University of Florida / IFAS Planning Annual BioBlitz
UF is planning its fifth annual BioBlitz to document as many species as possible within Okeechobee’s DeLuca Preserve. The BioBlitz citizen science biodiversity survey helps researchers with conservation efforts.
The event helps establish a database of existing species of plants, animals and insects using the iNaturalist application.
“We couldn’t do all of the work required to preserve Florida’s wildlife without citizen science, and the BioBlitz is where citizen science shines,” said Corey Callaghan, assistant professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at UF/IFAS. “Having the public participate helps our research efforts, and it also shows the public the variety and diversity of species in our state.”
More than 1,000 species have been documented at DeLuca Preserve, and there are many more to find making DeLuca Preserve one of the most catalogued parcels of land in the country.
University of South Florida Using Sunlight to Combat Red Tide
A USF research team led by Ioannis Spanopoulos and George Philippidis has developed a fine, crystalline material designed to remain solid in seawater. When the powder is activated by sunlight, the material diminishes the growth of red tide.
USF’s research may offer a new approach to combat the algae and its impacts on human health and marine life. The team’s goal has been to create a material that combats red tide without causing unintended environmental impacts.
“We’re addressing pressing environmental issues by developing next-generation materials for energy, medical and environmental applications. What makes this technology so compelling is that we developed a family of materials that are biocompatible and can work continuously, something that hasn’t been done before,” said USF Assistant Professor Ioannis Spanopoulos.
The research is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the U.S. Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technologies Incubator program, which advances scalable, environmentally responsible solutions to harmful algal blooms. The team is currently conducting laboratory controlled tests looking to apply the product to later controlled water systems in the future.
Rare Millipedes Reproduced in University of South Florida (USF) Lab
USF graduate student Anne Sawl’s conservation research has resulted in the arrival of baby millipedes. Sawl studies Florida scrub millipede (Floridobolus penneri), a rare species that only resides along the Lake Wales Ridge. Getting the millipedes, found nowhere else in the world, to reproduce was challenging. Success came when Sawl moved the millipedes into a kiddie pool filled with native plants collected from the ridge.
The Florida scrub millipede has an exoskeleton, a segmented body and more than 100 legs. It is one of the largest millipedes in North America and can grow up to 4 inches long. It spends most of its life underground.
“They are crucial to nutrient recycling,” Sawl said. “By feeding on dead leaves and plant material, they digest it and excrete nutrients that fertilize the soil and support plant growth in these otherwise nutrient-poor sands.”
The Lake Wales Ridge is among the most heavily altered by development. According to Sawl, an estimated 85 percent of the ridge’s natural habitat has been lost to agriculture, housing and roads.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Discover Algae is Crossing Global Oceans
Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USF conducted a comprehensive study of global floating algae. With the assistance of AI, they found that algal blooms are expanding across the ocean.
The researchers found that between 2003 and 2022 that both microalgal scum and macroalgal mats expanded around the globe. They report blooms of macroalgae increased by 13.4 percent per year in the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific, with the most dramatic increase in biomass occurring after 2008.
The cumulative size of the macroalgal blooms reached 16.9 million square miles, breaking with historic trends.
“Before 2008, there were no major blooms of macroalgae reported except for sargassum in the Sargasso Sea,” USF’s Chuanmin Hu said. “On a global scale, we appear to be witnessing a regime shift from a macroalgae-poor ocean to an macroalgae-rich ocean.”
The scientists attribute the bloom expansions to human activities, such as nutrient runoff into the ocean, and climate variability, such as ocean warming, while acknowledging that the reasons may differ among regions.
Divers Cleaning Up Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Greeted by Dolphins
Southpoint Divers working on the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Clean Seas Florida Keys marine debris removal program were greeted by a pod of 20 or more dolphins at the start of their first dive.
“When we take the time to care for Mother Earth, she always seems to reward our efforts,” said Cortney Benson, marine debris removal stewardship coordinator with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “This time, it was with a magnificent two-minute show from a large pod of dolphins that moved me to tears.”
The divers scan the reef for derelict fishing gear and other debris that pose risks to coral and marine life. Working in two teams, the volunteers safely retrieved two derelict lobster traps, approximately 80 feet of rope, 65 feet of monofilament fishing line and a discarded fishing lure.
As of February 2026, the Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys program has achieved the following:
- 141,165 pounds of debris removed
- 188,143 feet (35.6 miles) of rope and fishing line removed
- 10,418 recreational dive participants
- 4,287 professional dive participants
- 39,873 hours spent cleaning coral reefs and surrounding ecosystems
The work is conducted under permits through NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Jones Edmunds Protecting the Indian River Lagoon
Jones Edmunds, a Florida-based engineering and consulting firm, is serving as the lead designer for an innovative Crane Creek Water Quality Restoration Project to protect the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Johns River system. The project is transforming the M-1 Canal, a century-old flood control feature, into an environmentally resilient system that restores natural water flow, improves water quality and protects one of Florida’s most treasured estuaries.
