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South Apopka annexation study finds path forward, but substantial costs remain

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Cape Coral has more canals than anywhere else in the world, but it’s also under severe watering restrictions because there’s not enough water for drinking and watering lawns.
Lots of new Florida developments are lined up, but what will they drink?
Florida’s booming growth comes with a basic question few leaders want to answer: What will all these new residents drink? With drought conditions spreading and water restrictions already in place, one writer warns the Sunshine State may be heading toward “Dry 2026.” more
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A male Snail Kite carries an Apple Snail on Lake Okeechobee near Okeechobee, Florida on March 14, 2024. Audubon is leading the fight for clean water, exotic plant control, and proper water level management to protect the lake which is a critical habitat for wading birds and the Everglades Snail Kite.
Snail Kite population showing strain in dry years
Florida’s Snail Kite population is declining again after two consecutive dry years disrupted nesting and reduced access to apple snails, its primary food source, according to Audubon. The raptor rebounded over the past decade by adapting to invasive apple snails, but recent monitoring shows that boom-and-bust prey cycles and drought conditions can quickly reverse those gains. more
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December rainfall below average across the region as drought conditions persist
December rainfall across the St. Johns River Water Management District fell below average, with precipitation below normal in 17 of 18 counties, according to a new hydrologic report. District officials say the ongoing drought is contributing to declining aquifer levels and varying spring and surface water flows as Florida enters its dry season. more
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Phosphate miners spend decades digging up the rock used to create fertilizer, and when they put the layers back, they leave the radioactive material exposed. Then developers build on top of it. A bill in the Legislature would block efforts to hold Mosaic liable for the effects of radiation.
Phosphate giant turns to Florida Legislature for help thwarting lawsuits
A phosphate industry-backed proposal moving through the Florida Legislature would make it harder to sue landowners connected to former phosphate mining sites by changing the legal standard for liability. Supporters say it could encourage redevelopment, while critics warn it could weaken accountability for pollution-related harms. more
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A missing eagle nest in Pasco County’s Lake Jovita subdivision led to a bill aimed at shutting down every county and city’s rules against pollution and wetlands destruction.
Florida lawmaker is back with bill promoting water pollution
As the 2026 Florida legislative session begins, one lawmaker’s proposal is already drawing sharp criticism for its potential environmental impact. A bill that would strip cities and counties of authority to protect wetlands and prevent water pollution is being labeled by critics as a serious threat to Florida’s water quality and local governance. more
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Days of heavy rain across the Midwest flooded Frankfort, Ky., in April 2025.
2025’s extreme weather brought intense flash flooding, but no hurricane landfalls in the US – the jet stream is a big reason why
The unusual weather patterns of summer 2025—deadly inland flooding paired with a quiet U.S. hurricane season—were largely driven by shifts in the polar jet stream. Scientists say a weakened, wavering jet stream stalled storms over the same regions while steering hurricanes safely away from the mainland. more
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The FWC announced that 52 Florida black bears were "harvested" during the state-sanctioned bear hunt that took place between December 6th and 28th.
FWC reports 52 bears killed during Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that 52 black bears were harvested during Florida’s recently concluded 2025 bear hunt, the first such hunt in nearly 10 years. State officials described the hunt as a success rooted in scientific wildlife management, while critics continued to question the data and motivations behind its approval. more
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The impressive Hobe Mountain Tower at Jonathan Dickinson State Park has been closed since last year, just one of the park's facilities that need a huge state investment.
Dear Santa, can you please help our crumbling Florida state parks?
A newly released state report reveals Florida’s award-winning state park system faces a staggering $759 million backlog in repairs, threatening infrastructure, safety, and visitor access across nearly 800,000 acres. Advocates say the findings present a critical opportunity for lawmakers to reinvest in one of Florida’s most valuable natural and economic assets. more
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A “Ghost Bike” marks the site of a bicycle accident in downtown Tallahassee on Dec. 15, 2025.
It’s not getting any safer for Florida’s bicyclists
A Florida cyclist seriously injured after being struck by a motorcyclist during an organized ride is highlighting growing concerns about bike safety and accountability on the state’s roads. Advocates say weak enforcement and car-centered development continue to put cyclists at risk despite long-standing safety laws. more
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Orange County approves land purchase for future park at OBT and Sadler Road
Orange County has approved the $2.1 million purchase of 26.1 acres at the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail and Sadler Road for a future public park. The site is intended to serve growing communities in northwest Orange County, with park construction likely a decade away. more
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Apopka Parks and Recreation Department announces Winter Camp for children during school break
The Apopka Recreation Department is offering a Winter Camp for children ages 6 to 11 during Winter Break, providing full-day care and structured activities while school is out. The camp will run on select dates in late December and early January at the Billie Dean Community Center. more
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Passengers on Karen Chadwick’s charter boat, anchored at the now-revealed Blue Spring, hold up a banner calling for saving the lost springs of the Ocklawaha River. From left to right, Matt Keene, director of the “Lost Springs” documentary, Jerry Eller, Jodi Eller, and Kathy Keene.
