Our guest on the August 25th WMNF Sustainable Living Program was Jungle Jay Hardman.  A retired Archaeologist who gained regenerative insights from the past to create his no-waste, suburban jungle homestead of 30 years.  Jay is also the founder of Beacon Food Forest Gardens in Clearwater. Check out the archived program for a fruitful discussion about the abundance which emanates from employment of the ethics and principals of Permaculture.

Topics discussed include:

-what is permaculture

-how are permaculture principals applicable in other areas of life

-the ethics of permaculture

-affordable housing

-connecting community and creating innovative solutions to community issues

and more!

Check out Jungle Jay’s Facebook page to find out what he is up to and learn about permaculture and community events as well as information about Beacon Food Forest! 

If you love the Sustainable Living Show, make sure to tune in every Monday at 11am on 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives here. You can also stay up to date with show happenings on our Facebook page. Head over to the tip jar and direct your donation to Sustainable Living to show your monetary support. Remember, it takes a community to build a community.

The post Living through the lens of permaculture with Jungle Jay Hardman appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Environmental advocates are celebrating after a judge ordered Florida to shut down parts the Everglades migrant detention center within 60 days.

The judge gave  the state 60 days to remove many components of the facility, including lights, generators, gas, and sewage.

The ruling also bans any additional detainees from being sent to what the state calls Alligator Alcatraz. 

Eve Samples is the Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades. 

“What we saw from the court is not only a victory for the Everglades, it is a victory for the rule of law and for holding government accountable,” Samples said.

The detention center site is surrounded on all sides by the Big Cypress National Preserve, one of America’s first national preserves, which protects ecologically sensitive wetlands and a dozen endangered and threatened species, including endangered Florida panthers and Florida bonneted bats.

Elise Bennett is the Florida Director and Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity. 

“The weight of the law and public opinion is steadily phasing out this illegal, destructive detention camp, and we plan to work tirelessly to keep it that way,” Bennett said.

Environmental groups say the project poses serious threats to the sensitive Everglades ecosystem, endangered species, clean water, and more. 

However, advocates admitted this is not a final win.

Curtis Osceola is with the Miccosukkee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

“We are prepared to go all the way to the Supreme Court. This is not the first time the tribe has been in a fight like this, it probably won’t be the last,” Osceola said.

The state has appealed the ruling.

The post Judge orders winding down of Everglades detention center Alligator Alcatraz appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

A Sulphur Springs community leader is calling for the repair of a bridge that he says used to be a safe haven for the community.

 Charlie Adams, president of the Sulphur Springs Neighborhood Association, has memories of his grandfather taking him to the Sulphur Springs park, and specifically the pedestrian bridge.

“That was kind of the safe haven of the community, a place where we can just go out and just enjoy nature,” Adams told WMNF.

Now, he calls the state of the bridge perched over the Hillsborough River unfortunate. It’s been closed since 2018 and is currently in a state of disrepair. 

“Not every community has a river running through their backyard, right? So not being able to have access to that is really an atrocity,” Adams said.

Adams says the city has shown leadership on the problem, and a couple of city council members have come out to the site. 

“We are a part of this great city, and we deserve the attention, the resources, and we deserve our voices to be heard,” Adams said.

But he says he wants to see money allocated to that and other projects around the Sulphur Springs area. 

The City of Tampa is currently seeking input for a Sulphur Springs Neighborhood Action Plan, a city-planned effort to identify and coordinate improvements within the community. 

But the city says the bridge is a Parks and Recreation responsibility, but the Neighborhood Action Plan may “touch on topics related to the bridge.”

The post Sulphur Springs leader calls for repair of pedestrian bridge over Hillsborough River appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC voted unanimously yesterday to finalize the controversial hunt. It’s the first one in a decade.

It’s because of criticism the paper got after it published Bob Whitmore’s cartoon of a starving child in Gaza. Whitmore says that even though the cartoon seems to be a political statement about the famine and war in Gaza, the corporate parent company of CL considers it to be antisemitic.

That’s despite scores of infections linked to raw milk. The Tampa Bay Times reports in a post on X, Joseph Ladapo said, “I support the decision to consume raw milk when sought for potential health benefits and protective factors. Be aware of your source and know the risks.” His post came one week after state health officials issued a health advisory after 21 cases of infection were linked to the consumption of raw milk.

According to The Guardian, a new report from Defend Public Health, an organization of about 3,000 health professionals and allies outlines major health challenges in the US – and the misinformation coming from the RFK-led department.

The Scoop, produced by Seán Kinane.

WMNF anchors Seán Kinane, Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton. 
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Zoe Sax, Julia Ferrara, Leah Burdick, Josh Holton
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Th. Aug. 14, 2025 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

A September 9 meeting will be about the Bartow site, while a September 10 meeting will be about the Mulberry site. Early last year Mosaic applied for approval to drill exploratory wells at sites in Mulberry and Bartow.

Last year, tens of thousands in St. Petersburg couldn’t flush their toilets for days after one of the city’s most critical facilities was shut off because of Hurricane Milton. The city has installed a barrier around the low-lying wastewater facility.

Florida Power & Light and numerous parties have reached what they call a “settlement in principle” on a plan for base electric rates over the next four years. But the state Office of Public Counsel — which is designated by law to represent consumers — has not agreed to the potential settlement and wants to move forward with today’s planned hearing at the Florida Public Service Commission.

