Environment

Artificial reef project making waves in Hollywood

An exciting new step in the creation of an artificial reef in Hollywood unfolded as Sky 10 captured a barge delivering various structures to create the reef on Thursday.

Controversial Miami tree ordinance felled

Thunderous applause broke out at Miami City Hall Thursday when Commissioner Miguel Gabela withdrew his measure that would change the city’s tree ordinance.

Tegu alert issued after the invasive dog-sized lizard is spotted in Keys

Invasive Tegus eat vulnerable species like the American crocodile, Key Largo woodrat and juvenile gopher tortoises

South Florida hurricane experts warn NOAA cuts could weaken forecasting

The abrupt termination of several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees, including experienced hurricane modelers, has sparked concerns among experts about the agency’s ability to provide accurate storm forecasts.

Biden pledges federal aid for California Wildfires recovery

President Joe Biden met with officials in the Oval Office Friday to discuss the devastation caused by wildfires raging across Los Angeles, which have killed at least 10 people and destroyed more than 10,000 homes and buildings.

Miami-Dade commissioners set to vote on single-use plastics ban on county property

Miami-Dade commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday on a measure aimed at reducing plastic usage countywide.

Miami’s spoil islands reopen with strict anti-litter measures

Miami’s spoil islands were back open for boaters to enjoy on Labor Day, but city police officers were hard at work making sure they didn’t leave any trash behind.

Endangered tree kangaroo emerges at Zoo Miami

An endangered Matchie’s tree kangaroo joey from Papua New Guinea has started peeking out of its mother’s pouch at Zoo Miami.

Once hidden coral reef near South Beach sparks effort for marine park

Just hundreds of feet from the beats and bustle of Ocean Drive is a veritable natural treasure that not many people, including scientists, know is there.

Miami non-profit encourages youth to fall in love with the ocean to protect it

A World Oceans Day celebration on Miami Beach off Collins Avenue and 43rd Street brought out residents from all over South Florida to show their love and reverence for our “Planet Ocean.”

Classmate says trash-dumping teen boaters unfairly scrutinized: ‘Trash happens everywhere’

While many people have expressed outrage over a viral video showing teenagers dumping garbage into the waters off South Florida over the weekend, one of their classmates is sticking up for them.

‘Leave no trace:’ Miami removes spoil island trash cans as part of bold new program

The city of Miami is about to initiate a new strategy to dramatically reduce trash that’s left behind by boaters on the islands of Biscayne Bay. It’s risky and will require all water enthusiasts who enjoy the islands to get on board.

Teen among those on trash-dumpers’ boat speaks: ‘I’m sorry for whatever happened’

One of the teenagers on the boat at the center of a viral video showing trash being illegally dumped into the waters off South Florida said he’s disturbed by what happened.

Outrage over video showing boaters dumping trash, then celebrating: ‘Take the boat and jail them’

State law enforcement officials are investigating after a group of young boaters were caught on camera dumping trash right into the ocean in the waters off South Florida over the weekend — and then celebrating what they did.

Battling infestation of black olive trees across South Florida

For years black olive trees have been a big part of South Florida’s urban forest. While they provide a critical natural canopy in our neighborhoods, they can also be problematic.

Miami-Dade moves forward with ‘Connect 2 Protect’ projects to reduce sewage pollution

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she is “The Water Warrior” as Miami-Dade County’s program to reduce sewage pollution continued to move forward on Thursday.

Explosive report finds PortMiami dredging caused extensive coral reef damage

A new federal report found that a past dredging project at PortMiami caused serious damage to more than 278 acres of sensitive coral reef habitat along the port’s entrance channel.

Environmental advocates challenge South Floridians to go plastic-free this July

You may have heard of “Dry January” or “No Shave November” — but what about “Plastic-Free July”? It’s a challenge each of us can take in order to help protect our planet.

Fort Lauderdale saves nearly $350K after repurposing seaweed into planting soil

As sargassum continues to plague many beaches in South Florida, and around the county, Fort Lauderdale crews are out daily, scooping up the smelly seaweed from the beaches and turning it into soil to save money.

Trap-setting underway after invasive fruit fly found in Davie

State agriculture officials are setting up traps in multiple Broward County communities after an unwelcome visitor made its way into Davie.

Jane Goodall brings message to Miami-Dade: ‘We have a window of time to try and slow down climate change’

World-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall spoke on Friday night at Florida International University in Miami-Dade County.

Publix plants native trees at Coral Springs sanctuary

Last week, more than 7,500 Publix associates, across the grocery store chain’s seven-state operating area, stepped outdoors for the annual, week-long Publix Serves.

‘Cutler Wetlands’ environmental project moves forward at Black Point marina

State and local leaders officially broke ground on a project that aims to help restore the Florida Everglades and Biscayne Bay Tuesday in southern Miami-Dade County.

