The Research Natural Area (RNA) was designated as an area of special protection within Dry Tortugas National Park in 2007. The RNA was designed to work along with the two existing ecological reserves as a network to protect the shallow water habitats and reef fish...
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May 6, 2018 FKT
Diving, Dry Tortugas, Environment, Parks, Reefs
No Comment
Sunscreen is a necessity for most scuba divers, but not all sunblock is created equal. Some contain an ingredient that’s destroying coral reefs around the world. The evidence is so strong, Hawaii may pass a law banning certain sunscreens. The primary chemical culprit is oxybenzone, an...
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April 28, 2018 FKT
Beaches, Diving, Environment, Reefs
No Comment
The Mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. The term is also used for tropical coastal vegetation consisting of such species. Mangroves occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between latitudes 25° N and 25° S. Mangrove are salt-tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to live in harsh...
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April 21, 2018 FKT
Environment, Plants
No Comment
Wondering how you can help in the fight against the decline of corals? With a new smartphone app called OkCoral, the Coral Restoration Foundation is hoping it can answer that question by turning underwater photographers into a citizen scientists. Florida Reefs The idea behind the app is getting recreational...
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April 19, 2018 FKT
Environment, Reefs
No Comment
When it comes to sea level rise, Key West is pretty much as vulnerable as it gets. The island's average elevation is less than five feet above sea level. A tide gauge at Key West Harbor tracks the steady rising seas over the last century....
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April 4, 2018 FKT
Environment, Key West
No Comment
“It’s kind of a funny thing to say that we would conserve for fish pee,” says study author Jake Allgeier, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington. “But it is hopefully setting a precedent to think about these reefs differently.” Nearly 2,000 years ago, the...
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April 4, 2018 FKT
Environment, Reefs
No Comment
Every day is full of natural wonders throughout the Florida Keys, known for their sweeping, scenic backdrops of earth, sea and sky. Throughout April, Keys visitors and residents can celebrate Florida Keys Earth Day with unique outdoor activities to be experienced only in the Florida Keys. This year’s...
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March 22, 2018 FKT
Environment, Parks, Tourism
No Comment
Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges' Outdoor Fest - March 10-17, 2017 - is a celebration of the unique plant and animal species and rare habitats that are found only in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges. Guided walks, bike rides, kayak excursions, photography workshops, 'Nature Therapy', plus...
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February 18, 2018 FKT
Big Pine Key, Environment, Events, Key Largo
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The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center has been approved for $67,500 in capital resources grant money from the Monroe County Tourist Development Center to improve its pelican pond. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has OK’d the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center request for $67,500...
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December 6, 2017 FKT
Environment, Keys Critters, Tavernier
No Comment
Why it's Time For a Storm or Two in the Florida Keys. It has been over 10 years since the Florida Keys have seen even a close pass of any hurricanes. It was 1998 when the last hurricane actually hit the Florida Keys. Due to...
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August 25, 2017 FKT
Environment, Reefs, Weather
No Comment
Most people are familiar with the group of organisms called fungi, owing to the mushrooms that you can find in grocery stores. In addition to being a delicious ingredient used in many culinary creations, fungi play a very important role in the ecosystem. This week...
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July 14, 2017 FKT
Environment
1 Comment
An organization focused on conserving and restoring bonefish, tarpon and permit populations through research and education has brought on a new leader to oversee its local efforts on the island chain. Last month, Ross Boucek, a Naples native, was hired as the Florida Keys initiative...
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July 8, 2017 FKT
Environment, Fishing
No Comment
After analyzing satellite and model data, NOAA’s experts say coral reefs around the world may finally catch a break from [ Coral Bleaching ] high ocean temperatures that have lingered for an unprecedented three years, the longest period since the 1980s. The latest NOAA forecast...
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July 8, 2017 FKT
Environment, Reefs
No Comment
An underwater concert is set to promote reef protection and entertain divers and snorkelers Saturday, July 8, during the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. The annual event takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately 6 miles...
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July 6, 2017 FKT
Diving, Environment, Events
No Comment
Visitors to the Florida Keys see them as robust shrubs and trees with large, round, fan-like leaves as big as your hand. They’re often seen in road medians, shopping center landscapes and impeccably landscaped yards. To the locals, they’re useful hedges and screens in yards,...
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June 28, 2017 FKT
Environment, Plants
No Comment
In celebration of World Oceans Day, Coral Restoration Foundation is hosting its third-annual Coralpalooza event during the weekend of June 2. The event “aims to bring recreational divers and ocean conservation-minded individuals together to promote coral reef restoration and ocean preservation,” according to the foundation’s...
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May 4, 2017 FKT
Diving, Environment, Key Largo, Reefs
No Comment
One animal that comes readily to mind when you think of the term “laboratory animal” is the venerable rat, a rodent that is as ubiquitous as it is reviled. Not all rats are “guinea pigs” for the lab, however. Some are highly prized for their rarity, such as...
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April 25, 2017 FKT
Environment, Key Largo, Keys Critters
No Comment
Prior to the 1990s the Florida Keys sponge community was a lively underwater city for fish and invertebrates. Curious divers could hear the snap, crackle and pop of snapping shrimp. The noisy bottom was a sign of health for the organisms that provide nursery habitat...
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April 21, 2017 FKT
Environment, Florida Bay
No Comment
Do you love to watch wildlife in your yard, especially birds and Florida Keys Butterflies? Do you often wonder if your home’s landscape attracts them? If your landscape doesn’t have a mix of native trees and shrubs, it’s likely you’re not seeing as many varieties...
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March 22, 2017 FKT
Environment, Keys Critters
No Comment
A new status report on Florida Bay describes the marine seagrass ecosystem as “fairly stable” — at least it was until a massive 2015 seagrass die-off. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s report released this week gives Florida Bay seagrass an overall color-coded “green”...
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March 4, 2017 FKT
Environment, Florida Bay
No Comment
