Environment Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM

Experts at the National Hurricane Center released their forecast for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. They believe that the total number of storms will be above normal.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports Tampa activists plan to rally against an April executive order by President Trump.

Manatee County leaders voted this week to expand a local nature preserve by purchasing 13 acres of island property.

A new law that limits when police can stop boats on the water also changes rules for protecting Florida’s springs.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Fri. May 23, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports commissioners voted four to one in favor of a black bear hunt during a meeting in Ocala.

More books have been removed from Hillsborough County classrooms in the wake of ramped-up pressure on school district officials by Florida’s Attorney General.

WMNF’s Sarah Goebel reports Children’s Health Initiative at the Juvenile Welfare Board gives children treatment and support for mental health issues.

City council members voted Tuesday to approve a ban on smoking and vaping at public beaches.

Hillsborough County Commissioners passed a motion to repeal an ordinance earmarking millions of dollars for affordable housing.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Thur. May 22, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports housing affordability was a hot topic at this year’s State of Tampa’s Downtown forum due to limited options in the region.

Recover Hardee is one of the organizations helping Hardee County residents rebuild and repair their homes. WMNF’s Madison Overmier reports how Hardee County residents can receive assistance.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is scheduled to consider rules for a Florida black bear hunt to take place in December.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his appointees scrutinize the use of COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Wed. May 21, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Boaters will no longer be stopped by state wildlife officers for random boat-safety inspections, under a bill signed Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Trump administration can revoke the TPS for more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants that
shields them from deportation.

The Gaza Health Ministry says two strikes in northern Gaza hit a family home and a school-turned-shelter, killing mostly women and children.

Manatee County commissioners are trying to undo changes that led to increased development over the years, but they’re facing roadblocks from developers and the state.

The order includes a temporary ban on new septic tanks starting July 17 in northern Indian River Lagoon.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Tue. May 20, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Federal air quality guidance advises seniors and other vulnerable groups around Tampa Bay, to remain indoors today, as air quality is expected to reach “orange” levels on the Air Quality Index. This level, classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” can cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and worsen existing heart or lung conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday announced a broad reorganization as part of the Trump administration’s drive to cut costs that some activists worry will harm the agency’s independent scientific research. Separately on Friday, President Donald Trump unveiled a proposed budget to cut that office’s funding by $235 million.

Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed focus on electric school buses. They say it could improve air quality and children’s health. Leaders spoke to the media this month inside an electric bus in Campbell Park in South St Pete. The park and a neighboring elementary school are located next to a major St. Pete interstate.

As of yesterday, the federal government will restart collections on federal student loans over 270 days past due, ending the last major pandemic-era relief according to the The Tampa Bay Times and Open Campus. Borrowers in default may face wage garnishment, withheld tax refunds, or damaged credit. About 5 million are in default, and 7 million are delinquent.

Pasco Hernando State College President Jesse Pisors resigned ahead of a special trustees meeting Friday

The meeting was called after the school’s board did not receive enrollment data from Pisors, despite asking for it for a year. A report showed that P-H-S-C is one of only three state colleges that has a negative student retention rate — even with the growing populations in Pasco and Hernando counties. The school’s General Counsel – Andrea Brvenik– will serve as acting president. The trustees will hold another special meeting tonight in New Port Richey.

The Scoop producer Josh Holton

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Toni Pham, Josh Holton, Joshua Hightower, Kaitlyn Serafin, Faith Montalvo, Noah Vinsky
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Tues. May 6, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed focus on electric school buses. They say it could improve air quality and children’s health.

Leaders spoke to the media this month inside an electric bus in Campbell Park in South St Pete. 

The park and a neighboring elementary school are located next to a major St. Pete interstate.

Lorna Perez with Moms Clean Air Force says emissions from cars on the road can be harmful. 

“This location is a powerful reminder of why we’re here. To acknowledge our collective responsibility to create communities where everyone has access to clean air,” Perez said.

The leaders are calling on Congress to invest in cleaner, cheaper energy, specifically investments in electric school buses. 

And Ali DySard with the Environmental Defense Fund says the issue has received bipartisan support. 

“It’s not a Republican or a Democratic initiative – electric school buses are great for Florida, great for our local air,” DySard told WMNF.

Governor Ron DeSantis’s Department of Enviromental PRotection purchased over 200 electric buses in 2022 statewide, using funds from a Volkswagen settlement. 

Currently, Pinellas County School District has 20 electric school buses operating district-wide, according to Vice Chair of the Pinellas County School Board Caprice Edmond.