The M-1 Canal is a man-made flood control canal in Brevard County that has diverted stormwater east into Crane Creek for decades, subsequently sending untreated runoff into the Lagoon. Excess nutrients in this runoff fuel harmful algal blooms and degrade habitat in what is considered one of North America’s most biologically diverse estuaries.
Jones Edmunds engineered an operable weir and pumping system that restores the historic drainage divide between the IRL and the St. Johns River on behalf of the St. Johns WMD. The roughly $24 million project redirects stormwater westward into a newly constructed stormwater treatment area rather than allowing runoff to enter the Lagoon.
Key project features include an operable weir structure, pumping stations and piping to maintain flood control while restoring natural flow patterns and managing water levels, stormwater treatment ponds and wetland buffers to naturally filter pollutants and provide floodplain compensation, and resilient water management that captures and treats up to 7 million gallons of stormwater per day, improving water quality and restoring freshwater flow to the St. Johns River system.
SJRWMD declares a Phase I Moderate Water Shortage
The St. Johns River WMD Governing Board has declared a Phase I Moderate Water Shortage for Duval County and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford and Marion counties.
The declaration is the result of District staff’s evaluation of rainfall totals, groundwater levels, river flows and current drought conditions. Countywide rainfall totals for the impacted counties were at or below 40 inches for the past year, and some groundwater monitoring locations in Marion and Duval counties were at or below the 15th percentile. Portions of the region are classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in severe or extreme drought.
Under the Phase I Water Shortage, all water users, including public supply, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, landscape, recreation and aesthetic uses, are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and conserve water to the maximum extent possible. Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
Water users are encouraged to plan for extended dry conditions and the potential for additional mandatory restrictions should the water shortage advance to a more severe phase.
The District is also conducting prescribed burns to reduce excess vegetation that could fuel wildfire. Prescribed fires help prevent wildfires by burning off fuels that naturally build up over time, while also helping to manage the growth of woody shrubs.
Duke Energy Launches Residential Battery Storage Pilot
Duke Energy Florida is launching a residential battery storage pilot in Orlando’s Hunter’s Creek neighborhood. The ten-year program has more than 75 homeowner participants.
Battery energy storage systems have been installed in the participating single-family homes to help manage energy use and support the electric grid during high-demand periods. The pilot will evaluate how home battery systems can be used for demand response by supplying stored energy during times of peak demand, when excess stored energy can be returned to the power grid.
Under normal conditions, the system will remain idle or charge during off-peak hours. During a power outage, it will automatically provide backup power to the home. During any service interruptions, such as during hurricane season, homeowners will have access to stored energy to power select areas of the home until power is restored.
On days of high energy demand, Duke Energy can message the batteries to discharge power for one to three hours, easing stress on the grid.
“This pilot helps us better understand how home battery systems can support both our customers and the electric system during times of high demand,” said Duke Energy Florida President Melissa Seixas.
South Florida WMD Issues Water Shortage Warning
The South Florida Water Management District has issued a Water Shortage Warning for Collier, Glades, Highlands, Lee, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties amid continuing dry conditions and increasing water supply concerns. According to the District, roughly 3 billion gallons of water are used every day in South Florida by more than 9 million residents and visitors.
All residents, visitors, and businesses throughout the region are encouraged to conserve water and limit irrigation. Conserving water helps protect Florida’s aquifers and other important water sources.
The District recommends compliance with landscape irrigation schedules, irrigation maintenance checks to ensure timers and rain sensors and finding and fixing water leaks.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gathering Input on Regulations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is completing public meetings to gather input on proposed amendments to freshwater commercial fishing regulations. Updates under consideration include implementation of an electronic trip ticket catch reporting system utilizing the VESL data collection system currently used by saltwater commercial anglers, incorporation of quality control guidelines for all licensed freshwater commercial harvesters and updates to the Lake Okeechobee haul seine fishery.
The agency hopes to acquire information about these fisheries to adapt to changing conditions, and support consistency and quality of freshwater products. Additional details about the proposed rule updates are provided at the Freshwater Commercial Fishing Regulations Update website.
Cypress Springs Restoration Underway
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has begun restoration and protection efforts at Cypress Spring along Holmes Creek in Washington County. The project will help stabilize the shoreline around the spring and enhance recreational access to the spring for visitors. Access to the shoreline may be restricted as restoration activities are underway; however, the spring will remain accessible by watercraft. Work is expected to last several months.est, collectively removing thousands of pounds of litter from streets, parks, and public spaces throughout the city.
