John’s Pass 'beach' to be removed as $1.5M dredging project begins to improve safety

A familiar but controversial stretch of sand at John’s Pass is about to disappear as crews start a major dredging project aimed at improving safety and restoring water flow through the busy channel.

Artificial reef's success allows for cleaner water and healthier environment for Palmetto Bay

Florida waterways draw visitors from all over to enjoy recreational boating, fishing and swimming. Keeping those waterways healthy becomes a tough job as overuse and storms can leave pollution and other impurities in the water. 

Artificial reefs bring life back to Florida waters
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Oysters have clustered to form an artificial reef, helping to clean and improve the water quality in Palmetto Bay.

Controversial weed killer dicamba approved for some GMO crops: What to know

The EPA has reapproved a controversial weed killer for use on two genetically modified crops. Environmentalists fear the chemical will drift and destroy nearby farms, as it has in the past.

Severe drought conditions prompt a 'Stage 2 Drought Warning' for Tampa Bay area

Residents across Tampa Bay are being asked to significantly cut back on water usage as regional supplies dwindle under the weight of an intensifying drought, which has triggered a “Stage 2 Drought Warning.”

Florida looks to detect crop disease early with drones, AI as nation’s 3rd celery producer

As the nation’s third-leading producer of celery, Florida’s celery fields are valuable crops in the winter but susceptible to early blight disease, which can lead to costly losses. 

Sarasota County’s land acquisition program that’s protected 42,000 acres returning to ballot in November

As new development continues in Sarasota County, pieces of vital land are being preserved, not only for nature preserves and spots for residents, but also pieces of environmentally sound land. 

Plant City farmers sacrificing this week’s harvest to save strawberry season — here’s why

Walking through the rows at Parkesdale Farms, grower Gary Parke sees the vibrant red berries nearly ready for picking. But by this time next week, those specific berries will likely be gone.

MN Boundary Waters: US House revokes mining ban in Superior National Forest, vote moves to Senate

Lawmakers at the U.S. House of Representatives voted to lift a federal ban on mining in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, setting up another vote in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Proposed cruise port near Sunshine Skyway sparks environmental concerns in Manatee County

A cruise terminal operating company, SSA Marine, in partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC, has announced plans for a privately funded cruise port on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen tract, located on the Gulf side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Hillsborough County working to build arborist workforce — why it’s important

Friday is Florida Arbor Day, which is why Hillsborough County is hosting a workshop focused on growing trees — and the workforce that tends to them.

Get out into the wilds of the waterways of the West Coast for this cruise

On the East Coast of Florida, as the Loxahatchee River runs to the Atlantic Ocean, the river delta is built up and called the Jupiter Inlet Colony.