Category: Nature
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Monarch Butterflies Added to the Endangered Species Red List
Ecology Florida August 2022 by Monica Starr The monarch butterfly embarks on an annual migration which can reach up to 2,800 miles from southeast Canada to central Mexico [1]. These beautiful insects have two pairs of orange-red wings with black veins and distinguishing white spots along the edges. The males have black dots along the…
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Giant African Snail Infestation in Pasco County
It was confirmed on June 23rd that a Giant African land snail was present in Pasco County. The recent snail sighting was discovered by a Master Gardener in the New Port Richey area near Massachusetts Avenue and Rowan Road [1]. This first snail confirmed was nearly eight inches long which is about the maximum size…
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Earth Day History in Florida
by Monica Starr April 2022 An Ecology Florida Feature Every year, April 22nd represents the start of the modern environmental movement. Since 1970, we have been celebrating the planet while providing a voice to the environmental concerns here in the United States. Today, there are almost 200 countries around the world that are engaged with…
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Manatees Continue to Struggle Here in Florida
by Monica Starr February 2022 Along the Atlantic coast, Florida manatee mortalities continue to increase and organizations like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are currently investigating why. Similarly, various environmental conditions in the Indian River Lagoon are also of concern. It is extremely important to…
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Flamingos: Native or Snow Birds?
by Monica Starr An Ecology Florida Feature February 2022 Like many residents of the state, flamingos were once thought not to be native Floridians. There are six species of flamingos worldwide, but only the American flamingo is native to North America. These bright pink birds can be four to five feet tall and have thriving…
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The Importance of the Florida Everglades When Battling Climate Change
by Monica Starr An Ecology Florida Feature January 2022 A recent Everglades Coalition Conference outlined the problems in South Florida related to climate change. There are some important facts to highlight from this conference including the fact that sea levels will rise more quickly in Florida than other coastal areas. Similarly, as a state we…
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Songbird Plague: Is Florida Next?
by Dell deChant Special Report to Ecology Florida News How are the songbirds doing in your community? Although not widely reported, birds are dying at an alarming rate along the eastern seaboard. The cause of the plague is not known. Ecology Florida News is asking readers to report on the status of birds in and…
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Brevard County Oak Tree Removal: A Controversial Plan
by Monica Starr On Thursday night, Brevard County officials explained their upcoming plans to remove roughly 30 oak trees on Rockledge Drive. Starting as early as August 18th, this removal process will began and it comes with reimbursements to the residents to plant new trees on this scenic road if they would like. These reimbursements…
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Manatee Deaths Soar in Florida
by Monica Starr The state of Florida has described the high number of manatee deaths an “unusual mortality event.” These herbivorous marine mammals can often be found in the central and south Atlantic coast of Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or the FWC has reported nearly 650 manatee deaths from January 2021…
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Laurel Wilt – Bay Tree Deaths: Surprising Losses in New Port Richey
Laurel Wilt, Bay Tree Deaths: Surprising Losses in New Port Richey Dell deChant Chair, Environmental Committee, City of New Port Richey Citizens of New Port Richey, Florida, in the southwest corner of the Springs Coast Watershed, may have recently noticed an unusually large number of dead and dying trees, some of which are huge, once…