Rodman drawdown exposes the beauty of Florida’s lost springs
A new Florida Phoenix article shows how the Rodman Reservoir drawdown reveals the Ocklawaha River’s “lost springs,” hidden for decades beneath the Kirkpatrick Dam. What many Apopkans don’t realize is that the water beginning in Lake Apopka ultimately flows into this same river system, making the fight over the Ocklawaha’s future directly connected to Apopka’s own history of environmental damage and recovery. more
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District sees unusually dry November
November brought exceptionally dry weather across the St. Johns River Water Management District, with many counties receiving less than an inch of rain and some northern areas recording none. As rainfall deficits deepen and La Niña persists, District officials are encouraging Floridians to use water wisely and monitor evolving drought forecasts. more
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Homegrown National Park — not an actual place but a marketing concept with the goal of restoring 20m acres of natural habitat in America — thinks suburbia could be the answer to tackling the biodiversity crisis it’s helped create, by taking conservation efforts private. 
Suburban development may become a surprising tool in America’s fight to restore wildlife habitat
As suburban growth continues to replace natural landscapes, a new conservation movement is turning to private landowners to help reverse biodiversity loss. Homegrown National Park’s first planned community, Sunbridge near Orlando, is attempting to show how sustainable landscaping and native habitats can thrive alongside modern development. more
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Heather Bossowski’s “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers” depicts a beachfront sunrise at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach, earning the Grand Prize in the Park Adventures Division.
Florida State Parks announces the winners of the 2025 “Capture the Real Florida” photo contest
Florida State Parks has revealed the 2025 winners of its Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest, recognizing photographers in five categories that showcased the state’s diverse natural and cultural treasures. more
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Florida Black Bear.
Florida pushes ahead with controversial bear hunt as critics say science is being ignored
Florida wildlife officials are moving forward with a bear hunt critics say is driven by politics, not science, sparking renewed concern about declining bear populations and agency transparency. Former biologists, conservation leaders, and advocacy groups argue that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manipulated data to enable the hunt in regions that should be off-limits. more
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Myakka River State Park.
Florida’s state parks face $759 million repair backlog, new report shows
A new report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows that the state’s 175 parks require nearly $759 million in repairs, maintenance, and upgrades by 2035. Long-term expansion and modernization plans could push the total need to more than $1.39 billion. more
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The Apopka-Beauclair Lock
Apopka–Beauclair Lock to close temporarily for maintenance
The St. Johns River Water Management District will temporarily close the Apopka–Beauclair Lock from Dec. 8–12 for scheduled maintenance. The lock is expected to reopen on Dec. 12, pending successful completion of the work. more
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New UF/IFAS tool detects deadly palm trunk rot before trees collapse
A new UF/IFAS testing method can identify palm species at risk for a lethal trunk-rot fungus long before symptoms appear. The breakthrough gives Florida homeowners, landscapers, and developers a critical tool for building more resilient palm landscapes. more
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This Thanksgiving weekend, everyone in Florida should be thankful for alligators
Florida’s long, quirky relationship with alligators reveals why these resilient creatures deserve more gratitude than fear. Their remarkable comeback — and the benefits they provide — show what’s at stake as key environmental protections face rollback. more
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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tours an offshore oil rig during a visit to the Gulf of America to discuss energy policy, May 1, 2025.
Oil drilling off Florida gets pushback from state leaders
Federal plans to expand offshore oil and gas leasing into waters long protected off Florida’s coast are drawing swift opposition from state leaders. Critics warn that the proposal threatens Florida’s environment, military operations, and tourism-dependent economy. more
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FL State Representative Jennifer Canady watches as Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Director Katie Gill Warner releases the 800th Bald Eagle in Sorrento.
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey releases 800th Bald Eagle since 1979
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has released its 800th rehabilitated Bald Eagle back into the wild, marking a major milestone in Florida conservation. The eagle, recovered from injuries and lead poisoning, represents decades of rehabilitation work supported by science-based advocacy and community volunteers. more
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A Guide for New Boat Owners
Equip yourself with the essential information and tips presented below, and you'll be navigating your new nautical lifestyle with confidence. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide that will help you to safely and skillfully manage your new investment. more
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The most scenic routes to drive around Orlando
Car rental marketplace Turo has compiled a list of scenic routes near Orlando to help travelers discover these hidden gems. These drives will reveal a Florida that’s calm, colorful, peaceful, and genuine. From peaceful countryside lanes to coastal causeways, here are some of the best, most beautiful drives you can take around Orlando. more
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October delivers uneven rainfall as La Niña sets in
The St. Johns River Water Management District reported unusually wide rainfall disparities in October, with some areas experiencing extreme downpours while others remained nearly dry. With La Niña expected to bring a cooler, drier fall and winter, officials urge residents to conserve water as drought indicators remain mixed across the region. more
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