Last year, the numbers were already impressive, with over 16,000 invasive fish captured. Organizers think this year’s total will be even higher. These invaders aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re out-competing native fish, wrecking ecosystems, and sometimes even threatening people.

The Marine Extension Agent with UF/IFAS Extension in Collier County conducts research on fish with the goal of educating the public regarding invasive species. While eradicating these fish isn’t realistic, research and outreach are key. 

One hundred and forty-seven people signed up for the event. They spread out, fishing in anything from backyard ponds to big Everglades waterways, all working together to thin out the invaders. Many of these fish weren’t always wild; some started as pets or escaped from fish farms before they made themselves at home in Florida’s ecosystems.

The most important key is educating Floridians about what invasive species are, stopping new ones from being released, and giving citizens information on how they can help. Public awareness is the best tool.

The post Hook, Line, and Sinker: Anglers Team Up to Tackle Invasive Fish in SWFL appeared first on Englewood Review.

It’s daunting to stand up against billionaire developers or push back at city officials, but there are ways to get involved, have your voice heard, and fight for Florida’s environment.

Audubon Jay Watch

What’s their mission? Boost the population of Florida’s only endemic bird, the Florida Scrub-Jay. Audubon’s Jay Watch program trains people to monitor jay families and advocate for the restoration and conservation of crucial scrub habitats. Caring for these birds in Southwest Florida means joining the Jay Watch community science program, protecting scrub land, and following regulations set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Lean on groups like the Florida Wildlife Federation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and local government habitat maps. Keep scrubby vegetation below ten feet, control your pets, and report any scrub-jay sightings.

Want to volunteer? The Jay Watch program rolls out each summer, June through July. Volunteers learn to conduct surveys, track nesting success, and map scrub-jay territories at over 45 sites statewide. Connect with local Southwest Florida Audubon chapters if you’re interested in monitoring or conservation.

If you’re a landowner, there’s plenty you can do. Maintain scrub patches, keep the vegetation under ten feet, and check the Charlotte County GIS Map to see if your property is in the designated Scrub-Jay Permit Boundary. Thinking about developing land? Hire environmental consultants for habitat assessments before breaking ground.

Important contacts and resources:

– Audubon Jay Watch info: https://www.audubon.org/florida/projects/jay-watch
– Volunteer registration: Watch for updates and survey schedules for contact emails.
– Email for general info: flconservation@audubon.org
– The official Jay Watch page: fl.audubon.org/get-involved/jay-watch

Charlotte County also has a Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan, a network of reserves and development fees designed to protect the scrub-jay over the long term. Clickhere for more information.

Regulatory and Advocacy Organizations:

– U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): The Endangered Species Act protections for the scrub-jay. Call 352-448-9151.
– Florida Wildlife Federation: Always pushing for legal protection and habitat preservation.
– Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Your go-to for legal status and management information.

Key Conservation Actions:

– Don’t feed scrub-jays—it’s illegal and unhealthy for them.
– Keep cats inside and dogs leashed to protect wildlife.
– Support the creation and upkeep of protected scrub habitats.

Southwest Florida is home to strong conservation groups:

Lemon Bay Conservancy transformed a former golf course into the Wildflower Preserve, while the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida (ECOSWF) unites regional organizations under one umbrella. 

Other active groups include the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC), Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), and the Environmental Conservancy of North Port, which acquires small parcels for conservation.

Local and Regional Conservation Organizations:

– Lemon Bay Conservancy (Englewood): Protects Lemon Bay and turned 80 acres of an old golf course into a preserve. And the Calusa Land Trust offers valuable resources and links for those wanting to become more involved.
– ECOSWF: Brings together clubs and groups from the region to safeguard local resources.
– Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC): Offers environmental education, manages land, and provides hiking opportunities.
– Conservancy of Southwest Florida: Based in Naples, they tackle policy, wildlife rehabilitation, and land protection.
– SCCF: Works to protect coastal ecosystems and water quality.
– Environmental Conservancy of North Port: Acquires “stepping stone” parcels for conservation.

