Project: Blue Ether
A reporting project from WUFT News and the UF College of Journalism and Communications
- Photo by Jennifer Adler
Project: Blue Ether is a reporting and engagement project to explore the stories and science of water in North Central Florida. Project: Blue Ether is funded by the Online News Association.
WUFT News is publishing this multi-week series on water by University of Florida students, led by award-winning environmental journalist and author Cynthia Barnett, who is a visiting professor at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
We are working in partnership with students in public interest communications and telecommunications to explore the use of gaming as a tool to build curiosity among residents about where our water comes from and how we affect it. Come play with us.
Diving Into North Florida’s Water Story
IntroductionTree Ring Record: Recent Southeastern Droughts “A Drop In The Bucket”
The drought of the late 2000s sticks out in many of our memories as particularly severe. But in the scope of history, new tree-ring research shows, that big drought was not very big at all.
Following Florida’s Water: A Gallery
See the PhotosHow Many Straws?
Lack of data on private wells keeps us from knowing how much water we’re pulling from the aquifer, and may be skewing the state’s rosy water-conservation numbers.
How We Use Water
With abundance everywhere we look, many Floridians don’t realize the direct connection between the way we use water above-ground and the aquifer underfoot – and to the springs and other natural waterways
Worry and Hope for North Florida’s Springs
In recent decades, the blue-gem springs have grown tarnished – both water quality and quantity are in decline.
Flushed But Not Forgotten
If you’re flushing wipes down the toilet, think again. Not only are wipes ‘public enemy No. 1’ at the wastewater plant, but they and other non-flushable items also hinder the return of clean water to the environment.