Posts by Gracie Seidel
Ask the Governor to end the hunt
At their August 2025 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to adopt new rules allowing annual hunts on Florida black bears, despite the serious concerns raised…
Read MoreResilience, quality of life, and home rule: How one new law has hamstrung local governments and further eroded local control
A bill passed last legislative session focused on emergency response, including hurricane recovery, is causing local governments to worry their hands may be tied when it comes to making smart…
Read MoreProtecting paradise, the Seeley-Ferguson family’s gift to the future
Nancy F. Seeley’s legacy at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is both personal and profound. “I can’t ever remember a time in my life when she didn’t care about nature,”…
Read MoreProtect our wetlands: Stop the brazen attempt to go around the courts
We’ve seen efforts like this before: Lowering the bar on water quality standards because the higher standards were not being met. Changing longstanding agency policy to allow new development to…
Read MoreThe Everglades detention center’s threat to wildlife, water, and Big Cypress
Vital history: How Big Cypress National Preserve was first protected In the late 1960s, plans for the Everglades Jetport—a six-runway facility that would have been the largest airport in the…
Read Morevon Arx Wildlife Hospital to remain open during Nature Center closure in September
The Nature Center will be closed for annual maintenance on buildings and grounds from September 2 through 29. While the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will close temporarily for…
Read MoreHelp protect Florida’s black bears
At their August 2025 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is scheduled to decide on a new Florida black bear hunt. Take part in our action alert…
Read MoreProgress for Everglades restoration continues with newly opened C-43 reservoir
Progress for Everglades restoration continued on June 1, 2025, as water impressively jetted out into the newly opened C-43 reservoir in Hendry County. This long-awaited 18-square-mile reservoir project will store up…
Read MoreAnimal awareness: Giving wildlife the best chance of survival
The von Arx Wildlife Hospital cares for thousands of injured, orphaned, or sick native wildlife 365 days a year. Most of the injuries that we see in the animals admitted…
Read MoreConservancy’s summer camp encourages young nature explorers
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida held our annual summer camp during the month of June. With four week-long programs, our summer camps are designed to foster a deep connection with…
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