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. But it’s the intermittent and increasing cases of nuisance flooding … Read more
“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 Roman emperor Vespasian taxed the sale of human urine, then a … Read more
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 Earth Day is Sunday, April 22. The Florida Keys & Key … Read more
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 an interesting lecture series, and more let you see the refuges … Read more
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 in capital resources grant funds to improve its pelican pond. … Read more
Why it’s Time again For a Tropical Storm or Two in the Florida Keys. It has been over 4 years since the Florida Keys have seen even a close pass of any hurricanes. It was 2017 since Hurricane Irma and before that 1998 when a hurricane actually hit the Florida Keys. Due to the media, … Read more
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 we will dive under the leaf litter to learn about … Read more
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 manager for the non-profit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust based in … Read more
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 shows that widespread coral bleaching is no longer occurring in … Read more
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 south of Big Pine Key. The sanctuary protects the waters … Read more
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, as well as important in preventing sand dune erosion. Sea … Read more
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 press release. Coralpalooza helps raise awareness for World Oceans Day, … Read more
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 Florida’s Key Largo woodrat. The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma … Read more
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 to juvenile marine species. But now when divers plunge to … Read more
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 of Florida Keys butterflies as you could be. With a … Read more
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” rating, indicating a healthy or improving system. Research for the … Read more
Dr. Jennifer Rehage, fish ecologist and associate professor at Florida International University, has been chasing “gray ghosts” for 15 years trying to tally its declining numbers. She wants to know why bonefish numbers are dropping. She will be sharing what she has learned about bonefish at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the John Pennekamp … Read more
These days, most merry-go-round horses are made from molded fiberglass and plastic. However, in the days when they were carved from wood, most of them were made from gumbo limbo, Bursera simaruba. Gumbo limbo is one of the most recognizable trees in the tropical hardwood hammock of the Florida Keys. Its red, peeling bark has … Read more
Fishing is a key component of the Florida lifestyle as well as the state’s economy. But fishing line and other fishing tackle frequently enter Florida’s aquatic systems as a result of incidental snags or improper disposal. When left in the aquatic environment, fishing line and tackle create potential traps for unsuspecting wildlife that can become … Read more
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is excited to announce an expanded lineup of summer camps. Mote Summer Camp 2017 offers more opportunities for kids to learn about their local waters, from the beautiful Sarasota Bay to the Florida Keys, in a fun and engaging way. Registration is open now for summer camps from June-August. Ages … Read more