1 arrested, 3 cited after group caught on camera trashing Biscayne Bay island

Police arrested a southwest Miami-Dade man on a felony charge and cited three others after a group of boaters were caught on camera trashing an island in Biscayne National Park last month.

Hurricane Nicole a ‘warning shot’ over sea level rise, expert says

Widespread flooding and beach erosion from Hurricane Nicole put sea level rise back in the spotlight here in South Florida.

With Biscayne Bay ‘crying for help,’ researchers assess ‘grim’ damage from massive fish kill

After yet another massive fish kill in Biscayne Bay caused by widespread pollution, researchers are working to assess the damage.

Crews work to clean up fuel spill at PortMiami

Just after 2 p.m., the agency tweeted about the spill, saying the responsible party and the local facility were at the scene.

Trapper, wildlife officer hit python jackpot in Big Cypress

A python contractor and a Florida wildlife officer hit the motherlode in Big Cypress National Preserve Monday night, finding two female Burmese pythons, nearly 20 hatchlings and nearly 100 hatched and unhatched eggs amid efforts to rid Florida of the invasive species.

In study, Biscayne Bay oysters come out on top—for toxic ‘forever chemicals’

A Florida International University study looking at the presence of toxic “forever chemicals” in Florida oysters found that oysters from Biscayne Bay contained the highest concentration of contaminants among three sites researchers tested.

After Doral dumping arrests, MDPD director praises those who film environmental crimes

The director of the Miami-Dade Police Department is praising people who film environmental crimes in action after a woman’s cell phone video of a truck dumping dirty water into a Doral lake led to the arrests of two employees in charge of a Cutler Bay company.

Starbucks to push toward reusable cups

Starbucks plans to phase out its iconic coffee cups.

Efforts underway to preserve and restore Florida’s coral reefs

Efforts are underway to help restore and preserve a rare species of native coral in Florida's coral reef.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs Florida Wildlife Corridor Act

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially announced the signing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.

Mysterious situation in Coconut Grove as thousands of expensive fish suddenly die outside several homes

The common denominator is that all the ponds source their water from wells connected to the aquifer.

Florida skunk struts its stuff after the sun goes down

Florida Fish and Wildlife sets up cameras along roadways and is rewarded with animal acrobats.

Not just for Fido, FWC wants to microchip your reptile for free

Florida Fish and Wildlife to hold free microchipping events for reptiles.

Zoo Miami celebrates Florida’s American flamingo conservation on International Flamingo Day

Monday, April 26, is International Flamingo Day, and if there’s anything more quintessentially South Florida (besides coconut trees and sunshine) it’s the American Flamingo. However, what most people don’t know is that the American flamingo hasn’t always been classified as a native species of Florida.

Sea turtle named Sparb released into the ocean on Earth Day after rehab

Sparb the loggerhead sea turtle is back home! In celebration of Earth Day, staff from the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital released a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle back to the ocean off Marathon.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces signing of environmental agreement

At a news conference in Wellington, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the signing of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir’s Project Partnership Agreement.

Earth Day 2021 events in Miami-Dade County

Mother Nature truly blesses Miami-Dade County nearly year-round with warm weather, sunshine, green foliage, warm waters, and more. However, with the threat of global warming and pollution looming near, it is time as Miami residents to do our part — especially on the days leading up to and following Earth Day, April 22.

She’s checked off lists, now she’s saving Miami’s endangered coral reefs

Scuba certified by junior year of high school? Check. Becoming a marine biologist by the age of 25? Easy. Getting featured in a Vice and Refinery 29 feature story for saving South Florida’s endangered coral reefs? Done. We’re talking about Miami resident Maddie Kaufman, and by the age of 26, she’s accomplished all of this and more.

Miami resident picks up nearly 14,000 pounds of trash from Florida mangroves in 100 days

What started as a trash cleanup day in Bear Cut Reserve over three years ago has turned into a massive passion project for a Miami native — and he plans to continue cleaning Miami’s mangroves single-handedly until his body literally cannot anymore.

Zoo Miami staff help discover a brand new spider species in Miami

Zoo Miami staff helped discover a brand new species of large spider in the critically endangered Pine Rockland forest surrounding Zoo Miami.

Saving Biscayne Bay: Researchers worry about risk of another fish kill this summer

On a cool March morning, a research team from Florida International University’s Institute of Environment returned to the waters of Biscayne Bay. The data that was coming from one of the research buoys was alarming.

Boy dubbed Colombia’s ‘Greta Thunberg’ braves death threat with his environmental activism

Francisco Vera was 6 years old when he attended his first protest against bullfighting, which Colombia’s constitutional court later ruled was a tradition that does not fall under the category of animal cruelty. It has been five years since, and his activism now includes campaigns against oil fracking tech and single-use plastics.