THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE EVERGLADES DETENTION CENTER KNOWN AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS EMPTY.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCED THE OFFICIAL CLOSURE ON THURSDAY, BUT THE SHUTDOWN IS NOT STOPPING.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

LEGAL FIGHT.

AS AMERICA'S 200 AND 50TH BIRTHDAY APPROACHES.

WE'RE BRINGING YOU THE UNCOVERED STORIES OF THE SUNSHINE STATE AND WHERE YOU CAN DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA.

AND ONE OF THE LARGEST STAKES ON EARTH SLITHERS BACK ON SCREEN.

WE ARE RETURNING TO THE WETLANDS WITH WILDLIFE EXPERTS TO SHARE MORE OUTSIDE THE BOX EFFORTS ON CAPTURING BURMESE PYTHONS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS CLOSED, MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY AT THE FACILITY LOCATED IN THE EVERGLADES.

NOW THE MIAMI-DADE MAYOR SAYS SHE WANTS THE SITE SOLD TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR PERMANENT CONSERVATION.

THE DETENTION FACILITY IS BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE DATE.

COLLIER TRAINING AND TRANSITION AIRPORT.

MIAMI DADE COUNTY OWNS THE LAND.

MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA SAYS THEY WANT TO SELL AND TRANSFER ALL COUNTY CONTROLLED LANDS AT THE SITE FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE GOAL IS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT THE LAND FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION.

IN THE MEANTIME, WGCU REPORTER MIKE BRAUN ATTENDED THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE AT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ.

>> ALMOST A YEAR TO THE DAY THE DETENTION FACILITY WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED DESANTIS WAS JOINED BY U.S.

BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN TO CONFIRM THE SITE IS SHUTTING DOWN ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ >> FULFILLED THE ROLE THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO SERVE.

>> TODAY AND NOW HAS 0 DETAINEES.

>> IT HAS HELPED REMOVE MANY, MANY DANGEROUS PEOPLE FROM THE STREET.

>> AND GET THEM OUT OF NOT ONLY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> BUT IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES SAY THE FACILITY WAS NEVER SAFE OR HUMANE FOR HOLDING PEOPLE.

THE SANTA SAYS THE SITE WAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED TEMPORARY WITH PLANS TO BREAK IT DOWN AFTER WAS NO LONGER NEEDED.

THE DEMOBILIZATION EFFORTS HERE AT THIS FACILITY >> ARE UNDERWAY.

WE STOOD THIS UP.

WE SURGED CRITICAL RESOURCES.

WE BUILT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WE WERE ABLE TO MANAGE VERY COMPLEX OPERATIONS AND WE ARE ABLE TO EFFICIENTLY EXECUTE THE MISSION WHEN CALLED UPON.

>> HE SAYS THAT BREAKING DOWN FACILITY, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 21,000 DEPORTATIONS DURING THE YEAR WAS OPEN.

WE'LL TAKE ABOUT 7 TO 14 DAYS.

SO AS OF NOW.

>> THIS FACILITY HAVING THIS.

>> HAS LED TO ALMOST 21,000 DEPORTATIONS AND THOSE WOULD BE PEOPLE BY AND LARGE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED BACK INTO SOCIETY AND FLORIDA HAD THIS SPACE NOT BEEN THERE FOR WGCUS I'M MIKE BRAUN.

>> FLORIDA AND CARIBBEAN DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

AT LEAST BENNETT JOINS US NOW.

THIS BENNETT, YOUR GROUP, ALONG WITH FRIENDS OF THE EVERGLADES FILED A LAWSUIT.

IT'S ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO TO THE DAY CLAIMING STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS BROKE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITH THE IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY AND NO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

LATER, THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE JOINED THE LAWSUIT TO PROTECT THEIR TRIBAL RIGHTS.

NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED THE FACILITY IS SHUTTING DOWN.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> AFTER A YEAR OF A REALLY HARD FIGHT WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS COALITION, NOT JUST ENVIRONMENTALIST BUT IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, JUST EVERYDAY FLORIDIANS.

I THINK WE CAN CELEBRATE.

TODAY IS A DAY THAT THERE ARE NO LONGER PEOPLE BEING HELD IN CAGES IN THE EVERGLADES AND THAT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS CLOSING DOWN.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO STOP AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MILESTONE.

BUT WE ARE ALSO FEELING THE PUSH TO KEEP FIGHTING UNTIL THE SITE IS ACTUALLY FULLY RESTORED BECAUSE THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO ON THAT FRONT.

>> WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CONCERN NOW THAT THE FACILITIES ACTUALLY EMPTIED IT?

>> I HAD 2 CONCERNS.

THE FIRST IS JUST THAT WE KNOW THERE ARE STILL GENERATORS ON THE SITE.

THERE ARE STILL 24 HOUR LIGHTS.

SEWAGE IS BEING HELD ON THE SITE.

ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE THREATENING BIG CYPRESS BEFORE ARE STILL THERE.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THAT IS TAKEN OFF THE SITE AND REMEDIATED, BUT WE'RE ALSO REALLY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY NOT BE THE END THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA COULD TRY TO USE THIS FACILITY FOR SOME OTHER DESTRUCTIVE PURPOSE OR TRY TO REOPEN ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ AGAIN.

AND SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO REST UNTIL WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT BIG CYPRESS IS SAFE, RESTORED AND CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE.

AGAIN.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO THE LAWSUIT SAYS THE FACILITY IS ACTUALLY CLOSING.

>> PAT?

WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE SPIN THAT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT FROM THE BEGINNING, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DOUBLE SPEAK, A LOT OF DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIONS TO THE MEDIA AND WHAT THE COURT WAS HEARING.

