Lake County is inviting residents to a community meeting for input on North Lake Regional Park improvements, potentially funded by a FRDAP grant. The meeting is on July 10 at the Umatilla Senior Center.

Several lakefront parks in Lake County will be temporarily closed early next week for nematode treatment of grass, with specific areas cordoned off and public advised to keep distance.

Winter Garden named a park after nonagenarian community figure Charlie Mae Wilder, featuring amenities aligned with her legacy. The dedication coincided with the city's Juneteenth celebration.

Winter Park halts swimming at Dinky Dock Park due to high bacterial levels; updates will follow once water is safe.

The east boat slips at Hickory Point Recreation Complex have reopened after renovations, with six updated slips available for boats up to 30 feet long. The west slips will close next for improvements.

Disney World's Epcot is relocating its 3 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for their well-being amid park renovations.

The City of Winter Park has reopened the boat ramp at Dinky Dock Park & Winter Park Chain of Lakes, allowing public access for boating and waterfront activities.

The Casselberry splash pad at Lake Concord Park is closed for two days due to a storm, with plans to reopen Friday.

Central Florida theme parks, including Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND, announce closures and flexible policies in response to Hurricane Helene's approach.

Orlando introduces a new pocket park in Ivanhoe Village as part of an urban renewal project, featuring greenery, sculptural seating, and enhanced lighting for leisure use.

Disney's Animal Kingdom announced the birth of Bakso, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub, marking the first such birth at the park in seven years.

Orlando couple donates two Australian Black Swans to Lake Eola Park as an anniversary gift, enhancing the diversity of the local swan population amidst recent hardships.

Rafiki, a 13-year-old male giraffe at the Central Florida Zoo, died after battling a chronic illness. He was part of the Species Survival Plan to conserve giraffes.

Orange County has conserved 1,700 acres of land through the Green PLACE program, using a $100 million fund set for ecological preservation. The program, backed by officials and environmentalists, aims to balance urban growth and biodiversity.

Tucker Ranch Park and Nature Preserve reopens free of charge after repairs from Hurricane Milton damage, featuring restored natural areas, enhanced infrastructure, and daily access from 8 am to 5 pm.

Disney's Animal Kingdom introduced a new lion pride to aid conservation and aligns with the "Protect the Pride" campaign and the release of "Mufasa: The Lion King."

SeaWorld Orlando has taken in 12 cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles as part of a multi-organization rescue effort, focusing on their rehabilitation and eventual release.

Osceola County officials have broken ground on Westside Technology Park in Four Corners, merging recreation with tech-education while practicing environmental conservation.

Astor Lions Park facilities, including the playground and dog park, are closed due to nearby library construction but will reopen December 18. The library remains open.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park introduces AR art installations, part of the City Unseen initiative, transforming murals into interactive experiences via a mobile app.

Kissimmee introduces "EcoTour Services" boat tours at Lake Tohopekaliga and Shingle Creek for nature enthusiasts offering educational and accessible experiences focused on conservation.

Wekiwa Springs State Park implements a day-use reservation pilot program to mitigate traffic and enhance visitor experience, effective March 12 through September 1.

Sully, a young spider monkey, had his arm amputated after getting entangled in zoo enclosure mesh and sustaining a severe injury. Brevard Zoo expects him to adapt well despite the accident.

Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee reopens, marking a step in the $150 million Lancaster Ranch Park project that includes trails, parks, and more.

Florida may reinstate bear hunting after a decade, with FWC seeking public input on managing the black bear population amid increasing sightings and human-bear encounters.

The Oakland, Florida community is alarmed as 30 peafowl are found dead, with local advocate Mo Jacobson seeking sanctuary status for the birds amid ongoing investigations.

FAU's ocean camera, attached to a nurse shark, recorded a rare encounter with a great white shark, offering unique insights into shark interactions and behavior.

The Brevard Zoo opened a new Manatee Rehabilitation Center, admitting two manatees, Churro and Randa. The center can care for up to six manatees with advanced facilities.

Sea turtle nesting season begins in Volusia County with early nests spotted and local efforts to protect these marine species, emphasizing public education and beach practices for a successful season.

A kangaroo escaped onto a busy road in St. Cloud, Florida, but was safely captured and is now at a local facility while authorities search for its owner.

Lake County unveils a new mural that highlights its environmental values and commitment to preserve natural resources, displayed at the County Administration Building.

Osceola County unveils a new 1.5-mile segment of the Connector Trail, enhancing the local trail network for outdoor activities and community connectivity.