Get Involved

– Coffee & Conservation at SUP Englewood: Monthly gatherings with expert speakers discussing coastal ecosystems and conservation.
– Coastal Wildlife Club: Tracks turtles and protects wildlife. Find more at Coastal Wildlife Club and supenglewood.com.

Statewide Organizations Active in SWFL:

– Conservation Florida: An accredited land trust working to protect natural and agricultural landscapes statewide.
– Florida Conservation Group: Advocates for critical lands using science-based funding.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida recently landed a $25 million lead grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation: tremendous support for ongoing efforts.

CHEC offers community outreach, education, and conservation programs, and manages land with hiking trails around Punta Gorda and Englewood.

At the Conservancy Nature Center, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital treats over 4,000 injured or orphaned animals every year.

When it feels like your work doesn’t make a difference, remember what Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The post Protecting Our Scrub-Jays, Sea Turtles and Environment: A Toolkit for Engaged Southwest Florida Residents appeared first on Englewood Review.

The district’s moving ahead with Phase III of its Water Shortage Plan. The changes hit both residents and businesses. Probably the most noticeable: restaurants can only serve water if you ask for it. Outdoor watering is now squeezed into just two windows: midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. Anything outside that schedule puts you at risk of an immediate citation.

Michelle Hopkins, who heads the Regulation Division, doesn’t sugarcoat it. “It’s pretty severe,” she said. Even though some drought indicators look a little better, plenty are still below normal. More worrying, public water supply reservoirs are running low.

Every time the district considers new restrictions, it looks at a range of factors to protect the long-term water supply. The goal isn’t just to get through this drought, but to help reservoirs bounce back before the next dry season. “We want to be ready with a full system,” Hopkins explained.

These rules cover all counties overseen by the district. For details on what applies in your neighborhood, the district’s website has specifics. Phase III restrictions remain in effect until at least July 1. Go here for more information.

The post Starting April 3: Southwest Florida Cracks Down on Water Use. Fines Begin for Rule Breakers appeared first on Englewood Review.

The way we order a drink or refer to everyday things can be a dead giveaway. Ask for a “pop” and folks know you’re from the Midwest. Request a “soda,” and they’ll peg you as East or West Coast. And if you ask for a “Coke,” well, growing up in Florida, that just meant any soft drink, not just the classic red can.

Then you get to Southwest Florida, where pretty much everyone is from somewhere else. All these accents and weird speech quirks get tossed together, and it turns meeting new people into a guessing game: Who’s from the Bronx? Who still calls their sandwich a “hoagie”? Which one’s the Boston transplant sneaking lobster into every conversation?

There are some words that just ring out as local no matter where you use them. If you’re in Philly, people grab a “hoagie,” not a sub. Out in California, you merge onto the “freeway,” not the highway. 

Here’s a quick run-through of a few words and phrases:

Ayuh

This one’s straight out of Maine. It’s just another way to say “yup,” probably from the word “aye.” Honestly, younger Mainers don’t use it, but anyone who’s read Stephen King knows he still sneaks it into his stories.

Cattywampus

Some folks say “cattywampus,” others “catawampus.” It doesn’t matter. Either way, it means something’s all messed up or crooked, and you’ll hear it all over the South.

Caramel

On the East Coast, folks stretch it out: “carr-a-mel.” Head west and it gets tightened to “car-ml.”

Been

Way up north, closer to Canada, you’ll catch people saying “been” with an “eh” sound, like “Ben.” The rest of the country says it more like “bin.”

Y’all

Down South, the only way to gather up a group is to say “y’all.” And if the whole town’s coming, it’s “all y’all.” Up north and out west, it turns into “you guys.” Or if you’re in Pittsburgh, you might hear “yinz,” as in, “Are yinz coming over?”

