Development

A Developer Wants to Build 170 New Homes Next to the Celery Fields. Environmentalists Are Concerned.

Negotiations are underway to rezone 26 acres of land known as Smith Farm to facilitate its sale to Arlington, Texas-based D.R. Horton.

10/13/2023 By Jim DeLa/Community News Collaborative

Environment

Canadian Wildfires Cause Air Quality Advisory in Sarasota County

You might have noticed it's hazy outside—here's why.

10/03/2023 By Staff

Quiet Luxury

The Electric Vehicle Revolution Is Here. What Does It Mean for Sarasota?

There are now more than 3 million EVs on American roads, with more to come.

09/25/2023 By Matthew Gutierrez

Purity Test

How Clean Is Our Drinking Water?

We sent out four samples from different water sources throughout Sarasota to a private lab that specializes in analyzing environmental data to find out exactly what we are putting in our bodies.

09/21/2023 By Isaac Eger

Sinking Ships

Decaying Boats Are Often a Nuisance in Sarasota, Manatee Waters

But police have a year-old tool in which owners of vessels in peril can sign them over for rapid removal.

08/24/2023 By Catherine Hicks/Community News Collaborative

Green Dreams

Carl Hiaasen Will Headline Sarasota's Green Living Expo and EcoSummit This December

The weekend also features a trade show, film screening, panel discussions, music and more.

08/21/2023 By Staff

On a Mission

Suncoast Waterkeeper's New Patrol Boat Helps Keep Local Waters Healthy

The boat, previously used for dolphin sightseeing tours, gives the Waterkeeper a more direct way to observe the environment.

08/17/2023 By Emma Moneuse

Q & A

A New Nonprofit Wants to Rehabilitate Hundreds of Acres of Local Oyster Habitat

“Anything I can do in my power to improve the fisheries and water quality, I’m pushing hard to do it,” says Oyster River Ecology founder and executive director Damon Moore. “We’re not aiming small."

08/14/2023 By Matthew Gutierrez

Solar Curious

A New Co-op Takes the Guesswork Out of Going Solar

Sarasota and Charlotte County residents can band together for better buying power and free guidance on going solar.

07/28/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Environment

North Port Is Adding a Natural Resources Division to Help Preserve the Environment

The new division aims to respond to fast and furious development that’s exploding in south Sarasota County.

07/05/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Green Scene

Science and Environment Council Announces Upcoming Environmental Summit, Expo

"Our natural environment is the foundation of our economy and quality of life," says Dr. Jennifer Shafer, the council's co-executive director.

06/12/2023 By Staff

Oh, Great

That Huge Sargassum Bloom Is Filled with Plastic and Possibly Deadly Bacteria

Research shows there are massive quantities of plastic floating in the seaweed that encourage the presence of deadly flesh-eating bacteria.

06/02/2023 By Isaac Eger

Burning Question

Should We Restore Midnight Pass?

Dr. Dave Tomasko of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program highlighted the pros and cons of restoring Midnight Pass to the Sarasota County commission this week.

04/12/2023 By Isaac Eger

Off the Rails

A Train Carrying 30,000 Gallons of Propane Derailed Near SRQ Airport on Tuesday

What other harmful chemicals are coming through our area that we don’t know about?

03/01/2023 By Isaac Eger

Putting Down Roots

One Man's Quest to Re-Wild the Intracoastal's Forgotten Islands

“I can’t stop the real estate developers, but I can save little pieces of Florida here and there,” John Hoover says.

03/01/2023 By Isaac Eger

Save the Sea Cow

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Is Facing a Deadline to Increase Manatee Protections

A new petition asks the USFWS to move manatees from threatened to endangered status under the Endangered Species Act. The deadline for it to act is Feb. 20.

02/17/2023 By Staff

The Storm

How Has Hurricane Ian Affected Sarasota's Water Quality?

Environmentalists say things will likely get worse before they get better.

09/30/2022 By Isaac Eger

Energy Saver

20 Tips to Ease Your Environmental Impact—and Save Money, Too

Check out this list of DIY tips that can help save money on your energy bill today, and lessen your impact on the environment for a better tomorrow.

08/31/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Sitting Empty

Who Killed the Florida House?

After jostling between a construction industry trade organization and multiple governmental bodies, the future of the sustainable demonstration house is uncertain.

07/25/2022 By Isaac Eger

We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

This Sarasota Duo Is Killing Invasive Lionfish in a Tiny Yellow Submarine

Scott Gonnello and Scott Cassell are finding new ways to rid the waters of this invasive species, which wreaks havoc on coral reefs.

07/07/2022 By Kim Doleatto