A company proposes generating water directly from the atmosphere as one solution even as climate change continues to pose a threat to people and the planet.

The Scoop, produced by Seán Kinane.

WMNF anchors Seán Kinane, Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton. 
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Zoe Sax, Julia Ferrara, Leah Burdick, Josh Holton
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Mon. Aug. 11, 2025 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice–an entomologist by training, and author whose books have tackled topics ranging from spiders to microbes—responds to my observation that her new set of books, “The Deadliest Series,” appears to represent a redoubling of her commitment to writing for young readers.

It felt worth exploring, in part because Spicer Rice holds a PhD, is an accomplished science writer, and has written a number of books geared for adult audiences—her first appearance on this show, in 2017, was discussing her just-published four guides on ants…for adult readers.

This leads us to a conversational detour, addressing the extent to which being the mother of two young boys plays a role here, and she allows that, indeed, the boys’ interests (and concerns) drive much of what she writes. And like many authors toiling in the YA realm, Spicer Rice says she hopes her work will inspire youngsters who tend to be non-readers to flip their status, adding that one of her sons is a reader, and the other, not so much.  

Spicer Rice recounts how the opportunity to write “The Deadliest Series” came her way, pitching the idea for one book, parenthetically proposing other titles that could round out a potential series.

Once she received the greenlight for the series—“The Deadliest Snake… Spider….Big Cat… Insect…Sea Creature… Flower”—she proceeded with the proverbial deep dive into research, poring over 50-150 peer-reviewed studies in preparation for each book. 

That’s part of the work ethic that involved Spicer Rice putting in 14-hour days, she explains, elaborating on details of the process, including where artist Max Temescu—whose extraordinary, vibrant illustrations give the books visual pizzazz—entered the picture (so to speak).

Given all the time, energy, and work she invests in these projects, I ask what she’s seeking to achieve—what does success look like?

“More kids wanting to go outside,” articulating that her ongoing objective is to have her young readers (and older readers, too) share her profound sense of wonder and enthusiasm for the great outdoors, and all the wondrous creatures who live there.

The post Talking Animals: Entomologist-Author discusses her “Deadliest” new series aimed at young readers (and seeks to convert non-readers) appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Leah Burdick reports on what Pinellas County says will happen if they don’t receive the money.

The deal would have built a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as redeveloped the surrounding Historic Gas Plant District.

Gov. Ron DeSantis could ask lawmakers to redraw congressional boundary lines after the Florida Supreme Court last week upheld a 2022 map that gave Republicans control of a North Florida district.

The University of West Florida Board of Trustees unanimously approved hiring Clifford Humphrey to serve as a top aide to Interim President Manny Díaz Jr.

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, Zoe Sax.
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. July 25, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

If approved, it would terminate an agreement between the city, the Rays and development partner, Hines, ultimately dissolving plans tied to the project.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports, the blocked funds mean a loss of $396 million for Florida schools and cuts to important programs for all students.

WMNF’s Madison Overmier reports, two of them exceeded EPA limits.

Bay Area Dream Defenders will hold a press conference today outside of St. Pete City Hall, calling on Mayor Ken Welch to provide funding for the “Save Our Streets Campaign” in the 2026 budget.

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, Zoe Sax.
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. July 24, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Madison Overmier reports on the findings of the University of Florida’s research team and their strides towards a universal cancer vaccine.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports that environmental and port leaders are trying to create a balance between wildlife and industry.

Meteorologist Megan Borowski from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network says that low will move from east to west into the Gulf, and increase the potential for heavy rain across the state of Florida today.

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, Zoe Sax.
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. July 23, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Thousands of shorebirds gather off dredge disposal islands – islands around the Tampa Bay area created when material is dredged to make water deeper for ships.

Environmental and port leaders are trying to create a balance between wildlife and industry. 

Jeff Lietchy is the sanctuary manager for the Florida Coastal Island Sanctuaries with Audubon Florida.  

“These have become really important features in the landscape that, really help sustain threatened bird species as well as some of the more common bird species that we see around Tampa Bay,” Lietchy told WMNF.

The islands can be found throughout Tampa Bay, and are a prime nesting habitat for the birds, including the American oystercatcher and the roseate spoonbill, due to a dwindling number of available coastal wetlands in the area.   

Lietchy highlights two small islands in the middle of Port Tampa Bay called 2D and 3D that see black skimmers, which are classified as “climate endangered” by Audubon.

Christopher Cooley, Director of Environmental Affairs for Port Tampa Bay said the port has partnered with wildlife agencies and the F lorida Audubon to create a balance between industry and wildlife.

“If you’re out near St. Pete Beach or Dunedin, you’ll see all these little plop islands. Those are basically dredge disposal islands. And over time, those islands have become prime bird nesting habitat.” Cooley told WMNF.

But the balance hasn’t come without challenges. 

“Tampa Bay was the second port in the country to have a dedicated environmental department. LA-Long Beach beat us by a couple months. But for Florida to have that, that’s pretty progressive.”

He said a major dredging project starting in the next couple years will likely continue into bird nesting season.

“There’s a balance between industry and the environment. And we try every day to, to make that a good balance,” Cooley said.

Cooley said they may put out sound deterrents and vegetation to prevent birds from nesting during construction.

The post Tampa Bay man-made islands serve as a refuge for shorebirds appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.