But Edmond said they must do more to reduce emissions. 

“We know that pollution has had an impact on the community. Our minority and low-income neighborhoods often bear the brunt of those impacts.” Edmond said.

They joined with Congress member Kathy Castor to make the call. 

Castor says that to date, the Tampa Bay area has received $14.8 million in federal funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant Program.

The post Environmental advocates call for more electric school buses in Pinellas appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Kate MacFall and Katherine McGill—longtime wildlife experts joining me for a discussion devoted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), specifically, the FWC’s current effort to evaluate existing rules for wildlife trapping—address what for many may be the surprising prevalence of trapping in Florida.

McGill and MacFall go on to speak to the extent to which Florida trapping divides along regional lines, while noting some of the reasons for trapping—legitimate reasons for trapping.

As part of this exchange, McGill mentions that, in sharp contrast to some of these commercial enterprises that trap and haul away wildlife, she co-founded the 411 Wildlife Organization, a new nationwide free public assistance hotline for mitigating wildlife conflicts with assistance from industry experts. That hotline number is 877-WILD-411.

I inquire if there’s a certain cycle or timetable–constitutionally or otherwise–by which the FWC periodically reassesses trapping regulations? Especially given that it’s been 50+ years since the trapping rules last changed…

There is not a proscribed period by which the FWC examines trapping regulations—indeed, this current reevaluation session has already extended long enough that MacFall, McGill, and I did a radio show on the early stages of this very process nearly three years ago.

We explored the official role that MacFall and McGill have stepped into, becoming members of the FWC trap rules reform Technical Advisory Group (TAG), representing the humane wildlife control industry.

They touched on important proposals they made during the TAG procedure, including the need for a so-called “Public Take Permit,” and the rationale behind it. This proposal elicited favorable response from the TAG, but being embraced initially didn’t hold up over time, as “senior staff opted not to pursue it.”

McGill and MacFall described measures by which interested citizens learn more about possible changes in trapping rules –-and weigh in. These include a Webinar/Zoom hosted by Alicia from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Kate MacFall, the Humane World for Animals Director, on April 30 at 6 pm ET.

The FWC will offer virtual public meetings/webinars/Zooms of their own, to review proposed Trapping Rules changes:

Tuesday, May 6th from noon to 3pm.

Thursday, May 8th from 6pm to 9pm,

Saturday, May 10th from 9am to noon.

Search “FWC Trapping Rules 2025” for links to each ZOOM mtg

The post Talking Animals: Two longtime Florida wildlife experts discuss FWC’s current effort to evaluate existing rules for wildlife trapping appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

In Tampa Bay, Florida, there is a non-profit working to slow the growth of constant development, through the protection of natural resources. As green space declines around the world, this movement has become increasingly critical. The Tampa Bay Conservancy focuses on the powerful tool of conservation easements to preserve green spaces and vital ecosystems in the local area. WMNF’s Sustainable Living interviewed Ethel Hanner (president), Jennifer Seney and Rene Wiesner Brown (vice president) on this week’s Sustainable Living. 

Ethel Hammer describes Tampa Bay Conservancy as “a nonprofit organization whose entire purpose is to preserve the natural environment,” utilizing conservation easements to ensure that important natural lands are permanently protected from development. This group of volunteers became an official 501c3 non profit in 2001, starting as a means to complement those already established programs such as [Hillsborough County’s environmental lands program] and to, “perhaps protect land that may not qualify through their programs but still have ecological value.” TBC focuses on land worthy of protection, or in some cases, landowners might just be more comfortable working with a nonprofit, [rather than a local government], so we thought we could fill that land conservation niche.”

TBC uses conservation easements, which are voluntary, legally binding agreements between a landowner, and either a Land Trust organization or government agency. This agreement restricts certain types of development and land use in which the details of each parcel of land is individually negotiated. For example, some easements might allow for limited farming, ranching, or residential use, while prohibiting subdivision or commercial development. This customization makes easements appealing to landowners who wish to maintain traditional land uses while safeguarding their property from incompatible future development and reaping tax benefits. Brown explains, “it’s a way that you can protect your land and still own it.” The easement runs in perpetuity with the land, meaning future owners, whether private, or public, are also bound by the terms of the agreement, providing long-term environmental protection. 

