WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The Alachua County Commission adopted the ordinance amendments in April to help preserve county water sources like springs, lakes, creeks and the aquifer.
Read More »Community Brainstorms Ideas to Help Prepare for Alachua County Fertilizer Ban
As Planet Heats Up, Scientists Race To Save Reefs
Over the last year, the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering has put together a team to find ways to protect dying coral reefs. These solutions range from gene editing to manipulating clouds.
Read More »With Weather Extremes Projected For Jacksonville, Elected Officials Cool To Aggressive Climate Action
By Brendan Rivers & Ayurella Horn-Muller for Climate Central In September of 2017, flooding caused by Hurricane Irma destroyed the house that Tom Davitt was renting on Jacksonville’s Westside and wrecked tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of his uninsured possessions. “I rolled out of bed because I thought it was my alarm, and it was a tornado warning. And I stepped into a foot and a half of water,” the 56-year-old yacht broker said in February. “I’m basically starting all
Read More »Sandy Soil And Rising Seas Spell Septic Tank Disaster In Florida
By Brendan Rivers Communities across Florida are already grappling with aging septic tanks, which leak into groundwater and are considered a leading cause of toxic algae blooms. As sea level rise is expected to worsen that situation, the state and cities are beginning to tackle the expensive task of converting septic systems to sewer or newer septic technologies. It’s no small challenge. Floridians are estimated to be using 2.6 million septic systems, most of them the conventional variety with two
Read More »Young Leaders for Wild Florida Fight Against Proposed Phosphate Mines
A group of young people spoke in front of the Alachua County Commission on Tuesday in order to fight in opposition to a proposed phosphate mine in southeastern Union County and in western Bradford County. HPS Enterprises is the company behind the HPS II phosphate mining project. It is made …
Read More »The Point, June 4, 2019: What Is The Cabot-Koppers Superfund Site’s Future? No One Yet Knows
It's been almost a year since Alachua County announced it was considering the Cabot-Koppers Superfund as a possible location for the new county fairgrounds.
Read More »A Year Later: No Progress Or Visible Changes From Newnans Lake Improvement Initiative
One year after the Newnans Lake Improvement project, which was intended to monitor water flow and filter out pollutants, was set to begin, residents have yet to see any progress.
Read More »New Sustainable Urban Development Survey Seeks Gainesville’s Opinion
Gainesville's canopy has grown smaller and smaller over the past decade. Some researchers are looking to the public to learn how they feel about this and what can be done to improve the city.
Read More »What’s The Future Of Sunscreen In Florida? Environmentalists And Doctors Burn In Disagreement
Dermatologists disagree with a Senate bill prohibiting the sale of sunscreen containing chemicals that could pose a threat to coral reefs. Similar bills have already been passed by Hawaii's state legislature and The Key West City Commission.
Read More »A Drowning Subdivision Reaches For The County’s Help As Hurricane Season Approaches
The Hills of Santa Fe consistently suffers extreme flooding, especially during hurricane season. Residents are lobbying the county commission to make changes before it happens again.
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