DeSantis abandons the contentious state parks proposal in response to political and public outcry

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by YES Market Media Following significant political and public outcry, Gov. Ron DeSantis is rescinding his administration’s plans to add golf courses, pickleball courts, and 350-room hotels to Florida state parks, at least for the time being. DeSantis made his first comments since the state’s intentions

DeSantis plan to create state parks faces another obstacle with the withdrawal of a golf course backer

Governor of Florida at Ron DeSantis Press Conference – Courtesy: Shutterstock-Photo by YES Market Media Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to develop public parks with commercial endeavors, such as golf courses, pickleball courts, and massive hotels, is facing strong resistance from all political stripes. However, a major backer has stepped out, putting the plan on hold.

Four Idyllic Small Towns Along Florida’s Gulf Coast

Perdido Key, Florida Gulf Coast — Courtesy: Shutterstock — George Dodd III The Gulf Coast is many things to many people, from manatees and leisurely swimming in iridescent waters to visiting state parks and museums. Amazing fishing, golfing, and dining can be found along the Gulf Coast, which stretches from western Florida to the border

In Florida, the sea turtle breeding season starts along the coast

Sea Turtle Hatchlings – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Kjersti Joergensen Wildlife officials would like to remind both Floridians and visitors that everyone contributes to the protection of sea turtles, as it is officially sea turtle breeding season. Many kinds of threatened and endangered sea turtles nest along Florida’s shores between the month of March

Two excavating in a Florida park covertly turned out 224 historical relics

Withlacoochee River Florida Scenic Landscape – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Essence of a Memory The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that when Florida wildlife officials discovered relic hunters unlawfully excavating in the Withlacoochee State Forest, hundreds of historic objects were retrieved. 224 “indigenous artifacts” in total were discovered, according to a press

New laws in Florida that will take effect on January 1, 2024

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs new laws — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Hunter Crenian The Florida Legislature adopted many bills, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed them into law. Among these are amendments to current laws about bail and pretrial release. Another law transfers Department of Children and Families (DCF) child protection investigations from seven sheriff’s offices. 

Florida’s water temperatures rise above 100 degrees as some reefs experience a huge coral bleaching disaster

Aerial view of coral reefs in the Florida Keys – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Bertl123 As a catastrophic bleaching catastrophe and die-off due to high ocean temperatures sweep across reefs in the Florida Keys, an urgent rescue effort is underway to preserve Florida coral species from extinction. Coral experts told CNN that a terrible

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

Florida public libraries and Florida State Parks team up to launch The Real Florida Reader program

Located in Florida, Ichetucknee Springs State Park – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Joanne Dale This summer, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida State Parks and its partners will extend outdoor access for all Floridians through the Real Florida Program. Through a collaboration between the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information

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,