Tom Bayles
WGCU Environmental ReporterTom Bayles is WGCU's Senior Environmental Reporter and a 25-year veteran journalist in Florida. Before his tenure at WGCU Public Media, he worked for The New York Times Co. in Sarasota, the Associated Press in Miami and Tallahassee, and the Tampa Bay Times in Clearwater. He earned a master's in journalism and a bachelor's in education, both from the University of South Florida. The proud father of three sons, Bayles spends his free time fishing along the Southwest Florida coast in his 20-foot Aquasport with his Whippet pup, Spencer.
Bayles’ top awards include the Gold Medal for Public Service for Investigative Reporting from the Florida Society of News Editors, the Waldo Proffitt Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism in Florida, and being named the Sunshine State’s top environmental journalist by the Florida Press Club and FSNE. Bayles has been nominated four times for a Pulitzer Prize.
Email: tbayles@wgcu.org
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On Sanibel and Captiva islands this year, there were 14 green turtle nests — but the loggerhead turtle rules -
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a highly popular attraction located in the Western Everglades, straddling the line between the eastern portions of Lee and Collier counties, and will stay open late August 7, 2025. -
The immediate concern this weekend will be the heat, which is expected to be oppressive, intense, and dangerous. Afternoon showers are not expected Saturday due to a “sprawling plume of Saharan dust” blanketing South Florida. -
A new report from The Everglades Foundation found the River of Grass will generate more than $1 trillion for Florida’s economy during the next half-century. -
Wildland firefighters in the Big Cypress National Preserve are planning to light the first of three prescribed fires on June 9 to clear out dead underbrush. The so-called Mullet fire is being lit less than a week after decent rains fell on Florida for the first time in five months, and Southwest Florida and the Everglades are still gripped by drought. -
Enough rain fell during the end of May and beginning of June across the southern portion of the Florida peninsula to significantly lower the drought conditions — except for Southwest Florida including the Everglades, which remain in "extreme drought" according to the U.S. Drought Monitor -
The Saharan Air Layer can tame hurricanes, help grow fish food in the ocean, beautify sunsets, trigger asthma attacks, and turn blue skies white -
Microcystis, a type of cyanobacteria commonly called blue-green algae seen above under high magnification, can bloom in Florida freshwater systems. Microcystis species are well-known for forming harmful algal blooms in Florida lakes, rivers, and estuaries, including Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. These blooms often appear as fluorescent green surface scums and can produce toxins that can pose health risks to humans and animals. Microcystis blooms are common in warm, nutrient-rich freshwater environments in Florida, especially during summer, but can occur year-round. -
Florida's annual boating accident report tells of death and injuries, but includes ways to stay safe and have fun: wear life jackets, pay attention, follow the rules, go slow -
New research discovered an existing drought, like the one in South Florida since January, can lengthen heat waves, like the one parked over Florida, a North Carolina weather researcher found.