Mayonnaise

This food causes arguments just over pronunciation. A lot of southerners just say it with two syllables, “MAN-aze,” while folks closer to Canada squeeze out all three: “may-uh-naze.”

Pajamas

In the west and Great Lakes, you sleep in “pa-jam-as,” while Southerners draw out that second “a” to sound like “father.”

Pecan

Nobody agrees on how to say this nut. You’ve got “pick-AHN” in Texas and Louisiana, “PEE-can” up north, “PEE-kahn” around Michigan and Wisconsin, and “pih-KAHN” just about everywhere else.

Pop

Order a “pop” in the Midwest and everyone’s nodding. Switch to “soda” in the Northeast and West, and you’ll fit right in. Down South, if you ask for a Coke, the answer will be: “What kind?”

Florida-Speak

But once you make it to Florida, forget everything you thought you knew about regional speech. Florida’s got its own blend. Some phrases are classic, others borrowed and twisted from up north, and a bunch are just pure Florida inventions. 

Southwest Florida (SWFL) is especially interesting; it’s part Southern, part tropical, with a whole lot of Miami-Dade Spanish layered in. It shows up in the words for food, slang for weather, and even how they poke at tourists.

Here’s a taste of Southwest Florida’s language:

Pub Sub—If you’re local, you’ll never skip a good sandwich from the Publix deli. People take their Pub Subs pretty seriously.

Snowbirds—Northerners who flee the cold and fill up Florida from November to April.

No-See-Ums—If you’ve spent an evening outside, you know these nearly invisible little gnats are more annoying than mosquitoes. Literally, you cannot see ‘em.

Jit—Kids or teens (short for “jitterbug”).

Gator—Every local has an alligator story. Enough said. 

Love Bugs—Those pesky mating flies that cover your car each spring.

Alligator Alley—The stretch of I-75 that slices right through the Everglades.

Down South—In SWFL, this usually means “headed to the Keys,” not just geography.

Florida Man—Thanks to the infamous meme, this just means someone did something wild enough to make the news.

“It’ll Pass”—What people say when the daily 15-minute summer monsoon rolls in. Wait it out; it’s gone before you find your umbrella.

Florida Bath—Jumping in the pool instead of hitting the shower. Works if you’re a kid, maybe not so much if you’re late for work.

Parked in Goofy—When you leave your car at the farthest corner of the theme park, way out in “Goofy” lot.

Jiffy Feet—That black crust you get on your feet from walking barefoot on hot Florida pavement.

Wicked Up—Seriously hung over.

“Going to the Bay”—Believe it or not, in some parts, this is how you say you’re heading to Publix.

Flip-Flop Formal—In SWFL, you can throw on flip-flops for just about any occasion and still look presentable for that luncheon.

Florida Cracker—Here, it’s all about pride. If someone calls themselves a Florida Cracker, their family’s been here for generations.

Gone Fishin’—The simplest way to say you’re off duty. “The boss isn’t in. He’s gone fishin’.”

Jorts—Those jean shorts you see everywhere. Blame the heat, not the fashion.

Lanai—The absolute must-have screened-in porch. Keeps the bugs out, lets the breeze in.

Florida Room—Often confused with the lanai (close, but no cigar), every kid who grew up in Florida had one. It’s a bonus living room with jalousie windows; the place where the TV always seemed to be stuck on cartoons.

SoFlo—The local nickname for the whole South Florida stretch, from Miami through Naples and Venice. Think palm trees, Latin beats, and never-ending summer.

South Florida has a lot of Cuban influence, too. Words like “acere” (buddy), “dale” (hurry up), “oye” (hey), and “cafecito” (the strong, sweet espresso that powers Miami).

And, of course, hurricane and weather talk deserves its own category:

Hurricane Party—Gathering with neighbors to ride out a storm.

“Anything under a Category 3 isn’t worth waking up for.” Sounds crazy and not recommended, but longtime locals used to say it all the time until recently. 

Florida only has four seasons: Hurricane Season, Love Bug Season, Tourist Season, and Summer.

