn’t happen to our state again. A new bill aims to make our waterways cleaner and keep them that way. Florida Gulf Coast University professor Dr. Mike Parsons sits on the state’s blue-green algae task force. Parsons says he thinks “it’s a good first step in […]

Beach erosion and changes to our coastline both are not anything new to Southwest Florida, but still raise concerns. But Sanibel Island is working to stay ahead of the curve. As WINK News environmental reporter Stephanie Byrne explains, they’re turning to other countries for advice. Experts from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and […]

This is a year of milestones. It’s the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. WINK News environmental reporter Stephanie Byrne sat down with National Geographic’s first-ever female editor-in-chief, Susan Goldberg, to learn about her experiences as a journalist, and the issues facing our planet today. Watch the […]

Pictures of dolphin killed in the state made a lot of people in Southwest Florida upset. It’s caused many community members to make donations to the increasing reward to help find a dolphin killer. The reward for a suspected dolphin killer in Southwest Florida and statewide is more than $54,000 to find who is responsible […]

Researchers are using drones in Immokalee to help look for diseases in our crops. They are hoping the drones can give us a sharper image and clearer picture, so our food is safe to consume. UF/IFAS researchers are testing out both drones and artificial intelligence technology to spot diseases in tomatoes. “After we collect some […]

A public meeting was held Friday to figure out how to protect Sanibel and Captiva islands. A final report looks at what parts of the islands are vulnerable in the face of sea-level rise. At the meeting, experts talked directly with homeowners about their findings. “We love it. It’s a glorious place. The people are […]

When you think of agriculture, what comes to mind? Probably not that iPad or cell phone you’re using, right? Actually, farmers and growers are using that same technology to keep an eye on the water and more. “Most people convey a farmer as somebody out there with some shovels, and hoes, and some tractors,” said […]

From feral hogs to cane toads, pythons to iguanas, and we can’t forget those Brazilian pepper trees, Florida has its fair share of invasive species. “Which affects the native ecosystem, so you don’t have the biodiversity that you need for more resilience,” says David Outerbridge, the county extension director for UF/IFAS Extension Lee County. But […]

Turtle nesting season is right around the corner which means officials are making the extra effort to protect the little guys as they head to the water. While nesting season is still a couple of months away, grant money is already funding artificial lighting. As people from all over visit our beaches, soon too will […]