Environment
Information and analysis on climate change, water pollution, drought, endangered animals, development on protected lands, and anything else to do with Florida flora and fauna.
Posted inFlorida News
DeSantis signs bill that could block proposed Manatee County cruise ship terminal
“Construction of a new port next door I think struck a lot of people as being unnecessary,” DeSantis said
Posted inNews
Florida bill banning local government ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis
If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1
Posted inNews
Coalition calls on Legislature to address $759M backlog of state park repairs
A coalition of 32 groups and businesses is urging Florida state lawmakers to step up funding for repairs to the Florida State Parks system
Posted inNews
Winter freeze causes more than $3B in Florida agriculture losses
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson described the freeze events as “one of the most damaging” in Florida agriculture history
Posted inNews
New bill would ban cites, counties from enacting climate change policies
The bill says that it is Florida state policy to prohibit the adoption or implementation of “net-zero policies” by government entities
Posted inOrlando Area News
SeaWorld Orlando rescues 16 sea turtles amid cold snap
SeaWorld’s animal care team is providing treatment with the goal of stabilizing and rehabilitating the sea turtles until they are healthy
Posted inNews
Youth climate-change activists redirect focus to opposing AI data centers
Activists are backing legislation that would protect Floridians from being taken advantage of by corporations’ AI data centers
Posted inNews
Florida lawmaker is back with bill promoting water pollution
House Bill 479 is this year’s worst of the worst.
Posted inNews
Bear hunt, land swaps, electric rates: Florida’s environmental year in review
Fifty-two black bears were “harvested” during the 2025 Florida black bear hunt, the first of its kind in a decade, FWC announced this week.
Posted inNews
Video shows police wrestling alligator in Central Florida backyard
Two deputies are seen following the animal from the front porch to the backyard, which the gator got to by ramming open a gate
Posted inNews
Florida cuts number of bear hunt permits to be issued
A commission spokeswoman didn’t give an explanation for the decrease
Posted inNews
Conservation group launches lawsuit against Florida bear hunt
Bear Warriors United argues killing ‘187 bears will cause imminent and irreparable harm to the Florida black bear species’
Posted inNews
Florida approves first bear hunt in a decade despite pushback, potential lawsuit
Opponents announced plans to quickly file a lawsuit to fight the hunt, contending the commission hasn’t followed its own rules about the need to follow a science-based approach
Posted inNews
Two endangered Florida panther kittens struck and killed by vehicle
That brings Florida’s total panther deaths to 12 so far this year
Posted inNews
Florida wildlife officials appear poised to OK the state’s first bear hunt in a decade
The FWC gathers this week in North Florida for a final vote
Posted inNews
Mosaic Fertilizer gets draft permits that could lead to injecting wastewater underground in Florida
Mosaic, a major player in the state’s phosphate industry, applied in early 2024 for approval to drill exploratory wells at sites
Posted inNews
Home construction industries target ruling that requires manatee protections in Florida
Home builders and the septic-system industry say the case has ‘significant implications for home construction and the economy’
Posted inNews
The Sierra Club runs a shuttle for anyone who wants to shut down the Florida bear hunt, and it stops in Orlando
Buses will pick up participants from around the state and bring them to the final FWC meeting
Posted inNews
Florida could clear the way for the first bear hunt in a decade
The 2015 hunt ended after two days, when 305 bears were killed in what was expected to be a weeklong endeavor