Nature Of Florida
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 49
Water Management District Offers Access to Nearly 70 Recreation Sites
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has published its new, free recreational guide highlighting nearly 70 properties. With its new sleeker design, users can scan QR... — Updated 10/2/2023
Polk County Seeks Volunteers to Guide Lake Access
Polk County commissioners are looking for volunteers who would like to serve on the county's Lake Access Advisory Committee. The LAAC studies how to increase public access to Polk... — Updated 9/27/2023
Florida Natural History Museum Works to Preserve Endangered Andean Birds
A team of researchers from Florida is making a significant contribution to the survival of a number of bird species endangered by deforstation in their Andean home. Birds native to... — Updated 8/22/2023
Polk County Accepting Environmental Land Nominations for Purchase or Conservation Easements
Polk County's Environmental Land's program is opening the process for accepting site nomination forms from landowners beginning August 1. A 2022 voter-approved referendum created... — Updated 8/8/2023
How to Deal With Protected Bears in Unexpected Areas
Close on the heels of the recent discovery of a black bear hiding in a tree on the Lake Wailes Trail, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the... — Updated 6/11/2023
Stormwater Management A Major Challenge for Many Local Governments
It's raining hard. You need to get to an important appointment. You're halfway to your destination when you hit a roadblock. The intersection is flooded, wind gusts have downed... — Updated 5/9/2023
Polk is Subject to Tornadoes Both Winter and Summer - Here Are Some Safety Tips
Did you know that, according to Florida State University's Climate Center, Florida is the state with the most tornadoes per 10,000 square miles? This means that, while other states... — Updated 5/2/2023
Endangered Florida Panther Sighting in Lake Wales
APRIL 21 - A Florida panther, an endangered and protected species, has been seen in Lake Wales overnight and during the early morning hours of Friday, April 21. The big cat was seen... — Updated 4/26/2023
Endangered Florida Panther Spotted in Lake Wales Area
An endangered Florida panther, a rare, protected species, has been seen by several members of the public in the vicinity of Lake Wales Country Club. Area residents are encourage to... — Updated 4/21/2023
Summer Lightning Season is Approaching - Know How to Stay Safe
Florida has long been known as the lightning capital of the United States. In 2022, Polk County led the way in central Florida with 285 lightning strikes per square mile. Lightning... — Updated 4/19/2023
Call Before You Dig Is Good Advice for Residents
With warmer temperatures and April kicking off the best time of year to plant, spring means more people are heading outdoors to upgrade their landscaping, install a fence and overal... — Updated 4/5/2023
Volunteers Needed to Watchdog County Environmental Lands Program
Following voter approval of Polk Foever, a new 20-year environmental land tax passed last November, Polk County is reactivating its long-standing citizen's committee that... — Updated 2/7/2023
Invasive Snakehead Fish a New Threat to Florida
A population of non-native aggressive, air-breathing fish known as the goldline snakehead (Channa aurolineata) was documented for the first time in the Gulf Coast region, according... — Updated 1/24/2023
District Asks Homeowners to "Skip a Week" of Irrigation this Winter
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" or more of watering during the cooler months of January... — Updated 1/10/2023
Polk Seeks Volunteers to Direct Lake Access
Polk County commissioners are looking for volunteers who would like to serve on the county's Lake Access Advisory Committee. The Lake Access Advisory Committee studies how to... — Updated 12/27/2022
Several Polk Environmental Lands Sites Reopen to the Public
Several Polk County Environmental Lands sites have reopened to the public following Hurricane Ian, including Crooked Lake Prairie, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Gator Creek Reserve, Hickor... — Updated 10/5/2022
Hurricane Ian Closes All Polk Environmental Lands Closed Effective Monday
In preparation for the approaching storm, all Polk County Environmental Lands sites and Natural Resources Stormwater Treatment Wetlands will be closed Monday, September 26, 2022... — Updated 9/26/2022
Plenty of Floridians Enraptured by Migration's Many Mysteries
As Floridians say goodbye to Swallow-tailed Kites for the year, we get ready to welcome a new wave of visitors on their cross-continental journey. Be on the lookout for a host of... — Updated 8/26/2022
Florida's Butterflies Have Their Special Appeal
There's nothing quite like a bird in flight but Florida's butterflies have their own appeal. Over 190 butterfly species have been recorded in Florida, the most of any state east of... — Updated 8/20/2022
Learn to Attract Florida Wildlife to Your Property
If you are a lover of nature and wildlife, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would like to invite you to learn how to attract wildlife to your yard by planning... — Updated 8/4/2022
Polk Forever Seeks Artists To Honor, Support Land Preservation in Juried Show
Depictions of the beauty and diversity of Polk's county-managed environmental preserves are the focus of a juried art competition being organized by Polk Forever, a local... — Updated 6/29/2022
Avoid Overwatering Your Lawn During the Rainy Season
Did you know that over-watering can weaken your lawn's roots, and stimulate the growth of fungus and other lawn diseases? Despite near-daily rains during the summer, many residents... — Updated 6/19/2022
Cigarette Waste and Plastic Pollution Threaten Florida's Health, Envirionment
(NAPSI)-It's likely you see one of the most common sources of plastic pollution everyday-on the ground, in parking lots, in gutters or at the beach-cigarette butts. This is not... — Updated 5/25/2022
University of Florida Researchers Use Butterflies as Tools
Researchers from the University of Florida are using butterflies as a way to measure the health of ecosystems in a new effort that may have far-ranging uses. In 2017, a group of sci... — Updated 5/6/2022
Florida Celebrates the Protected Gopher Tortoise
Florida celebrates a special day for gopher tortoises for very important reasons. The gopher tortoise plays a significant role in many of Florida's ecosystems and deserves our recog... — Updated 3/31/2022