Sure, we missed a few. But that’s the thing about language: it changes as fast as Florida’s weather. Got a word to add? Tell us. We’ll put it in next time.

The post Lost in Translation? Welcome to the Wild World of Florida-Speak appeared first on Englewood Review.

People had seen her fighting for survival, so the FWC sent out its biologists and law enforcement, backed up by the Cape Coral Police and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. When they got to her, they found a propeller had hit her over 20 times. Even with all of her injuries, the baby wouldn’t leave its mother’s side.

Video taken at the scene of the rescue shows just how much muscle it took: 17 people worked together to lift both animals onto the FWC’s marine rescue boat. The baby manatee was already bigger than most adults at over seven feet long. Mama manatee measured almost ten feet.

After a rescue, FWC brings manatees to a critical care rehabilitation facility for treatment. Operations like this take a lot of gear, including a specialized rescue boat, climate-controlled transport trucks, nets, safety vessels, and a minimum of 10 trained rescue workers.

Manatees are key players in their ecosystems. Their eating habits keep waterways and sea floors healthy, according to NOAA. Cold snaps push them closer to shore, especially into canals and intracoastal waters. The FWC protects these gentle giants, threatened species under both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act.

Right now, biologists estimate between 8,000 and 12,000 manatees live in Florida. Their population bounced back enough that, in 2017, they shifted from endangered to threatened status.

Yet boat strikes remain a deadly reality. In their lives, over 90% of manatees sustain injuries from watercraft. It is rare for an adult manatee not to have sustained several hits, according to researchers. Those collisions lead to serious trauma, from sharp cuts, blunt injuries, sometimes death. Boat strikes account for about a quarter of all reported manatee deaths.

The post Rescuers Race to Save Injured 10-Foot Manatee Mom and Her Devoted Calf in SWFL Waters appeared first on Englewood Review.

You probably think little about hospitals or clinics until suddenly you need one. In Southwest Florida, health care leaders are keenly aware of just how fast demand is rising. That’s why the region is in the middle of a billion-dollar building spree, pouring money into new hospitals, specialty centers, and the latest medical tech.

Drive through anywhere in Southwest Florida, and you can’t miss the cranes and construction. These high-budget projects aren’t just a response to today’s needs; they’re a sign that the population boom here is nowhere near slowing down. Long gone is the image of Southwest Florida as just a sleepy retirement haven. Now, families with kids and people of all ages are moving in, each bringing their own healthcare needs.

Look at the numbers. Collier County had about 424,000 people in 2025, and experts at the University of Florida project it’ll hit nearly half a million by 2040. Lee County? Double that. Around 836,000 residents last year, expected to top one million within the next 15 years.

People here live longer, too. Collier boasts the highest life expectancy in Florida, almost 84 years, compared to the state average of just under 79. That extra five years adds up, pushing demand for medical services even higher.

“As our region keeps growing, we’re focused on smart investments that meet both today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges,” says Paul Hiltz, president and CEO of Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH). “From expanding specialized care to modernizing our facilities and upgrading technology, we’re committed to bringing top-notch, patient-centered care close to home.”

A lot of these projects have been in progress for years. The largest project is Lee Health’s new hospital in central Fort Myers. It’s a massive $824 million project and will be the largest of its kind in the area. Not far behind is NCH’s new cardiac and stroke center, with a $295 million price tag.

Then there’s the tech side. Southwest Florida Proton, based in Estero, just rolled out its $30 million IBA ProteusONE, a cutting-edge Belgian technology that delivers proton therapy for tough-to-treat cancer tumors while protecting healthy tissue. It’s the first center like it on Florida’s west coast, and one of only 46 in the country. Officials expect patients from all over Florida and beyond.

Not every project receives management from private companies or nonprofits like Lee Health and NCH. Two government-backed efforts are moving forward in Collier County: one expanding mental health services and another building a state-run nursing home for veterans.

