Columns
Clean Water: We all depend upon it
September 18, 2025
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY
Editor’s Note: This is the last of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness about the issues facing our is…
History: Boca Grande in the 1960s
September 18, 2025
BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER
Betty and Jack Barndollar first came to Gasparilla Island in 1959, a year after the bridge had been built. Three years later, they built a house and mov…
CAPT. VAN HUBBARD: Get on the boat, reflect
September 18, 2025
Despite challenges, we still enjoy special ‘place of paradise’
I understand we will see hotter weather again. I’m enjoying our recent overcast skies and cooler fall-like days. Our Gulf and Bay wa…
EcoWatch: The cost of political violence rises in today’s world
September 18, 2025
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated reframes of nature in the assurance that da…
Eighteen thousand loggerheads hatched so far
September 11, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
As I’m writing this article, BGSTA turtle patrollers have completed 278 inventories involving the sea turtle nests on Gasparilla Island. In previous articles, I’ve…
Spotted eagle rays still listed as endangered; whip-like tail
September 11, 2025
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY
Editor’s Note: This is one of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness about the issues facing our island…
EcoWatch: Eco news to ponder and reflect upon
September 11, 2025
“All magic comes with a price, dearie”
Rumpelstiltskin, a character on ABC’s Once Upon a Time
On Aug. 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a white paper and supporting materia…
Nesting activity showing stronger results compared to 2024
September 4, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
Wow, the 2025 sea turtle nesting season is sure winding down quickly now! If you’ve been tracking the weekly statistics in the Boca Beacon, you may have noticed th…
Virtual training for your dog as first step
September 4, 2025
Virtual dog training allows owners to access real-time video sessions with professional trainers. It’s fun and it works without having to leave your house, and your dog will be in a comfortable envi…
The manatee, a critical keystone species of Florida
September 4, 2025
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY
Editor’s Note: This is one of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness about the issues facing our island…