North Florida’s springs have suffered the consequences of residential and agricultural development for decades, environmental experts say. Recent conditions have prompted spring scientists and preservation groups to raise concerns over the state’s water supply and quality.

North Florida flat, rural cattle pastures — longtime dumping grounds of South Florida’s sewage sludge — will close their gates to feces-filled trucks by 2028. That’s owing to a provision of Florida’s Farm Bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March.

Several area organizations were raisisng awareness of the threats to Florida’s springs on Saturday at the third annual Santa Fe Springs Celebration.

As temperatures rise across North Central Florida, more snakes are starting to appear in backyards, sidewalks and sometimes even inside homes. But before panic sets in, experts say most of these encounters are nothing to fear.

About 775 tons of trash arrive at Alachua County’s Leveda Brown Environmental Park & Transfer Station every day. Electronic waste, including discarded phones and laptops, is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world.

Tussock moth caterpillars are creating a seasonal buzz in the region. While the insects are native to North America, Gainesville’s environment helps them thrive.

Regulators have tried to fix algae problems in the region’s springs by focusing on nitrogen, but newly published testing results suggest successful restoration will need to consider snails, fish and other algae eaters, too.

Florida black bears are getting more active — and hungry — as the weather warms up.

Zero Waste Gainesville’s 7th annual Zero Waste Week, which runs through April 4, is designed to show residents where their waste actually ends up and how to reduce it.

Florida Springs Institute director discusses what the removal of continuous nitrate monitors from 13 Outstanding Florida Springs means for research and the health of the springs.