Latest news with #FloridaGulfCoastUniversity
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fed-up resident fights back against invasive iguanas using special rifle: 'I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem'
An admirer of the owl family that found shelter and nesting in the burrow hole next door, John Johnson was perturbed when he saw an iguana climbing out of the very same owl hole while the owl parents "were screeching and divebombing it," per a Palm Beach Post report. Divebombing is a defensive behavior owls may exhibit when defending their nest or young, according to Seven Days. This could only mean one thing for the parents: Their eggs or baby owls were in danger. The owl family put up a tough fight against their intruder, but the deed had already been done. The owls eventually surrendered their nest and fled to find a new home. This incident fueled a fire within Johnson, who learned that iguanas had no natural predators on Marco Island, Florida. In fact, black spiny-tailed iguanas and green iguanas are persistent invasive species in the region. Female iguanas can lay up to 70 eggs every year, according to Focusing on Wildlife, which contributes to their rapid growth on the island. Iguanas tear up native plants and eat the eggs of gopher tortoises — one of the oldest living species on the planet, currently with a threatened or endangered conservation status. Black spiny-tailed iguanas will "eat almost anything they can get in their mouths," said Dr. Jerry Jackson, professor emeritus at Florida Gulf Coast University, per Palm Beach Post. So, Johnson created Down Goes Iguana, a family-run agency dedicated to hunting down iguanas in Florida, with a heavy concentration on the Marco Island region. He began operating with the blessing of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Using air guns like the .25 caliber Brocock Sniper XR, a short air rifle used for small game hunting or target practice, Johnson hunts down iguanas for both customers and the state, taking down a total of 730 iguanas in 2024. While Johnson recognizes that he may not be able to eliminate the invasive species from the island, he's making a valiant effort. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Invasive species disrupt local ecosystems, threatening native wildlife species and their habitats. Invasive plant species operate similarly, taking over land from native plant species and outcompeting the latter for nutrients and resources. Invasive species grow quickly and aggressively and can pose a great headache for homeowners looking to eliminate them from their lawns. You can limit the spread of invasive plant species in your lawn by planting more native plants to support the local ecosystem's balance. Native plant lawns attract pollinators, whose pollination services protect the food supply and provide food and shelter for local wildlife species. The best part is that native lawns are slower-growing and tend to require less water than lawns containing invasive plant species, saving you time and money on lawn maintenance and water bills. Buffalo grass and clover — both drought-resistant lawn options that require less frequent mowing — are alternative lawn replacement options that can save you time and money on yard work. Invasive species may be persistent, but not if humans can help it. "I'm … vested in the fact that this is not good and I have some skills and some tools to help eradicate this problem," Johnson said, per Palm Beach Post. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gateway High School Class of 2025 graduates; see the festivities in dozens of photos
Gateway High School Class of 2025 graduated May 16, 2025, at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. The approximately 571 seniors at the Fort Myers high school were among thousands of Lee County high school student graduating this year. The school was founded in 2021. The school's mascot is the Eagles, and the colors are black and gold. Gateway High School is on Griffin Drive off State Road 82. See dozens of photos of their ceremony and celebration: Support local journalism by subscribing to The News-Press. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Gateway High School graduation 2025: See commencement photos
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than 2,000 FGCU students receive degrees in 2025 ceremony
Florida Gulf Coast University's Graduation 2025 is in the history books. More than 2,000 degrees were awarded at the Fort Myers-based university on May 3. Graduation ceremonies were held on campus inside Alico Arena. Here's are some key numbers and data tied to FGCU's 2025 graduates: FGCU students who are eligible for graduation: 2,484 Bachelors: 2015 Masters: 399 Doctoral: 70 FGCU students who registered to participate in commencement: 2,081 College of Arts & Sciences: 672 College of Education: 159 Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship: 165 Lutgert College of Business: 416 Marieb College of Health & Human Services: 435 The Water School: 72 U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering: 162 3. Emeriti faculty honored: 4 Dr. Jackie Greene Dr. Darren Rumbold Dr. Lirio Negroni & Dr. Sandra Kauanui 4. Honorary Doctoral Degree: 1 Mr. Michael Swindle This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: How many students attend FGCU in Fort Myers?
CBS News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Florida lawmakers consider ousting mockingbird as state bird after 97 year run
Florida's mockingbird is fighting to save its title as state bird, which it has held for nearly 100 years, as lawmakers consider replacing it with two other native birds - the flamingo and the Florida scrub jay. It's being called the "Battle of the Birds." The northern mockingbird migrated to Florida like many residents. The bird is known for mimicking the calls of other birds. Florida named the mockingbird its state bird back in 1927, when the state was much more agricultural and less populated on the coasts. It may not be quite as representative of today's bustling, modern Florida — and four other states also call it the state bird. This legislative session isn't the first time it's met a challenge , but it has always prevailed. The birds are now forced to defend their reign again as lawmakers want to crown the Florida scrub jay the state songbird. "It's found here and nowhere else in the world. It is the only bird that is truly endemic to Florida," Johnson said. A title it would share alongside the American flamingo as Florida's state bird. "This is still the only state in the country where you can see them regularly," Oscar Johnson, an assistant professor of ornithology at Florida Gulf Coast University, said. The matter is now up to state lawmakers, and the governor will have to sign the bill designating the birds' new titles.
National Geographic
21-03-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Fish are spinning to death in the Florida Keys—again. Why is history repeating?
0:08 Now, fish are spinning again, though in smaller numbers and happening in a much smaller geographic area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). One question is whether these fish are experiencing new symptoms or if they're still suffering from last year's exposure. What's perplexing is that algae levels in the water are relatively low, unlike during the 2023-2024 event, says Matthews. Since December 2024, FWC has received 44 reports of fish exhibiting spinning behavior, adding to more than 500 related reports since December 2023. Among these new reports, 22 have involved sawfish, including six confirmed deaths, with another likely occurring on March 20, according to Matthews. 'There's a sawfish 200 yards from me on the shoreline right now that we've got a team taking blood from to figure out what's going on,' he said. 'It's so sad, these are amazing animals.' (Here's how scientists are trying to save the last sawfish stronghold.) What we know about the toxins Mike Parsons, a researcher from Florida Gulf Coast University, has been regularly sampling water for algae species suspected to be behind the toxins. One algae genus, Gambierdiscus, has been flagged as a possible toxin source, though the exact species hasn't been identified and doesn't match known species. To definitively link the Gambierdiscus species to the events, scientists are working to identify the chemical makeup of the toxin, or toxins, at play too. 'You can't see it in the water, so it's a lot harder for us to track it down,' Matthews says, meaning they need to collect samples when the fish are still actively spinning. Researchers have found Gambierdiscus algae on the gills of the fish, and water and fish tissue tests found evidence of neurotoxins. 'We just really want to connect that smoking gun,' says Matthews.
