Author: EcologyFlorida
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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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Percy vs. Goliath – A Film “Roundup”
by Jamale Stanley “Percy Vs Goliath” is based on the events that unfolded between farmer Percy Schmeiser and the multi-billion-dollar agrochemical company, Monsanto. (Monsanto has been dissolved since being acquired by Bayer in 2018 and folded into the crop science division). The catalyst to this confrontation was the patented canola plants that grew in Schmeiser’s…
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Have Yourself An Environmentally Friendly Holiday Season
by Monica Starr December 2021 As the holiday season quickly approaches, we find ourselves looking for unique and thoughtful gifts for our loved ones. During this time of the year, it is important to remember what the holiday season is truly about and the fact that our actions continue to impact our environment. Giving gifts…
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Leaf Blowers: More Harm Than Good & Five Reasons to Let Them Go
by Dell deChant Lately there has been a spate of articles in big-time publications about gas-powered leaf blowers and their harm to the environment. The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New Haven Register, Audubon Magazine, and Yale Climate Connections all have recently weighed in on the topic. Of course, leaf…
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What Can Winter the Dolphin Teach Us About Our Impact?
by Monica Starr November 2021 Last week, our beloved dolphin friend, Winter died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The story of this magical creature was inspiring to many people all over the world. After losing her tail because of a crab trap line, Winter was rehabbed at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. With help from the…
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Build Back Better: What Does it Mean for Clean Energy?
The Build Back Better Plan: What Does that Mean for the Future of Clean Energy? November 2021 by Monica Starr Monica Starr is an intern with Ecology Florida, serving as the Public Communications Facilitator for Ecology Florida News. Monica is a graduate student at the University of South Florida studying Global Sustainability. A few weeks ago,…
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Red Tide Rises Again: The 2021 Story
by Monica Starr An Ecology Florida Feature If you are a Florida resident, you have heard about the harmful algae blooms taking over the gulf beaches this summer. These blooms of algae consist of small marine microorganisms known as Karenia brevis [1]. Most recently, these dangerous organisms have flourished in the Tampa Bay area, creating…
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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…