Year: 2013
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FEATURE: Make Meadows Not Lawns for Honey Bee Colony Health
Scott P. Roberts The honey bee is just one of the many kinds of bees endemic to Florida. However, it is the most important bee to Florida agriculture and to that of the United States as a whole. The honey bee is credited with approximately 85% of the pollinating activity necessary to supply about one-third…
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FEATURE: Waking Up to the Demise of the Indian River Estuary
Written by Scott P. Roberts My earliest memory of Florida is waking up to the view out a window of the Holiday Beach motel on Seaway Drive in Ft. Pierce. A gleaming white ship was passing just outside, moving quickly and quietly. As it glided out of sight my focus jumped to its white foam…
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The Natural Price For The Florida Dream: Life In The Indian River Estuary
For many, life in Florida would seem incomplete without rich green golf courses and lush front lawns. That’s because along with the astronomical population growth the state has seen since 1950 has come the heavy use of fertilizers. Much of this history has also been marked by the use of septic systems for removing sewage…
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EDITORIAL: Florida’s Disenchantment of the Humanities-The Ecological Impact
The humanities in any of its various disciplines could not possibly prepare someone for a useful occupation. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, and CEOs are not interested in nor have any use for an education in the humanities. This has lately become the dominant opinion of the humanistic enterprise. There are no verifiable benefits and for first…
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OP/ED: Blue Gold: Reflections on the Condition of Florida’s Natural Springs
Written by Stephan Hoda Have you ever seen a Florida spring? The Sunshine State is home to roughly 1,000 natural springs, making it the largest concentration on earth. Yet, I often find my friends and colleagues are unfamiliar with these natural gems. “You’re missing out,” I’ll say, enthusiastic to share a story or recommendation. To…
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FEATURE: 400
Special to Ecology Florida News Did you miss it? Early last month, atmospheric carbon dioxide topped 400 parts per million (PPM). With some notable exceptions, major news sources gave it light coverage. Admittedly, its significance is largely symbolic – although there is a correlation between increasing atmospheric carbon and more intense weather phenomena, including the…
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OPINION: A European’s Perspective on Consumerism in Florida: Too Cold, Too Wasteful
Written by Kathrin Kohle I have visited America a couple of times, and I always enjoy my stay. But whenever I’m here, the same things bother me — the waste of resources, especially energy and recyclables. My experience of American wastefulness of energy and recyclables is illustrated in a recent shopping experience. When I head…
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Join us for City of New Port Richey’s Third Annual Earth Day Extravaganza
Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20. The City of New Port Richey’s Environmental Committee is hosting its third annual Earth Day event in the breezeway between City Hall and the Public Library. We will be there from 10 am to 2pm with information about living sustainably in our community. We will…
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Dealing with Climate Change Deniers: Go With the Flow (Chart)
“Climate Change is a hoax!” Ecologists of all types have certainly heard this claim more than once. Too many times, some of you may be saying. The assertion surfaced in the last presidential campaign, when Republican candidate, Rick Santorum, used the terms “hoax” and “bogus” to characterize global warming and climate change. Santorum was following…
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City of New Port Richey Adopts New Urban Farm Ordinance
Congratulations to the City of New Port Richey on the its new urban farm ordinance! With the approval of the City Council on February 19, 2013, New Port Richey joins a relatively select (but growing) group of Florida municipalities with formal ordinances permitting farming on private property. Notably, the New Port Richey ordinance allows for…