Special to WGCU

Over the weekend, a fascinating yet fragile reproductive phenomenon called the coral spawn, took place in the Upper Keys at one of Reef Renewal USA’s offshore nurseries. In August annually, after the full moon, millions of gametes, or reproductive cells, are released underwater in a synchronized mass-spawning exchange, enabling the eggs and sperm to enter the water.

A 13-Year-Old Fort Myers girl was the 170,000th Disney Wish Recipient on Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary in July. The tech-loving Make-A-Wish teen was hosted by Disney Imagineers at Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland for her wish.

There were 64 photos entered in the Youth category — age 17 and younger — by 42 photographers in the 2025 Six Mile Cypress Slough’s photo contest honoring Carolyn Babb. A total of 270 photos were submitted in all categories combined by 113 different people. Twenty-nine photos received honors. The contest is limited to amateur photographers.

For the fourth year, Saildrone and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are sailing a fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) into hurricanes to better understand how these dangerous storms form, track, and intensify.The mission officially started this week with 12 vehicles stationed in six operational areas identified by NOAA as having a high probability of intercepting a storm.

FGCU Softball bested the Florida Atlantic Owls 3-2 Saturday in a College World Series regional game in Gainesville but were eliminated later in the day by South Alabama 5-1.After a prolonged rain delay, FGCU took to the field at Pressley Stadium to face off against the Owls. Avery Viancos was a force at the plate going 3-for-4 in the first game and either scored or drove in every run scored by the Eagles on the night.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to decide by June 1, 2025, whether to protect the imperiled ghost orchid. A news release from The Center for Biological Diversity said the USFWS agreement follows a lawsuit filed by the Center, The Institute for Regional Conservation, and the National Parks Conservation Association.

A behind-the-scenes look of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium was provided recently as construction continues and the facility gets closer to its anticipated 2025 opening date. Mote SEA differs from other aquariums and attractions since science and education is in its name and is the focal point for all guest experiences.The new facility will embody Mote’s vision of Oceans for All, doubling the number of visitors exposed to marine science each year and providing no-cost opportunities for schools to utilize specialized STEM teaching labs to ensure that every child has hands-on marine science and technology experiential learning opportunities.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued a reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on the state’s beaches. Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats.