Suncoast Searchlight

Drought Drains Southwest Florida Water Reserves, but Officials Say Supply Is Secure

Environmental advocates, however, warn that continued withdrawals from the already depleted river could have lasting consequences for wildlife and native habitats.

05/15/2026 By Emily Andersen/Suncoast Searchlight

From Land to Sea

Award-Winning Wildlife Photographer Carlton Ward Jr. Returns to the Gulf

“This is a return to my first connections to nature,” Ward says. “This is where the wildlife corridor and the Gulf meet.”

05/05/2026 By Isaac Eger

Suncoast Searchlight

Scientists to Discuss Suncoast Environmental Threats at Free Sarasota Panel

The conversation will offer a chance to hear directly from the scientists and advocates studying the region’s most pressing environmental challenges, from microplastics in local waters to the loss of natural habitats.

04/13/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Survey Says

See How Locals And Neighbors Residents Ranked Issues Like Housing and More in a Recent Regional Survey

In a new survey of 1,500 residents across Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, affordable housing emerged as the top concern, followed by environmental protection and support during times of crisis.

04/13/2026 By Kim Doleatto

River Revival

Bringing Oysters Back to the Manatee River

A Palmetto project is restoring oyster reefs to improve water quality and rebuild habitat in the Manatee River.

03/10/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Tides and Teeth

Filmmaker Wilson McCourtney Takes on Sharks, Red Tide and Florida’s Water Crisis in His Latest Documentary

"Fighting for Florida" will screen at the 2026 Sarasota Film Festival.

02/16/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Second Chapter Salvage

The Iconic Sarasota Architectural Salvage Warehouse Is Closing in April

After more than two decades of ownership, Jesse White begins a months-long liquidation following the sale of his Central Avenue building.

02/03/2026 By Kim Doleatto

In Fine Feather

It’s Peak Birding Season Look for These Migrating 'Lifer' Birds Making a Stop in Sarasota

At the Celery Fields and in woodland areas like Pinecraft Park, you’ll spot numerous kinds of birds, from jaw-droppingly colorful painted buntings to chicken-like soras and flashy scarlet tanagers.

11/05/2025 By Megan McDonald

The Return of the Atala

Against All Odds, Florida’s Iridescent Atala Butterfly Makes a Triumphant Comeback

The Atala was considered extinct as recently as 50 years ago, the ill-timed consequence of urbanization and the overharvesting of its host plant. Now it's back—and thriving.

11/03/2025 By Kendall Southworth

Dune Duty

A New Volunteer Initiative Aims to Plant 12,000 Sea Oats in Manatee County

Keep Manatee Beautiful is looking for 300 volunteers to help plant sea oats along the dunes of Anna Maria Island in an effort to shore up the natural protections between the island and the water.

07/16/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Deep Time

World-Famous Paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara Will Speak at Sarasota Climate Conference

A real-life Indiana Jones returns to speak at the Climate Adaptation Center's fifth annual Climate Forecast Conference on Nov. 13, 2025.

06/28/2025 By Bethany Ritz

Birds of a Feather

How to Keep Our Nesting Shorebirds Safe During Fourth of July Celebrations

"It's important to share our shores," says Evan Powers, Audubon Florida's Sarasota stewardship coordinator.

06/26/2025 By Megan McDonald

As Above, So Below

With Help From Sarasota’s Eternal Reefs, Astronaut Mary Cleave Was Laid to Rest in the Gulf of Mexico This Spring

Since Eternal Reefs’ founding in 1998, the company has laid to rest the remains of more than 3,000 people, 1,000 of whom are at a burial site named Silvertooth near Big Pass.

06/01/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Trees, Please

City of Sarasota Offers Two More Opportunities for Residents to Acquire Trees

After unprecedented interest in April's tree giveaway at the Bay, City of Sarasota residents can sign up to a free small tree or low-cost canopy tree.

05/16/2025 By Staff

The Big Question

Is Recycling a Waste of Time?

Here's what really happens after your recyclables are hauled away from the curb.

04/07/2025 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Conservation

Big Waters Land Trust, Sarasota County, Elling Eide Center Partner to Protect Land on Little Sarasota Bay

Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program purchased land on Feb. 4, which remains privately owned and managed by The Elling Eide Center.

03/31/2025 By Staff

Rescue Mission

Julie Morris and Jim Strickland Are Out to Prove That Preservation and Agriculture Go Hand in Hand

With their 1,300-acre Lost Girl Prairie, the couple want to show that business owners and environmentalists can work together to preserve Florida’s dwindling parcels of untamed land.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Fighting Fire With Fire

Florida Is Burning, Too. But It's on Purpose.

“We set good fires, or else we get bad ones."

01/17/2025 By Isaac Eger

Weather

As Hurricane Helene Nears, the Potential for Flooding Looms

We talked to the executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program to learn more about potential flooding in the area.

09/24/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Sarasota Magazine

Environment