Stephanie Byrne

Lots of questions still surround what caused all the blue-green algae in our water last year. There are so many questions that the federal government is asking you for ideas and taking part in its health study. Around 160 comments later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked for feedback on air quality and […]

How do you kill harmful, invasive plants without killing the good ones? If you have any ideas, the State wants to hear them. Wildlife officials set aside money for research and are asking lawmakers for more. Florida’s waterways, animals and plant life form a delicate ecosystem. But often, uninvited guests move in. “What I thought […]

Water is Florida’s most precious resource. It not only surrounds our state, but it also connects communities within Florida. Florida’s unique landscape is made up of wetlands, beaches, swamps, and forests; all of which play a crucial role in the well-being and character of our state. We depend on water for the health of our […]

Fast Facts: Karenia Brevis is the organism that forms red tide. Experts say red tide begins naturally; However, human activities have the potential to influence red tide. Red tide is poisonous to wildlife and can be deadly. ‘Brevetoxin,’ which is found in red tide, is what causes people to cough and have respiratory irritation. The […]

November 2019 marked the groundbreaking of the new site for The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University. The state-of-the-art facility is symbolic of years of water research in Southwest Florida. Just eight months earlier, FGCU announced the establishment of the program on World Water Day. Dr. Greg Tolley, Executive Director of The Water School […]

Nutrients from agriculture may have fueled the disgusting, green slime at the height of the blue-green algae crisis in Southwest Florida. That’s why researchers and farmers are talking about ways growers can make a living while protecting our water. Still, farmers and growers have to keep their livelihoods and conservation in mind. UF/IFAS Southwest Florida […]

The future of the largest lake in the southeastern United States hangs in the balance Thursday. It’s a resource for fishermen, for tourism and the water supply, but also contributes to our water quality issues. Now, the government wants you to weigh in on how it handles lake operations in the future. Ramon Iglesias is […]

Florida Gulf Coast University is one of four colleges getting more money from the state of Florida to study harmful algal blooms. The grant is significant for our water quality and another step toward finding out how being around algae can affect our health. Anthony, a Cape Coral resident, is no stranger to harmful algal […]

It’s that time of year when glitter is everywhere. For families with kids, it might be all the time. But, if that glitter gets outside, it can be dangerous for animals and the environment, so some students and staff at FGCU are raising awareness about the risks. Fabiana Solano, an FGCU student studying for her […]

Researchers recently spotted a different type of algae growing in the Caloosahatchee River. From appearance, onlookers might assume it’s red tide, but it’s not. Researchers confirmed Akashiwo sanguinea, another type of algal bloom, is present now in parts of the Caloosahatchee River. Luckily, this does not pose a major water quality concern. “No, people don’t […]