Will Florida have a new state bird? Three bills were filed in Tallahassee to replace Mockingbird

Mockingbird – Courtesy: Image by Bonnie Taylor Barry TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Mockingbird has been Florida’s state bird since 1927, and now 94 years later, the Sunshine State has filed three bills to change it. In September, Tampa State Senator Jeff Brandes filed Senate Concurrent Resolution “rescinding the designation of the mockingbird as the state

Florida citrus industry sees a difficult season for growers

Citrus Plantation – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by SchnepfDesign Florida’s citrus industry is expected to have one of the lowest production years in decades as it continues to struggle with devastating disease and issues. In the first forecast for the 2021-2022 growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated a nearly 11% drop in orange

The top 5 most popular camping areas in Florida

Camping Area – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Prapat Aowsakorn The Sunshine State has always been the perfect destination for a beloved beach vacation, but many seem to forget that Florida has more to offer than theme parks and beaches! The camping travel trend is on the rise with the number of first-time campers skyrocketing,

Florida eradicates giant snail that can eat houses and give humans meningitis

Giant African Land Snail – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Kurit Afshen Despite its small size of 8-inches, it’s a master of disaster. This snail can give you meningitis all while eating the stucco off your house. But it has officially been eliminated from Florida once again.  On Wednesday, officials announced that the giant African

Five things we can do to save the Sunshine State’s animal, the endangered Florida panther

Endangered Florida Panther – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by jo Crebbin So far this year, 24 endangered Florida panthers have died, an average of more than one death a week. Eighteen of these panthers have died on roadways. Currently, only an estimated 120 to 230 adult Florida Panthers roam the Earth, and they are all

Florida man strikes again! Neighborhood Army veteran catches alligator in trash can outside his Florida home

“Florida man,” a popular phrase across the internet due to the wild things that happen in the Sunshine State, strikes again, and this time it involves a scuffle between an alligator, a man, and a trash can. In an extremely viral video, 26-year-old Eugene Bozzi is seen approaching a scary-looking alligator with an open trash

South Florida makes a major difference on International Coastal Cleanup Day

Trash Beach Cleanup South Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Serenethos Over the past weekend, South Florida joined a global effort to remove tons of trash and debris from our waterways and oceans on International Coastal Cleanup Day.  The mission was launched by the Ocean Conservancy nonprofit 36 years ago and has grown incredibly.

Western states are looking to Florida for wildfire prevention

Wildfire — Courtesy: Image by My Photo Buddy from Shutterstock Eight of California’s biggest wildfires have occurred in the last year. Now, reports are showing that those battling fires are looking to Florida for new solutions in wildfire prevention. Back in May, flames began to spread quickly through a pine forest located in the Sunshine

International Manatee Day — Experts look for help as Florida species suffers

Manatee Close Up — Courtesy: Image by Andrea Izzotti from Shutterstock International Manatee Day is recognized around the world on Sept. 7.  In Florida, catching a glimpse of a West Indian manatee, a mating pod, or even a group of manatees is extremely common. The manatee has been going through a rough year, with the

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