Fire, flood, storms and heat: New collaboration communicates impact of changing climate on county

Published on June 24, 2024

Changing climate patterns and more frequent and intense extreme weather challenge Highlands County and its residents every day. Landlocked in the center of the state, it can be easy to assume climate variability like sea level rise and hurricane threats don’t impact the interior of Florida as coastal communities, but science, and the experiences of those in these areas, says otherwise.

To share the science behind everyday, environmental impacts, Highlands County’s University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension and the county’s non-profit research center Archbold Biological Station are partnering on a monthly six-part series. The goal is to describe through science, research and experiences, the impacts of a changing climate on the lives of the residents and the environment surrounding them.

This series will share the works of scientists, conservationists, ranchers, farmers, educators and others who experience these changes and highlight the ways these stewards are seeking to understand and combat them to build resilience for the ‘storms’ to come.

Continue reading the article by Zach Franco: Fire, flood, storms and heat: New collaboration communicates impact of changing climate on county | News | midfloridanewspapers.com

Other news

Florida Panther Breeding Area Expands in Partnership with Citrus Producer

June 20, 2024
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Florida have partnered to purchase a conservation easement at G Road Grove, an active citrus grove and tree nursery in Florida panther habitat. This expands the protected area within the Florida Panther Dispersal Zone. It’s a 30,000-acre corridor in Hendry and Glades counties that helps connect

Florida leaders approved $300M to protect thousands of acres of green space across the state

June 24, 2024
TAMPA, Fla. - Governor Ron DeSantis and his cabinet approved millions of dollars for the environment. It's to protect thousands of acres near two of the Tampa Bay area's most environmentally important rivers: The Peace River and the Myakka.While factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and lower taxes have driven more new residents to our ever-crowding roads, Florida ranchers have quietly conserved thou