Take a stroll through the ill-fated Cross Florida Barge Canal’s history on ‘The Island’ in Ocala

Ocala, Fl. – Part of the Florida Barge Canal – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by TAMMY M JOHNSON In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon halted the Trans Florida Barge Canal’s construction in response to environmentalist protests, putting an ill-fated scheme that had been conceived decades before to an end. Since the advent of the Spanish

This small Florida city is a top U.S. summer destination on Airbnb and has more canals than Venice

Cape Coral, Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by John Mantell Craving a relaxing gondola ride down a Venetian canal, but don’t want to fly all the way to Italy this summer? Try Cape Coral, Florida, instead. This small Florida city has over 400 miles of canals, more than anywhere else in the world–including Venice.

History of the Cross Florida Barge Canal

Cross Florida Barge Canal – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Fsendek The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway follows the same path as the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal. Despite never reaching completion, the tremendous public works project has a long history.  Had it been finished, the Cross Florida Barge Canal would have spanned all

Sharks take refuge in Florida canal as red tide outbreaks continue to strike Florida

Chasing Sharks – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Matt Reston Hundreds of coastal sharks have migrated to a Florida canal, taking refuge to escape the catastrophic effects of a toxic red tide outbreak that has already killed hundreds of tons of marine animals.  Buttonwood Harbor residents on Longboat Key have recorded strange footage of blacktip,

A new airport has the potential to boost a rural Florida community’s economy. Is the labor force prepared?

Airport – Courtesy: Peter Titmuss – Shutterstock An estimated $300 million in freight hubs, the new “Airglades” airport is expected to alter the economy of one of the poorest counties in Florida. The project, which could create more than 1,400 new, highly trained employment in this mostly agricultural region on the border of the Everglades,

Manatees in Florida have an addiction to power plants. Researchers are easing them off

Manatees — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lukasz Machowczyk Manatees in Florida were driven from warm springs to power plants by pollution. Their new built homes are disappearing as the state moves toward renewable energy. On the Gulf Coast of the state, close to Apollo Beach, the huge, gray, barnacled Florida manatees idly float close

Save the date! Central Florida will host the biggest festivals and events in 2024

Florida Strawberry Festival, Central Florida Ticket Counter — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: EWY Media New year, fresh experiences to create! The plethora of events in Central Florida is the greatest thing about being a resident! Here’s a list of some of the biggest festivals and events that will be held in Central Florida this

Florida’s manatee mating season is in full swing – Here’s what to know

Manatee eating — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: somdul A Florida’s sheriff office has a special manatee-related message for concerned county residents: “If you see [manatees], no you didn’t,” the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Largo, Florida, about 20 miles from Tampa, wrote in a Facebook post accompanied by Marvin Gaye singing Let’s Get It

World’s Best Places 2023: Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida, USA downtown city skyline over the Hillsborough River – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ESB Professional While a cutting-edge, multi-billion dollar landmark development project redefines its downtown, Florida’s city of the moment is anxious to secure a permanent place on travelers’ lists of sunny, accessible getaways deserving of a weekend stay. Phase one

A new trail in Florida will link two U.S. national parks

View of the lighthouse at Biscayne National Park – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by nyker Only 20 miles of road separate the huge inland swamp of Everglades National Park from the coastal sanctuary of Biscayne National Park on Florida’s east coast, but up until now, traveling between nature reserves required a car or–for bicyclists and