Where do the Amish go for vacation?  Florida, of course. The Pinecraft community in Sarasota is Florida’s largest Amish enclave. Katie Pankow has more on this extraordinary community as part of the series “Florida: Heaven on Earth?”

The oil disaster off the coast of Louisiana has many Floridians wondering if any oil will reach our shores.  It’s also given those opposed to drilling more fodder.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports on some reactions from politicians and conservation groups from around the state.

State Agriculture officials are using Cinco de Mayo to alert residents to a threat to Florida’s backyard and commercial avocado trees.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Oceanographers, ecologists and biologists are weighing in on the potential effects the oil spill in the Gulf could have on Florida’s coastline and the Everglades ecosystem.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Rick Bender gets a lot of attention whenever he enters a room.  He’s known as the man with half a face.  He says it’s the best tool to get the message out about the dangers of chewing tobacco. As WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports Bender is in southwest Florida this week.

The City of Cape Coral has spent more than 25 million dollars to develop a new public park.  But the land the city has in mind is also the nesting site for federally protected Florida Scrub Jays.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

The oil slick in the Gulf could potentially do more environmental damage than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989 – especially if it gets into coastal estuaries.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Southwest Florida Cities earned high marks on a national air quality report released last week.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

The 3rd annual Southwest Florida Hunger Summit held Friday in Fort Myers drew many attendees from local service agencies looking for better ways to help the hungry.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

There’s a bill awaiting Governor Charlie Crist’s signature that would make owning or importing Burmese pythons – and several other species of non-native snakes and reptiles – illegal in Florida.  He is expected to sign it.  It comes in response to what biologists agree is a serious threat to South Florida’s ecosystem.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry recently attended a training session for what’s called Python Patrol.  It’s an effort to stem the spread of these prolific breeders that have no natural enemies…with help from the public.