News & Public Affairs

Why a bird advocacy group opposes a wind farm in the Everglades Agricultural Area

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Tags: wind power, alternative energy, Everglades, Audubon, birds

The Palm Beach County Commission recently approved the Sugarland Wind construction plan. But despite the benefits of a renewable energy project, it’s being opposed by some environmentalists. They say Florida doesn’t have enough wind and it’s in the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds. In a letter, the Clearwater Audubon Society says “Siting a wind farm in the [Everglades Agricultural Area] is flat out irresponsible.”

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Florida reclaimed water bill encourages more reuse, but may privatize the supply listen

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Tags: HB 639, reclaimed water, Bob Buckhorn, Charlie Miranda, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Audubon, Eric Draper, Bob Graham, Legislative session 2012, Dana Young, 2012 Legislative session, water

Yesterday, a Florida House subcommittee passed a bill that would shift control of reclaimed water away from water management districts and into the hands of utilities. Even though the 12 to 2 vote shows support from representatives, not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.

Only hours before yesterday’s agriculture and natural resources subcommittee session, former U.S. Senator Bob Graham, a Democrat, urged lawmaker...

One of Florida's leading environmentalists talks about the Governor's budget & Florida Forever land preservation program

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Tags: Audubon, Florida Forever, Rick Scott, budget, environment

The governor will announce his proposed state budget tomorrow and here to talk about the budget, preserving the state's environment and the Florida Forever land preservation program is the executive director of Audubon of Florida, Eric Draper.

Coast Guard holds secret meeting with environmental groups listen

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Tags: BP oil spill, US Coast Guard, Sierra Club, Audubon, Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

The oil slick out in the Gulf may be more than 200 miles from Tampa Bay, but some groups say it’s never to early to be prepared. Today in St. Petersburg the US Coast Guard held a closed-door meeting on how to respond if oil were to reach bay area beaches. Afterward, WMNF talked with several activists, who say that despite the secretive nature of the meeting, the main message was preparedness.

Since the April 20 rig explosion and subsequent oil leak, the flow of information has been heavily...