According to the Tampa Bay Conservancy web page, 267 Florida acres are developed every day, along with 800 people migrating to Florida daily, leading to a staggering average of 152 square miles of green space to development each year. However, not all land will qualify to be managed by The Tampa Bay Conservancy. TBC specializes in identifying at-risk lands, and negotiating easements with willing landowners, and ensuring ongoing stewardship. Their work focuses on preserving wetlands, wildlife habitats, watershed areas, and agricultural lands that are under pressure from urban sprawl, not just “one pond in the center of a golf course” 

Currently the Tampa Bay Conservancy manages both public and private land conservation easements, including Yulee Nature Preserve is a 110-acre preserve consisting of bottomland hardwood hammock. The property is located near the Withlacoochee State Forest, which sits adjacent to the Troy Samuel Cumming Nature Preserve which is 6.09 acres of healthy bottomland hardwood hammock forest.  In Riverview, Gibbons Nature Preserve is a 60-acre site with about a 1/2-mile of Alafia River shoreline. Heartwood green burial cemetery is one private Conservation Easement that Tampa Bay Conservancy operates. 

The ecological benefits of conservation easements are significant. In the Tampa Bay region, there are many easements that have helped to maintain wildlife corridors, protect water quality by conserving wetlands and riparian areas, and also preserving open spaces that contribute to climate resilience. By curbing unchecked development, these preserved lands also reduce the risks of flooding and support biodiversity across the region’s delicate coastal and upland ecosystems.

Looking ahead, the role of conservation easements in the Tampa Bay area is vital to protect the remaining green space as the pressure of development consistently increases. With their unique ability to provide permanent protection without requiring public ownership, conservation easements represent a sustainable path forward for landowners. If you are not located in the Tampa Bay area, there are many options nationwide. Rene Wiesner Brown explained that The Land Trust Alliance has a tool called “Find a Land trust,”, which allows you to search and look for the land trust that operates in your area. 

Rene also explains that for private citizens who want the protection that a land trust provides but cannot find one locally, one option is “to create their own organization with land deed restrictions.” It is less important who you use to protect your land from future development, and just vital that you get it done so that future generations are able to enjoy the space. 

Find out more about conservation easements and The Tampa Bay Conservancy at their website.

If you love what we do on Sustainable Living, don’t forget to tune in every Monday at 11am on WMNF 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives. If you’d like to donate to show your support, head over to the donations page and direct your pledge to the Sustainable Living Show.

The post Protecting Tampa Bays green space for future generations through Tampa Bay Conservancy appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

This Earth Day, Floridians from across the state gathered in Tampa to discuss the impact of environmental threats like climate change on marginalized communities.

The event was part of the 1st annual community conference on Environmental Hazards, hosted by the Dr. Walter L Smith Library & Museum.

Legacy was the underlying theme on the first day of the conference.

At the workshop portion of the event, community members like Barbara Smith discussed environmental and social threats to Black communities. 

“I am the beneficiary of what my father left for me. They will be the beneficiaries of what I leave for them. It’s called generational wealth,” Smith said.

Audience members and panelists also talked about property ownership, overdevelopment, conservation, and advocacy.

Dr. Edwardo Williams, a retired physician and community activist, spoke on a climate panel at the event. 

“We’re all in the same fight, ‘cause when the hurricane comes, when the tornadoes come, when the wildfires come -they how much money you got, they don’t care what your nationality is, they don’t care what your race is. They just cause havoc,” Williams said.

He says humans are leaving a legacy of destruction on the earth, and calls for change. 

“I would love to have my great great great great great great great grandkids enjoy the wonderful earth and the wonderful environment we have, but where we’re going right now, I’m in doubt of that,” Williams said.

Organizer and WMNF Host Walter Smith hopes the event will be the first of many in coming years.

 The event runs April 22-23 at the Tampa River Center.  

The post On Earth Day, Floridians discuss the intersection of race and the environment at conference appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Pope Francis has died, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his care for impoverished people, critiques of capitalism, and concern about climate change.

People with disabilities face greater risks as disasters strike. WMNF’s Helen Ly reports on a film and panel discussion coming up highlighting how people with disabilities are impacted by natural disasters.

This month, Michael Stephens took the reins as Tampa International Airport’s fourth CEO in history. WMNF’s Chris Young reports Stephens, former chief counsel for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, is calling for local transit to and from the airport. 

A House bill seeking to ban geoengineering and so-called weather modification in Florida is nearing its final legislative hurdle.  Jenny Jacoby reports on the bill.

The Scoop producer Lisa Reuter

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Joshua Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Toni Pham, Josh Holton, Joshua Hightower, Kaitlyn Serafin, Faith Montalvo, Noah Vinsky
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Mon. April 21, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.