Category Archives: Features

“Speak Up For Florida’s Waters” to bring attention to plight of Florida springs and waterways

June 22, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Estus Whitfield, Florida Conservation Coalition, Silver River State Park, Speak Up For Florida's Waters, U.S. Senator Bob GrahamDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT June 22nd, 2012

The decline of Silver Springs and many other waterways in Florida is the reason for a special environmental event tomorrow at Silver River State Park in Ocala called, “Speak Up For Florida’s Waters.” The Florida Conservation Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group founded by former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and two-time Florida governor is the key sponsor. Many other groups will join him for the rally at the park. Estus Whitfield, who has been an environmental advisor for several Florida governors is the coordinator for the Florida Conservation Coalition. Whitfield talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Tomorrow’s “Speak Up for Florida’s Waters” event at the Silver River State Park in Ocala runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will include food, displays, music and trips on the Silver River.

Salinity in Cedar Key: bad for drinking water, good for clams

June 21, 2012Newsaquaculture, Cedar Key, Cedar Key clams, Donna Green-Townsend, Leslie Sturmer, salinityDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on June 21st, 2012

Clam Farmers Play Waiting Game Final.wmv.Still013 — *Cedar Key clams (picture by Brittany Thompson)*

Cedar Key residents lined up on Wednesday to receive jugs of fresh drinking water. Saltwater intrusion into the city’s well field caused by the drought has city and health officials working for a solution. Meanwhile, the key industry that fuels the Cedar Key community is thriving. Clam farming has had a 45-million dollar impact on the coastal communities around Cedar Key. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with aquaculture extension agent Leslie Sturmer about how the saltier conditions are giving clam farmers a bumper crop.

Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham to speak at springs and waterways protection summit in Ocala

June 18, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Ocala, springs and waterways protection summit, U.S. Senator Bob GrahamDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on June 18th, 2012

Former U.S. Senator and two-time Florida Governor Bob Graham has been a longtime champion for the restoration of the Florida Everglades. This coming Saturday Graham will participate in an event about many of Florida’s other water bodies. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend reports:

Senator Graham will give the keynote address at this Saturday’s event called “Speak Up for Florida’s Waters” at a Florida’s Springs and Waterways Protection Summit in Ocala. Graham says many of Florida’s water bodies are in peril.

The “Speak up for Florida’s Waters” is being sponsored by several organizations including the Silver Springs Alliance, the Florida Springs Institute, the St. John’s Riverkeeper group, the Silver River Museum, the Marion County Springs Festival and the Florida Conservation Coalition to name a few. Graham says the ultimate goal of the Coalition is to see positive political action over concerns about the degradation of many of the state’s rivers and springs.

Graham expressed disappointment over how lawmakers dismantled many of the regulations and conservation measures for the state’s waterways in 2011.

Despite what he calls a troubling year, Graham says he’s optimistic about the future of Florida’s environment:

Senator Graham will be joined by State Senator Lee Constantine along with springs scientist, Dr. Bob Knight, former Chief Biologist for the Florida State Park System, Jim Stevenson and Florida outdoors photographer John Moran. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver River State park. The free event will include educational presentations, exhibitions, food, live music and tram rides to the Silver River.

President Obama proposes major immigration changes

June 15, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Harvest of Hope, immigration, Phil Kellerman, undocumened immigrantsDonna Green-Townsend

Aired June 15th, 2012

Earlier today the Secretary of Homeland Security and the President announced that they will stop deporting the children of undocumented immigrants and begin giving work permits to younger people who came to the U.S. as children. This decision will affect as many as 800,000 immigrants, and allow them to apply for work authorization without the fear of being deported. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the President of an organization that assists the needs of migrant workers called Harvest of Hope about today’ announcement.

Kellerman adds the Harvest of Hope Foundation is holding a yard and book sale to benefit a migrant farmworker who is in the St. Francis House with inoperable cancer. The goal is to raise funds to help transport him to his family in Texas. The event will be on Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at 3519 NW 53rd Terrace in Gainesville just off NW 39th Avenue.

Documentary on Sunshine Skyway Bridge jumpers wins national Murrow Award

June 13, 2012NewsBridge jumpers, Donna Green-Townsend, Rich Halten, Splash, Suicide, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa BayDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on June 13th, 2012

“Suicide” is often considered a sensitive topic in society. But independent radio producer Rich Halten says he hopes his recent Murrow Award winning documentary on the subject can help make a difference to people thinking about taking their life. Halten recently produced a documentary called “Splash” telling the story of a man who survived jumping off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Halten talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Tips to avoid alligator attacks

June 12, 2012Newsalligator encounters, alligators, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Karen ParkerDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on June 12th, 2012

A Gainesville man is recuperating after being attacked by a 9-foot alligator near a homeless campsite in the woods east of South Main Street last evening. Alligator attacks are not uncommon in Florida, especially this time of year when more people are outdoors and recreating near water bodies. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Karen Parker about ways to avoid such encounters.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes” opens tonight at the Hippodrome State Theatre

June 1, 2012ArtsDonna Green-Townsend, Hippodrome State Theatre, Marvelous WonderettesDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on June 1, 2012

Marvelous Wonderettes 1

: The Marvelous Wonderettes

The latest production at the Hippodrome State Theatre, opening tonight will take the audience on a musical trip down memory lane. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with two of the actors in the the Hipp’s production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”

Beryl cuts the music a little short at the Florida Folk Festival

May 29, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Florida Folk Festival, Hamilton County, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, Tropical Storm Beryl, White SpringsDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on May 29th, 2012

This weekend between 10 to 15 thousand people were attending the Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend reports, White Springs is in Hamilton County and was in the target area for high winds and heavy rain from what was “then” Tropical Storm Beryl as the storm was moving west across the state.

Beware of “jumping sturgeon” in the Suwannee River this Memorial weekend

May 25, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Karen Parker, sturgeon, Suwannee RiverDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on May 25th, 2012

Memorial Day weekend is usually one of the busiest times on Florida’s waterways, lakes, rivers and the ocean. According to statistics compiled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Office of Boating and Waterways, the number one cause of boating deaths in Florida is drowning, so wildlife officials remind people to wear life-jackets. Other suggestions for a safe weekend of boating include: not overloading the boat with people or equipment, carrying a cell phone, filing a float plan with relatives and being weather-wise. In addition to these suggestions, wildlife officials are also warning boaters to look out for sturgeon jumping out of the water in many of North Central Florida’s rivers, especially the Suwannee River. Water levels are especially low which puts many boats and sturgeon in closer proximity. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker about the dangers of jumping sturgeon

The state official folk festival celebrates 60 years this weekend

May 25, 2012Arts, NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Florida Folk Festival, Hamilton County, Tom Shed, White SpringsDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on May 25th, 2012

The 60th Annual State Folk Festival got underway today in White Springs just north of Lake City and runs thru Sunday night. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with longtime festival performer Tom Shed about the history of the longest running folk festival in the country.