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A pine barrens tree frog. The Earth and Florida is a magical home for all of us.
We are all connected by the environment we share. The Earth is our home. This is the space where we share the environmental stories that caught our attention this week, in Florida and beyond.
This week saw Earth Day celebrations around the world. Governor Ron DeSantis marked Earth Day with the announcement that the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board has unanimously approved an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intended to keep the Army Corps on track with federal construction of the long-stalled Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir in Palm Beach County.
And here’s a consumer alert for all you new pandemic parents: “
When parents first serve solid foods to their babies, they often turn to infant rice cereal. The iron-fortified mix is nutritious and relatively easy to feed babies unaccustomed to spoons or strong flavors. But the Food and Drug Administration allows 10 times as much arsenic in this favored first food as it does in other products, like bottled water and apple juice despite the fact that, as a neurotoxin, arsenic can have an outsize impact on babies, whose brains are still developing.” Read more at E & E News. Or, learn about making your own baby food, including from veggies you grow yourself. There are plenty of resources online and in books at your favorite local bookstore.
And, you might only think cow waste contributes to global warming. But guess what? Human waste does too. Hence the “Urgent Global Quest to Transform the Toilet.” Read more at Mongabay.
Finally, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) “invites you to celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day on April 10. This year, you can celebrate gopher tortoises by making your yard tortoise friendly and participating in our new recognition program.” Learn more at FWC’s website.
Read all of WGCU’s environmental coverage here.
Linda Steele/Audubon Photography
Do & Learn
April 12, 2021, How long can two people live on food destined for the trash bin? Find out as the ninth annual “Ding” Darling Film Series wraps up with the documentary
UF Collaborates with Conservation Foundation on Coastal Solutions
Cutting-edge data collection and analysis combine to sustain Florida’s coastal communities
Florida coastal communities need clean water to preserve residential lifestyles, tourism, fishing, and a host of other activities in the Sunshine State. Recognizing the importance of water quality as a significant component of South Florida’s current and future economy and quality of life for its citizens, the University of Florida’s newly established Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS) and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) have entered into a strategic collaboration to address coastal water quality hazards in order to strengthen the resiliency and sustainability of this unique coastal area in Florida.
GPICA welcomes national estuary program speaker
By PAULETTE LeBLANC - | Mar 10, 2021
New board elected officers for 2021 were announced at the March 2 meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association, as well as ongoing discussions from the survey intended to prioritize issues for islanders.
The officers are Helen Fox, president; Nadine Slimak, vice president; Scott Wilkinson, recording secretary; and Mike Sweeney, treasurer.
“My aim as president is to work with the community on issues that you all have identified as most important to Greater Pine Island residents,” said Fox.
According to survey responses, the most important issues are water quality, traffic, over-development and road and waterway safety. These survey results, said Fox, were sent to Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane in an effort to partner with him on tackling some of the issues.