So what’s the status with Lee Health’s big new campus in Fort Myers? The $824 million hospital is rising on a 53-acre site at Colonial and Jones Walker boulevards. When it opens, expected in fall 2028, it’ll offer 236 private rooms, with space to add more. They’re holding a topping-off ceremony on March 9.

Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health, says the region’s explosive growth makes expanding health care services urgent. Lee Health is already a $3.5 billion system, with four acute-care hospitals totaling 1,800 beds and a 135-bed regional children’s hospital. 

Patient rooms will feature the latest smart tech for both clinical care and comfort. The project also includes a medical office for the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute, with specialty clinics and a rehab gym, plus an ambulatory surgery center boasting 18 operating rooms for outpatient procedures.

Over at NCH, the new cardiac and stroke center broke ground in June 2025 at the NCH Baker Hospital campus on Seventh Street North. Construction should take about two years, with a target completion in late 2027.

The R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center stands five stories tall and spans 189,000 square feet, bringing heart and stroke care together in one place. Hospital leaders say the center features groundbreaking technology and represents a major step forward for patient care.

Philanthropy made most of this possible. The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation donated $20 million, and that’s why the center bears the Schulze name. Richard M. Schulze, founder of Best Buy and a Naples local, played a key role.

Consultants at NCH expect inpatient heart and stroke care to grow by 13%, with outpatient services jumping by 33%. Planning the center took four years. City of Naples officials pored over the plans, reviewed every detail, and required several rounds of revisions before finally giving their approval.

Whether you’re new to Southwest Florida or have lived here for years, expect to see a lot more happening in health care, and more options close to home.

The post Groundbreakings to Grand Openings: Inside Southwest Florida’s Medical Expansion appeared first on Englewood Review.

Blame a fierce cold front for this mess. Instead of the usual mild winter weather, Florida’s getting slammed with dry, arctic air. The temperatures will nosedive from the 80s on Saturday, down to the 60s and 70s Sunday, and then all the way into the 30s and 40s on Monday morning.

Here’s the real danger: That cold front, paired with drought, creates a perfect storm for wildfires. Winds are expected to gust up to 30 miles per hour behind the front, and humidity could drop as low as 15 percent in some spots. That’s drier than a bone. When humidity gets that low, even plants that looked healthy last week dry out fast, turning into wildfire fuel.

The National Weather Service (NWS) isn’t sugarcoating it: “Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

Timing just makes things worse. Drought has already left a lot of dead grass and vegetation, prime tinder when you throw strong winds and desert-like humidity into the mix. The pattern of warnings follows the cold front. Saturday hits the north, Sunday targets Tampa Bay, and by Monday, Southwest Florida is on alert.

Starting early Monday, the NWS in Tampa Bay Ruskin has a Fire Weather Watch in effect through Monday evening for Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, and DeSoto counties. Winds from the northwest will push at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25. Humidity could drop to 21 percent; that’s as dry as a typical day in the Mojave Desert. Any fire that starts during these windows will race across the landscape and be tough to stop.

For Sunday afternoon, around Tampa Bay, there’s already a Fire Weather Warning because of low humidity, breezy northerly winds, and a real risk for wildfires. When you see a Red Flag Warning, that means dangerous fire weather is happening now or about to start. Strong winds, dry air, and crispy vegetation can lead to fires that move fast and get out of control.

A Fire Weather Watch means those same conditions are in the forecast, so stay tuned for updates. Red Flag Warnings can pop up quickly.

Saturday, the first alerts came from Tallahassee, and Jacksonville as that arctic blast swept southeast. Forecasters expect a Red Flag Warning on Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. for much of North Florida, including Flagler and parts of Volusia counties.

Officials are urging everyone to hold off on outdoor burning, skip any activities that could throw sparks, and clear out dry debris around homes and buildings. This isn’t the weekend to take chances.

The post Southwest Florida’s Fire Season Goes Full Force as Dry Air Meets Rapid Cooling appeared first on Englewood Review.