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

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Apopka to kick off holiday season with annual tree lighting at Kit Land Nelson Park
Apopka’s annual Tree Lighting event will take place on Friday, December 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Kit Land Nelson Park, bringing the community together for festive lights, holiday displays, and a special tree lighting ceremony. The free, family-friendly evening will include live holiday music, local vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, Santa visits, and even a Florida snowfall. more
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Celebrate National Take a Hike Day on November 17th by exploring a District property
The St. Johns River Water Management District is showcasing its more than 778,000 acres of conservation lands, offering free public access to trails that protect water resources while inviting visitors to explore restored wetlands, floodplains, and natural habitats. From blackwater streams to marshes and pine flatwoods, these properties support water quality, wildlife, and aquifer recharge across 18 counties in Florida. more
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Seagrass meadows are an essential part of Florida’s coastal ecosystem.
Seashells from centuries ago show that seagrass meadows on Florida’s Nature Coast are thriving
Scientists are turning beach shells into powerful tools for conservation, using them to reconstruct centuries of ecological history in Florida’s seagrass meadows. Their work on the state’s Nature Coast reveals that these habitats and their mollusk communities have remained remarkably stable for hundreds of years, offering a rare success story—and a model—for protecting seagrass systems under pressure worldwide. more
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Audubon Florida and Orange County History Center celebrate 125 years of conservation in a new exhibit
Audubon Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center have launched a new exhibit tracing 125 years of bird conservation in Florida. The colorful display, open through February 2026, highlights Florida’s role in saving wading birds, restoring the Everglades, and expanding public lands. more
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Apopka and Orange County honor veterans with ceremonies, banners, and Vietnam War tribute
Apopka and Orange County are marking Veterans Day with a series of events that include park and downtown ceremonies, a special tribute to Vietnam veterans, and a citywide banner program honoring local heroes. From keynote remarks by a retired Navy captain to Operation Green Light illuminating county buildings, the region is offering multiple ways for residents to recognize the sacrifices of veterans and their families. more
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Sarasota County intended the Celery Fields to manage stormwater runoff, but it’s turned into a popular bird sanctuary that draws 130,000 visitors a year.
Bird-defending Audubon chapter defeats Florida development planned by nation’s largest homebuilder
The Sarasota Audubon Society outlasted homebuilding giant D.R. Horton in a three-round battle to protect the Celery Fields bird sanctuary from development. The unanimous votes against rezoning mark a rare and inspiring environmental victory in Florida’s fast-growing landscape. more
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Florida-Friendly landscape professionals are good for the environment, your wallet
Autumn is the perfect time to evaluate your landscaping needs, and choosing a Florida-Friendly Landscaping professional can save money while protecting the environment. These certified experts follow sustainable practices that support plant health, wildlife, and water conservation across Florida landscapes. more
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Good cities are built from small, thoughtful decisions
A nightly walk through a park revealed how small design choices can make a city feel safe, welcoming, or neglected. The difference between good lighting and bad lighting is more than technical — it’s emotional, and it’s what separates places people love from places they avoid. more
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A rare Rice’s whale swims just under the surface of the Gulf of Mexico.
Expanding offshore oil drilling will imperil rare whales who live near Florida
  Once thought to be a type of Bryde’s whale, the newly identified Rice’s whale is one of the rarest mammals on Earth — and it’s found only in the Gulf of Mexico. With fewer than 100 remaining, a new proposal to expand offshore oil drilling could push this fragile species to extinction.   A rare Rice’s whale swims just under the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo via NOAA/Ocean Alliance)   … more
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End of daylight saving time signals once‑a‑week watering across Apopka, Orange County, and the district
With daylight saving time ending Nov. 2, central and northeast Florida shifts to once‑a‑week watering to conserve groundwater and protect springs. Residents and businesses are encouraged to follow the seasonal schedule and adopt efficient irrigation practices for healthier lawns and a sustainable water supply. more
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Halloween on a Friday: AAA warns of dangerous mix of foot traffic and impaired driving
With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, AAA warns that more parties, increased foot traffic, and impaired driving make the night especially dangerous. Parents and drivers are encouraged to follow safety tips for pedestrians, costumes, and sober driving to protect children and reduce traffic risks. more
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Bicycling at the Lake Apopka North Shore
Pedal through Paradise: Lake Apopka Eco-Bike Ride returns Saturday
The free Lake Apopka Eco-Bike Ride invites residents and visitors to experience one of Central Florida’s most scenic nature trails on two wheels. The event takes place Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., with online registration now open. more
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The Apalachicola National Forest land that Wakulla County wants is full of cypress swamps and sinkholes — not the best place to build recreational fields and playgrounds.
