All posts by Donna Green-Townsend

New Florida Springs Institute will serve as an umbrella organization to collect data and raise awareness of Florida’s springs (01/24/2011)

News, , ,

Aired on WUFT on January 24th, 2011

On Tuesday night the Marion County Commission will continue discussion about potentially taking over the operation of the Silver Springs attraction. One researcher planning to attend that meeting is Bob Knight. Knight did his doctoral research on the Silver River back in the 1970s under the guidance of the late Howard Odum at the University of Florida. Odum was the first scientist to study the ecosystem of the Silver River more than half a century ago. Now a new Florida Springs Institute has formed in his honor. Bob Knight is the Executive Director. Last Thursday about 130 people attended the inaugural reception for the organization. Knight told WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend the institute will work with a variety of state agencies to bring research and education efforts together under one umbrella to try and improve the health of Florida’s springs.

‘The Blue Path’ combines art and science to bring awareness about springs protection (01/24/2011)

News, , ,

Aired on WUFT on January 24th, 2011

There’s a new grassroots effort underway to try and save Florida’s springs. It’s called “The Blue Path.” The campaign incorporates the “Arts” into the picture. The Blue Path campaign includes the current exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History as well as area painters and photographers among others. The coordinator for “The Blue Path” is Annie Pais who is also the Executive Director of “Florida’s Eden” organization. She talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Vegetable growers scramble during this week’s freezing weather (01/14/2011)

News, ,

Aired on WUFT on January 14th, 2011

The frigid winter weather in North Central Florida has kept farmers busy this past week. As Donna Green-Townsend reports, vegetable growers in Putnam County were scrambling to get their crops to market before the freezing temperatures could hurt their profit margins.

 

 

Vegetable growers in North Central Florida scramble to get their crops to market during a January, 2011 freeze.

Cold December adds to 2010 manatee death toll (01/05/2011)

News, , ,

Aired on WUFT on January 5th, 2011

The cold snap in December on top of the major cold snap earlier in 2010 doubled the yearly average of manatee deaths in Florida. Overall, 767 manatees died last year with nearly three hundred of those deaths coming from “cold stress.” The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission handles the necropsies on the manatee carcasses. FWC veterinarian Martina DeWitt talked with 89.1 FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about how the cold weather took a toll on the endangered sea cow.

Massive wildfire near Island Grove, Lochloosa and Cross Creek continues to grow from windy, dry conditions (12/22/2010)

News, , ,

Aired on WUFT on December 22nd, 2010

Firefighters from a variety of agencies continue to battle a growing wildfire near Island Grove and Cross Creek in Southeast Alachua County not far from the historic Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. About 300 acres burned on Tuesday near Lochloosa Lake. That fire has tripled in size because it’s in an area where firefighting equipment can’t get to. WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Division of Forestry, Ludie Bond to get an update on what’s being called the “Burnt Island fire.” Meanwhile, because of extremely dry conditions, Alachua County has issued a burn ban until the area receives more rainfall.

 

From Donna’s Audio Archives: Former Heisman Winner Danny Wuerffel’s Christmas CD

Features, News, , , , ,
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Cover of Danny Wuerffel’s Christmas CD

Heisman Trophy Winner and former UF Gator quarterback Danny Wuerffel is known for his passion for mission work.  Just a few years after winning a national college football championship while playing QB for the Gators Danny decided to gather some football buddies and other friends and family together to produce a Christmas CD.

Former Gators Jason Odom, Lawrence Wright and James Bates joined Wuerffel on, Go Tell It On The Mountain.  Members of the well-known band Sister Hazel, Ken Block and Andrew Copeland, performed on He Come From The Glory and Silent Night.  The goal of the music project was to benefit Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans.  Wuerffel wanted proceeds from the Heaven & Nature Sings Christmas CD to go toward helping the ministry with its goal of transforming impoverished urban neighborhoods into flourishing, healthy communities.  From Donna’s 2001 audio archives here’s the feature she produced on Wuerffel’s music venture.

Ruth Alexander talks about paving the way for women athletes at the University of Florida

Sports

Aired on WUFT on December 9th, 2010

When Ruth Alexander first came to the University of Florida in 1969, the “Lady Gator” athletic program did not exist. She had a vision for women’s sports at UF and has recently been nominated by the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame for seeing that vision through. This isn’t the first time she has been recognized. Her work with the “Lady Gators” during the 1970’s helped her become the first woman to be appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Richard Nixon. WUFT FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with her this week.

The Hippodrome’s Rusty Salling reflects on his long history as ‘Scrooge’ in ‘A Christmas Carol’

Arts

Aired on WUFT on November 29th, 2010

“A Christmas Carol” is now on-stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville and runs alternately with a new play this year, “This Wonderful Life.” Actor Rusty Salling talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about his longtime role as “Scrooge.”