Wondering what happened to the bills covered in February’s legislative issue? Stay tuned for our April legislative update issue! 

Stories to Watch 

Plans to expand the shipping channel at Port Everglades could put one of Florida’s last remaining healthy coral reefs at risk. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Shedd Aquarium estimate that more than 10 million corals could be affected, raising concerns about what could become the largest permitted impact to coral reefs in U.S. history. They warn that dredging can stir up sediment that spreads through the water, which could smother and kill off surrounding coral. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Port Everglades officials maintain that the project would support economic growth and include significant restoration efforts. Environmental organizations such as Miami Waterkeeper argue that these measures may not fully prevent long-term damage to the reefs. 

A permit allowing the first phase of construction for a major Everglades rock mine in Palm Beach County has now passed an essential legal hurdle. The Southland rock mine, proposed on more than 8,600 acres of former agricultural land, faced opposition from environmental groups concerned about potential impacts on nearby Everglades restoration efforts. A recent settlement between developers and environmental advocates clarifies that current approvals only cover general excavation and will require additional permits for future changes. The agreement also introduces stricter water quality monitoring, including phosphorus testing, if water is discharged from the site. While the settlement increases transparency and regulatory review, it does not reduce the overall size of the project, meaning future phases will likely continue to face scrutiny. 

The Florida panther, the state’s official animal since 1982, is also one of North America’s most endangered, with an estimated 120 to 230 panthers left in the wild. Now, habitat loss in the panther’s last remaining stronghold is intensifying. Proposed development projects, including a 10,000-acre expansion in Collier County, could eliminate 5,000 acres of critical panther habitat. Conservation groups intend to challenge the decision in federal court. Adding to this, rising sea levels are expected to further shrink available habitat, with projections predicting at least an 11 percent loss. As the panther already occupies only five percent of its historic range, these pressures are raising concerns about the species’ long-term survival in Florida. 

Spring is arriving across Florida and data from the USA National Phenology Network show that many areas in the state began blooming earlier than usual before a late January cold front temporarily slowed progress. Current warmer temperatures have restarted the growing season, though timing varies by region, with places like Jacksonville and Pensacola ahead of average while parts of Central and South Florida are slightly behind. These changes are tracked using plants like lilacs and honeysuckles, which signal the start of spring growth due to their early leaf production. Areas that see early leaf production typically also experience an increase in pollen levels, which are being exacerbated by drought conditions. 

FL Research News 

The rare eastern arogos skipper, a tiny butterfly with golden-orange wings, was once commonplace along the Eastern and Gulf coasts of the U.S., but today it has been reduced to small, isolated populations. Now, at the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Daniels Lab at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity and the Florida Natural Areas Inventory are collaborating on a two-year project to gather data that may help the species gain federal protection. According to McGuire Center curator Jaret Daniels, the eastern arogos is unusually docile compared to most butterflies, “you can just pick the individuals off the flower with your hands. It’s totally bizarre. It breaks all the rules of what you think normal butterflies do,” he said. Over the course of the project, researchers will survey portions of the state, observing the butterflies throughout their lifecycle and gathering information on what they need to thrive. They will also analyze their DNA to compare different populations and experiment with a variety of host plants. 

Caladiums are eye-catching tropical plants commonly used in Florida for ornamental landscaping. This year, University of Florida Professor of Environmental Horticulture Dr. Zhanao Deng has made history by releasing the 50th and 51st caladium cultivars. A cultivar is a variety of plant that has been propagated selectively by humans. In a paper on the development of these cultivars, Dr. Deng describes how they are uniquely designed to resist Pythium rot and Fusarium tuber rot, making them more resilient and versatile for ornamental use. The genetic testing that contributed to the development of these cultivars shows promise for future plant breeding efforts in ornamental landscaping and potentially among native plants as well. 

Everglades restoration is protecting ecosystems while also strengthening climate resilience across South Florida. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, with contributions from researchers at Florida International University, found that restored wetlands remove about 14 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, roughly equal to 10% of emissions from Florida’s transportation sector. The research also shows that restoration outcomes vary by location and environmental conditions, with coastal areas seeing stronger carbon uptake and mangroves demonstrating high storage capacity but slower recovery after strong storm events.  

The Good News 

Florida’s Manatee River was once known as the Oyster River for its exceptional amount of oyster colonies. Since the 1800s, the population of these shellfish has decreased dramatically—but a new project might just help the Manatee River to reclaim its old title. The City of Palmetto has implemented over 300 coastal “reef balls,” which are artificial surfaces that encourage oyster colonization. The project was recently recognized by the Florida Redevelopment Association, which awarded the City of Palmetto the “Out of the Box” prize for this innovative solution. This is also positive news for the water quality of the Manatee River, as a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. 

Determining the proper season length and bag limits for fish can be challenging, as the number of anglers, weather conditions, and movement of fish might change from year to year. However, University of South Florida researcher Challen Hyman has developed a new statistical model to help prevent overfishing of gag grouper, a popular sport fish. Whereas previous models only considered environmental or species-level variables, this new model also includes angler behavior. In the 2025 gag grouper season, the model-supported season length led to a total harvest that was under the overfishing quota, an indicator of success, for anglers and conservation agencies alike. 

Things You Can Do 

March kicks off the breeding and nesting seasons for many of Florida’s shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds, and you can help ensure that nesting is as successful as possible. Before planning your coastal recreation, he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends checking for Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs), areas designated by the FWC to protect sites where significant concentrations of wildlife gather for essential activities such as breeding, Even in areas that are not designated CWAs, you can do your part by staying at least 300 feet away from nesting birds, leaving pets at home, and ensuring that all trash and food is properly disposed of. Human or pet activity can cause shorebirds to abandon nests or chicks, and trash or food on the beach can attract scavengers that might also prey on eggs or young.