Category: Nature
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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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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…
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Recommended: Four Steps to Less Wasteful Communities
If you live in a neighborhood that happens to provide a “single stream” or “single-sort” recycling program, you’ve no doubt questioned its effectiveness. What paramount of modern technology could possibly sort and separate paper, plastic, metal, and glass? Frank Korten, upon the transition of his town from source separation to single stream, had the same…
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Recommended: FDA Quietly Pushes Through Genetically Modified Salmon Over Christmas Break
In case you missed it, the US FDA released official reports the last week of December approving AquaAdvantage Salmon for both breeding and consumption. A suspiciously advantageous time to release the documents, Anthony Gucciardi says, due to the inattentiveness of the general public because of the Christmas holiday. If you missed this news as many…
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FEATURE: Cow Pots Debut at New Port Richey Market
Just in time for Florida’s Fall growing season, The Market Off Main (6241 Lincoln Street, 34652) in New Port Richey now has in stock organic starter pots for the local gardener. These starter pots for seeds are made from 100% renewable composted cow manure. In a cooperative agreement with Ecology Florida, Market Off Main in…
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Tara 14 and Citrus Greening: Strengthen the Plant or Destroy the Disease
When the human immune system is healthy and operating effectively and efficiently, exposure to bacteria will not generally trigger a reaction but if the immune system is compromised, the bacteria can cause negative impacts to the body. The Florida citrus industry is experiencing the impacts of a bacterial infection. The immune systems of citrus trees…
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FEATURE STORY: Surprise! Florida Dead Last in 2012 Locavore Index
Well, maybe it is not such a surprise after all. In a new national assessment of local-sourced food opportunities, Florida comes in at the very bottom. The assessment was developed by Strolling of the Heifers, a Vermont-based sustainable food community, which is dedicated to protecting family farms and promoting locavorism. It is kind of a…