The Conservancy of Southwest Florida reopening renovated Nature Center

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center is days away from its grand reopening after being closed for more than a year. The $5 million renovation focuses on areas critically important to Southwest Florida. When you come out to the ‘newly-expanded’ Sue and William Dalton Discovery center, you will get to experience new interactive exhibits […]

New water cleaning project aims to improve the health of SWFL water systems

The South Florida Water Management District announced a new water quality project to protect Lake Okeechobee and our coast. The plan is to clean water before it enters the lake. The project will use wetlands and technology to clean pollution in the river before it goes into Lake Okeechobee and before it makes it to our […]

How aquifer storage works and what it means for clean water

On Friday, WINK News got a sneak peek at a possible solution to our water problems. It is known as ASR or aquifer storage and recovery wells. It all starts where the Kissimmee river flows into Lake Okeechobee, but there’s a project underway that would clean and store the water before it flows into the […]

Gov. DeSantis pitches $99.7 billion state budget

Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment, and law enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break. The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting […]

Blue-Green Algae Task Force meets to discuss harmful algal blooms

The state’s blue-green algae task force met on Wednesday to learn how researchers at the state and federal levels keep tabs on harmful algal blooms. By collecting samples and capturing satellite images, experts hope to paint a complete picture of what’s in the water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explained how its “Cyanobacteria Assessment Network […]

FWC to use ‘supplemental feeding’ for manatees as their food sources disappear

Florida manatees face a record-breaking year for deaths, more than 1,000 Florida manatees have died in 2021, but there may be an answer to helping the malnourished sea cows. Though it’s illegal to feed manatees, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) approved a decision to allow […]

Health alert issued in Fort Myers Shores for blue-green algae outbreak in Caloosahatchee

The Florida Department of Health has issued a health alert after finding harmful blue-green algae toxins in the Caloosahatchee River at the Davis Boat Ramp in Fort Myers Shores. The health alert results from a Dec. 1 sample taken from the water in that area. While it isn’t thick or smelly, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani […]

‘State of the Slough’ report shows how Everglades fared during summer months

Audubon Florida released a report breaking down how our water and wildlife did during the summer months, with much to say on the progress of Everglades restoration. In the quiet sanctuary of Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp, you can find everything from whistling ducks and sunbathing gators to roseate spoonbills, all creatures dependent on a healthy Everglades system. […]

UF researchers receive federal funding to fight citrus greening

University of Florida researchers have received federal funding to combat citrus greening. This disease is devastating to citrus growers. Now, WINK News is showing you the research that is already underway to fight this disease. Just as people are dealing with the pandemic, the citrus industry is dealing with a pandemic of its own – […]

Injured manatee rehabilitated by SeaWorld released into Orange River

One particular Florida manatee is going home for the holidays. A team released the manatee in Lee County Monday morning in front of an eager audience. The young female manatee with boat strike injuries was rescued in Oct. by FWC near the Fort Myers Beach pier. The team at SeaWorld rehabilitated it and gave this manatee […]