Cape Coral HS students work on environmental sustainability projects

Students at Cape Coral High School are creating new life. Instead of learning inside, these students are taking a lesson in nature’s classroom. For months, they have worked toward revitalizing an ecosystem and have received grant money for their efforts. We got a look at the student projects at Cape Coral High School Friday. “As […]

Blue-green algae build up in a SWFL canal. Photo via WINK News.

Gov. DeSantis touts new Florida website. There are already concerns

A new state website vows to help with our water crisis. The governor said on Tuesday you could use it to check on blue-green algae, red tide and nutrient issues in the Caloosahatchee River. But, the site has only been up for about a day and there are already concerns. A “neat, new initiative” that […]

Gov. DeSantis, First Lady announce Protecting Florida Together website

A one-stop shop to get the information on the water quality issues affecting Southwest Florida. The new state website called Protecting Florida Together provides updates on blue-green algae, red tide as well as other key environmental projects. The site includes information on three waterways, including Lake Okeechobee. Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis […]

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary faces somber future as water dries up

You could soon see fewer plants, birds, and other wildlife at one Collier County attraction. Researchers say it’s because there is less water, especially during dry season. It’s all happening at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Jack Fortnum of Naples enjoys the area, saying, “You can’t hear anything except for the birds chirping and the […]

Sanibel record turtle hatchlings this nesting season exceeds expectations

A record-breaking number of sea turtles were born this nesting season and a conservation foundation in Sanibel Island said red tide played a considerable role. Slow and steady wins the race as turtles inch closer to the shoreline. In this case, the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation is shell-ebrating after it counted more than 48,000 emerged […]

Serving a double purpose: Drainage ditches could be used to clean water

They’re woven in the fabric of Florida driving. We’re not talking about signs or other drivers. We’re talking about drainage ditches. You may not give them much thought when you pass them, but they keep water off the roads and “they do fulfill a function which is, you know, clean the water and recharging the […]

Offshore drilling opposition meets on Sanibel, supporters say no harm will come

Groups are fighting to stop the federal government from opening up the Gulf of Mexico to offshore drilling. They want to keep our environment safe, but supporters promise they won’t do harm. In hopes of keeping waters clean, folks gathered on Sanibel to learn more about offshore drilling Monday. “The federal offshore drilling is still […]

Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir project helping prevent future water crisis

The rush is on to get the water in Southwest Florida cleaned up, and the area of the future home of the Everglades Agricultural Area or EAA Reservoir. “The EAA Reservoir is the single-most important water quality project across South Florida,” said Director of Operations at Captains for Clean Water, Noelle Casagrande. And Governor Ron […]

Eco-friendly solution: steam could be the next breakthrough in fighting weeds

Research to tackle weeds among citrus groves is heating up. University of Florida researchers like Dr. Ramdas Kanissery are trading chemical and mechanical weed control for something part of our everyday lives – water. Dr. Kanissery is an assistant professor of weed science, UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Southwest Florida Research and Education […]

Fort Myers Beach cleaning up red drift algae washed up on shore

Strong storms and wind conditions are linked to the cause of stinky piles of gunk on some Southwest Florida Beaches, but not it’s not keeping all beachgoers away. Red drift algae was in large abundance on Fort Myers Beach over the weekend, so crews had to bring in bulldozers to clear it out Monday. “It’s […]