Fort Christmas Historical Park offers a glimpse of Central Florida history between 1870-1930 with a fort replica, pioneer homes, and museums. Open daily, it also features recreational sports and educational programs.

Orlando's Albert Park is undergoing renovations to include new greenery, a pavilion with a stage, and improved lighting, with plans to distribute oak seedlings in homage to a fallen local tree.

Orlando celebrates 100 years of swan boats with a golden boat at Lake Eola Park, a testament to the park's history and enduring community significance.

SeaWorld Orlando announced the death of Katina, a 50-year-old killer whale, after a decline in health, highlighting her contributions to the park and conservation efforts.

Florida investigates 101 vulture deaths at Blue Spring State Park; avian flu concerns prompt park closures and testing, with similar bird fatalities at Orlando's Lake Eola.

A hard freeze left the shoreline at Circle B strewn with thousands of dead tilapia; park officials say scavengers and decomposition will restore the marsh.

Orlando's Lake Eola reports no new swan deaths for nearly a month after an avian flu outbreak, leading to increased scrutiny over swan safety and care.

An 88-year-old Sanford homeowner says wild hogs have plowed her four-acre lot, leaving deep holes and torn landscaping. Neighbors say a hunter was denied permission to pursue the animals on city land.

Sanford breaks ground March 4 on a $5.3M Fort Mellon Park overhaul that adds a new amphitheater and Lake Carola shoreline upgrades. The six-month project aims to boost waterfront programming.

Fishermen off Cape Canaveral filmed a massive great white swimming feet from their boat; the footage shows the shark circling close to the hull.

A coalition of 32 groups is urging Florida lawmakers to tap trust‑fund receipts and boost appropriations after a state report found a roughly $759M parks repair backlog.

A troop of rhesus macaques at Silver Springs State Park offers dramatic wildlife sightings while prompting safety warnings and renewed questions about management.

A harbor seal was seen on a Mosquito Lagoon sandbar south of Ponce Inlet; Hubbs‑SeaWorld responders photographed it before it swam off. Officials ask the public to report sightings.

Alligator sightings are rising across Central Florida as mating season approaches. Officials urge keeping distance, securing pets and reporting threatening animals to FWC.

Orlando has banned public feeding of Lake Eola’s swans and removed coin‑operated feeders after this winter’s avian‑flu losses. The city says swans will be fed via floating dispensers while staff finalize a new care plan.

Sanford temporarily closed its Paw Park for treatment after a surge of fuzzy tussock caterpillars whose barbed hairs can cause painful rashes. Officials say targeted spraying will follow.

A proposed Seminole County ordinance would ban smoking and vaping at county parks to protect kids and cut litter; commissioners are set to discuss the measure next week.

A Florida delegation hand‑delivered a letter to Congress warning H.R. 1897 would roll back decades of recovery for manatees, panthers and sea turtles.

Neighbors at a Monday meeting warned that a conceptual Leu Gardens master plan — including a bigger visitor center, lakefront dining and a pavilion — could alter the park’s quiet character.

An underweight male manatee calf was found near John Pennekamp in Key Largo and transported to SeaWorld Orlando for intensive rehabilitation.

A jaw‑dropping video from Gatorland shows a large alligator seize and eat a smaller gator near the park’s breeding marsh. Experts say such cannibalism is a known part of gator ecology.

Bodycam shows Osceola deputies wrestle and secure an alligator; officials used the video to warn residents to stay back as mating season ramps up.

State officials say FSMI has completed airborne LiDAR and gathered most sonar data, revealing new reefs, paleorivers and offshore sand resources. Processed maps are due fall 2026.

Four marked sea turtle nests on South Cocoa Beach were found disturbed after Memorial Day, forcing volunteers and the FWC to scramble to protect eggs.

A rhesus macaque wandered into a Longwood backyard Wednesday, prompting residents to notify Florida Fish and Wildlife.

Conservation crews are juggling ATV patrols and fragile chicks as Florida's nesting season hits full swing.

A Belle Isle homeowner found an alligator paddling in a backyard pool late last week; officers secured and relocated the reptile and no injuries were reported.

Rescuers say discarded fishing line and trap gear are tangling more bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon, putting calves and adults at risk. Experts urge anglers to secure line and report entangled animals.

New state records show at least 414 nuisance alligators have been removed from Walt Disney World since the 2016 death of toddler Lane Graves.

Blue‑crowned conures from South America are forming wild colonies along the Space Coast, drawing both delight and concern from residents and wildlife experts. Zoo staff and the FWC urge owners to rehome instead of releasing pets.

A stretch of the Rainbow River briefly closed after a snorkeler was bitten. Crews removed the alligator and reopened the river, officials say.