Environment

Four schools around Marion County are still dealing with the effects of last week’s bad weather. WUFT-FM’s Briana Rittersporn says sinkholes are popping up around the school grounds. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/SINKHOLES-WRAP2.mp3] Howard Middle School Principal Robert Hensel says the sinkholes on his campus are secure and guarded against students by barriers. An …

Over the years, the Florida Springs have become a hot issue with concerns of their continuous degradation. H.T.Odom Florida Springs Institute Director and Professor Bob Knight talks with WUFT-FM’s Alyssa Averette about the increasing nitrate levels and the threats caused to the Springs. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/KnightQA.mp3] Knight: There’s a very widespread reduction in flows in …

The Florida Green Party hosted an anti-nuclear energy event on Friday afternoon. At the event, alternative energy sources, as well as different energy policies were scheduled for discussion. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chris Peralta spoke with Green Party Spokesperson Michael Canney, and with Progress Energy Spokesperson Suzanne Grant, about the pros and …

A national environmental group has elected Alachua County Environmental Protection Director Chris Bird to be their board of director’s chair.  The National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals works toward helping local government professionals implement environmental policy and compliance. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Katiana Krawchenko spoke with Bird about his goals as the …

Wildfire season may be flaring up as temperatures in North Central Florida begin to cool down. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Catherine Awasthi tell us how wildfire activity is quickly increasing throughout the state of Florida. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FIREWRAP.mp3]

Award-winning Gainesville journalist Cynthia Barnett is calling for a national water ethic.  Barnett, a senior writer for Florida Trend Magazine kicks off a national tour for her new book called “Blue Revolution:  Unmaking America’s Water Crisis” this Sunday, October 2nd at 2:15 at the Matheson Museum in Gainesville.  Proceeds from the sale …

The nearly four-month-old Honey Prairie Fire in Georgia continues to grow. The supervisory refuge ranger at Okefenokee National wildlife refuge Art Webster says safety is their priority. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/JRWebster.mp3] Webster adds that Gainesville residents might experience some smoke by Saturday.

A recent statement from the FDA announced a ban on over-the-counter epinephrine inhalers because of the effects on the environment. This announcement follows the United States decision to ban products containing CFCs, which are in the inhalers. University of Florida Pharmacy Professor Leslie Hendeles says inhalers shouldn’t be sold over-the-counter …

With the fall semester underway, so are the efforts to continue the University of Florida’s zero waste goal by 2015 . As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FMs Jessica Becerra reports, the efforts to go green expand from gator football games to dining hall composts. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/GoGreenWrap.mp3]

For the past few months a variety of musicians have performed at a relatively new venue called the “Prairie Creek Lodge” in Southeast Alachua County off County Road 234. Funds raised from the acoustic music concerts go towards two non-profit organizations which support land conservation efforts in the county—Alachua Conservation Trust …