Florida county considers unpopular land swap with national forest
Wakulla County residents are pushing back against a proposed land swap with the Apalachicola National Forest that would allow the county to build a multi-sport recreational center on federal forest land. Community activists and longtime locals argue the swap threatens the peace, natural beauty, and ecological health of one of Florida’s most treasured forests. more
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Healthy staghorn coral were crucial builders of Florida’s coral reef. Today, few survive there.
2 iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds – we witnessed the reef’s bleaching and devastation
A year-long marine heat wave has decimated Florida’s coral reefs, pushing staghorn and elkhorn corals to functional extinction. Scientists say restoration is possible—but only if climate change is urgently addressed. Healthy staghorn coral were crucial … more
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This Burmese python got caught, but plenty of others are evading the state’s python hunting competitions.
Florida triples python removals from Everglades through new leather industry partnership
Florida has tripled the number of invasive Burmese pythons removed from the Everglades in just one year through a partnership with Miami-based Inversa Leathers, which transforms the snakes into wallets, shoes, and belts. Officials say the collaboration has eased the workload for state biologists and accelerated the removal of one of Florida’s most destructive predators. more
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September rainfall in the district showed a sharp east-west divide
The St. Johns River Water Management District reported an uneven September rainfall pattern, with heavy precipitation in Volusia and Flagler counties but much drier conditions inland. Despite the rainfall gaps, groundwater and spring flows in areas like Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs remained within normal ranges. more
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Canaveral National Seashore offers the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic beach in Florida. Space X wants to close it for at least two months a year and maybe more.
SpaceX has big, destructive plans for its big rocket in Florida
SpaceX’s push to expand its Starship launch operations at Kennedy Space Center has drawn fierce opposition from environmental groups, residents, and local officials worried about the impact on Cape Canaveral’s protected lands and communities. Critics say increased launches, water use, pollution, and access restrictions — including at Playalinda Beach — could irreversibly damage one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive regions. more
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Peaches, who was blown into Florida by Hurricane Idalia in 2023, was sighted in Mexico in June 2025.
Flamingos are making a home in Florida again after 100 years – an ecologist explains why they may be returning for good
When Hurricane Idalia blew hundreds of American flamingos off course in 2023, it sparked an unexpected resurgence of the species in Florida. Now, thanks to decades of Everglades restoration, scientists believe these iconic birds may be making a long-awaited comeback to their native home. more
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Pollinators in Peril: Floridians interested in helping, but not enough to act
A new UF/IFAS study finds that while many Floridians support pollinators in principle, only a portion are actively helping roadside habitats thrive. Researchers say targeted messaging and hands-on opportunities could turn “pollinator advocates in waiting” into volunteers, supporting Florida’s ecosystems and agriculture. more
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Bald Eagle, adult and nestling, Sarasota, Florida
October marks the beginning of Bald Eagle nesting season in Florida
October signals the start of nesting season for Bald Eagles in Florida, with birds already returning to prepare their nests. Through EagleWatch, volunteers and scientists monitor nearly 40% of the state’s nesting pairs, protecting habitats and helping ensure the continued success of one of America’s most iconic raptors. more
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Brownfields seminar aims to turn blighted properties into opportunities
Brownfields — long-neglected contaminated properties like gas stations, dry cleaners, and nurseries — can be transformed into productive assets through available state and federal grants. A new seminar series will give stakeholders the tools to remediate soil, reduce blight, and boost Orange County’s property values. more
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Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in Florida, has been ranked as the dirtiest lake in the nation.
Big Florida lake ranked as the most polluted in the U.S.
The pollution crisis at Lake Okeechobee serves as a stark warning for Lake Apopka, showing how unchecked agricultural runoff and weak enforcement can devastate Florida’s waterways. Without stronger protections and investment in natural filtration, Lake Apopka risks repeating Okeechobee’s toxic algae and ecological decline. more
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Slow-moving Atlantic storm could bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Florida this weekend
A slow-moving storm forming off the Georgia coast later this week could deliver days of rain and gusty winds to Florida, including Orange County and Apopka. While the strongest impacts are expected further north, local residents should stay alert for showers, breezy conditions, and minor urban flooding through the weekend. more
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Bird-friendly Yards Tour returns this October with native plant showcase
After a seven-year hiatus, the Orange Audubon Society is bringing back its popular Bird-friendly Yards Tour on Sunday, October 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can visit eight self-guided yards featuring native plants, pick up tips for attracting birds and pollinators, and connect with Backyard Biodiversity Day the following weekend at Mead Botanical Garden to purchase native plants. more
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Florida’s 1,100 natural springs are under threat – a geographer explains how to restore them
Once praised by early explorers for their crystal-clear beauty, Florida’s freshwater springs now face serious decline from pollution, overuse, and habitat loss. With most of the state’s 1,100 springs unmonitored and 26 of 30 “Outstanding Florida Springs” impaired, experts say restoring them will require far more than a one-size-fits-all solution. more
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