Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System's respiratory forecast showed Friday that Nokomis Beach has moderate respiratory irritation risk, and low risk in North Jetty and Venice Beach.

Public lands managed by the South Florida Water Management District in Lee and Collier counties remain so dangerous more than two weeks after Hurricane Ian that, above or below water, the areas will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hearing from a group of turtle enthusiasts that wants new rules to allow people to capture and breed diamondback terrapins. They aren’t endangered but conservationists are worried about their numbers.

The Florida grasshopper sparrow was North America’s most endangered bird, with around 80 left in the wild. The total wild population has jumped to more than 120.

In the next few months, scientists will be monitoring the current, temperature and tropical storm activity, as these factors can shift red tide blooms.

A program through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is aimed at quickly removing privately owned boats that have been abandoned or wrecked.

During an appearance at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the governor expressed support for budget items aimed at helping manatees.

The virus is deadly for birds, but humans aren’t necessarily at risk for infection despite one case in Colorado.

The hope of the 35-acre pilot program is to find a way to successfully clear a body of water, or parts of it, of hyacinth without using chemicals or other extreme measures.

Mechanical harvesters will be used to collect invasive floating plants and the plants will then be processed and pumped to nearby hayfields to enhance soil.

The Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program says reporting horseshoe crab sightings provides valuable information about habitat use, population distribution, and environmental conditions for nesting.

The alligator had been a popular curiosity among kayakers and paddleboarders in Silver Springs State Park, where it was often seen lounging in the sun along the banks of the Silver River.