Emma Rodriguez

The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count began on Christmas Day in the year 1900. During the annual count, birdwatchers walk around designated circular areas and count the type, and number of birds they see and hear over the course of the day. The information they collect is used to track bird populations in North and South America, and how they have changed over time. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s Christmas Bird Count covers the sanctuary and its surroundings. This year it’s happening this coming Saturday, Dec. 20 and we talk with the Sanctuary's director to learn more.

Florida Gulf Coast University students and staff worked alongside Island Coast High School students to plant a new mangrove forest on Bowditch Point Tuesday. The nearly 300 propagules, detached parts of mangroves that are used as seeds, will be used as a barrier for storm surge, habitat for native species, and more.

According to local health professionals, older adults are increasingly vulnerable to addiction and co-occurring mental health issues — especially in recent years. Substance abuse — most commonly alcohol but also prescription drugs like opioids — doesn't necessarily indicate a mental health condition, but they can often be connected. To get a sense of what lies behind the increase and what treatment options are out there, and what families and caregivers should watch for and how they can support loved ones in seeking help, we talk with someone from the Hazelden Betty Ford Clinic in Naples.

After delays in 2024 and 2025, Nova Classical STEM Academy is slated to open in August 2026. It’s created and operated by the Discovery Science Schools Network, an Orlando-based service provider for private and charter schools in Florida.

To welcome seasonal Sanibel and Captiva residents back to islands, Florida Trust Wealth Management hosted a seminar covering the basics of artificial intelligence (AI). The workshop gave residents an overview of AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to make everyday tasks easier.

Southwest Florida International Airport will offer reserved parking, named RSWRemote, during Thanksgiving week. Travelers can reserve a parking spot in a remote parking lot on the north side of the airport. Cars will be accepted into the lot from Nov. 24 at 3 am through Nov. 26 at 7 pm. Cars can exit the lot from Nov. 28 through the last flight arrival on Nov. 30.

The Bonita Wonder Gardens has received $1.3 million through Florida's State Funds Appropriation to build a new event center. The event center has been in the Gardens' master plan since the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

With Florida’s citrus industry declining, it’s important for growers to have robust backup crops to prevent financial loss. Dr. Zhanao Deng and his team with the University of Florida are decoding blackberry DNA to help Floridian growers.

The Education Foundation of Collier County's Champions for Learning program was started in 1990 with a mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. They have programs for students designed to prepare them for their future learning and career goals, both college or occupation-based learning and skill building. Of the roughly 350 students they worked with in their mentorship program, 100% graduated high school last year, 33 of which took dual enrollment courses and 62 received industry certifications. Almost three-quarters of their students are slated to be the first in their family to go to college or receive any other kind of post-secondary education. We talk with their new President and CEO, and an alumna of the program to better understand what they do and the impact their programs can have.

To celebrate National First Generation College Celebration Day, Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting a celebration for first-generation students, staff and faculty.