WE'RE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE TRUMP AND DESANTIS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE TO SAY TO THE COURT.

AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO DISTRICT COURT AND SEEING UNDER OATH WHAT THESE OFFICIALS HAVE TO SAY.

WE WANT TO KNOW FOR SURE THAT THIS FACILITY IS SHUTTING DOWN AND IT'S NOT GOING TO REOPEN.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO PRESS AHEAD.

>> FROM THE VERY START OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY YEAR AGO.

THE GOVERNOR STATED THIS WAS A TEMPORARY FACILITY AND IT WAS MEANT TO BE JUST THAT.

SO WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE TIMING OF HIS CLOSURE NOW AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR COURT CASE?

>> WELL, THE RECORDS MAN COVERAGE SHOWED THAT THE INTENT WAS TO OPEN OR KEEP THE FACILITY OPEN FOR UP TO 3 YEARS.

SO WE FEEL LIKE PERHAPS WE THAT LEAST SAVED BIG CYPRESS, 2 YEARS OF DAMAGE BY STOPPING IT.

NOW.

AND WE DO THINK IT'S NOTABLE THAT THEY'RE SHUTTING DOWN THE SITE AS WE ARE GETTING READY TO HEAD BACK TO DISTRICT COURT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE FEELING CONFIDENT THAT THE PRESSURE FROM THE PUBLIC FROM THE COURT SYSTEM, FROM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS WORKING.

AND WHAT FOOTPRINT?

>> DOES THIS FACILITY LEAVE ON THE EVERGLADES?

>> WELL, IT LEAVES HUNDREDS OF SQUARE FEET OF NEW PAVING THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE THE FACILITY WAS BUILT.

IT LEAVES THE RISK WITH THAT PAVEMENT OF MORE STORM WATER RUNOFF INTO THE SURROUNDING EVERGLADES.

THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR AND THAT MAY STILL CONTAIN CONTAMINANTS THAT ARE RUNNING OFF.

AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE LONGSTANDING IMPACTS OF THE WILDLIFE TO THE FLORIDA PANTHERS IN THE FLORIDA BATTLE TO BATS AND THE PLANTS THAT LIVE IN THIS AREA THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME FOR THEM TO BOUNCE BACK FROM IF THEY CAN.

AND SO ONE THING THAT WE ARE CALLING FOR, AS WE KNOW WHAT A LOT OF THE DAMAGE IS, BUT WE KNOW THAT MUCH MORE OCCURRED BEHIND THE BARBED WIRE FENCES THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN LEARNED ABOUT YET.

AND WE THINK THAT A PUBLIC TRANSPARENT PROCESS IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY TO COME UP WITH A RESTORATION PLAN, AN ALTERNATE PLAN TO MAKE SURE THE SITE IS NEVER USED AND ABUSED THE WAY IT WAS AGAIN.

>> AND CAN YOU TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE RESTORED AND CAN THE DAMAGE IS EVEN BE FIXED?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THE DEVIL IS REALLY GOING TO BE IN THE DETAILS HERE.

BUT THE FIRST STEP IS GOING TO BE TO GET ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES AND CONTAMINANTS OFF THE SITE.

THAT IS THE EASIEST FIRST STEP AFTER THAT.

WE'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO RELY ON THE EXPERTS TO TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

>> AND IT'S A BIT PREMATURE.

BUT YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD ACTUALLY BE CLEANING UP THE SITE AND DOING THIS RESTORATION PROCESS AND WHAT COST ICE TO TAXPAYERS.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION HERE, RIGHT?

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OWNS THE SITE THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA COMMANDEERED IT AND MADE THIS MESS WITH THE HELP OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN PARTNERSHIP.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THE HOOK.

BUT THE END OF IT AS WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LET OUR GOVERNMENT OFF THE HOOK AND THAT THEY DO THE RIGHT THING BY BIG CYPRESS IN THE EVERGLADES.

AND YOUR GROUP HAS STATED IT WANTS THIS TO NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

SO IS.

>> ARE THERE STEPS IN PLACE?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENSURE THIS?

>> YEAH, WE'RE EXPLORING OPTIONS RIGHT NOW.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT THE SAFEGUARDS THAT WERE ON THE SITE TO BEGIN WITH WEREN'T ENOUGH.

WE CAN'T WORK WITH THE STATUS QUO ANYMORE.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN A REAL BREACH OF THE PUBLIC'S TRUST WHEN THIS FACILITY WAS STOOD UP FOR THE BREACH OF OUR TRUST.

AND THE HUMANITY OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE RULE OF LAW AND ITS WILL AND ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE LEGAL SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE AND THAT THE LAND IS IN THE HANDS OF STEWARDS WHO ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO TAKE THE JOB SERIOUSLY TO PROTECT BIG CYPRESS.

>> AND HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE ACTUAL LOCATION WHERE AL KUT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ WAS KILLED?

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT LAND USED IN THE FUTURE?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE WANT TO SEE A CONSERVED.

IT'S A PART OF BIG CYPRESS AND THE GREATER EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS IT ALL OF THIS TIME SINCE THE LATE 1960'S, 1970'S AT THIS ONE RUNWAY WAS BUILT.

IT HAS BEEN A WEAKNESS FOR THAT SITE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN IT.

AND SO I THINK WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT NOW WHAT TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT KIND OF EXPLOITATION DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ELISE BENNETT, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HERE'S THE FACTS FROM THE WTC YOU NEWSROOM.

THE EVERGLADES ARE THE ONLY PLACE ON THE PLANET WHERE ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES LIVE TOGETHER IN THE WILD.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION.

COMING UP, BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY WITH THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE WE'RE FOLLOWING AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN IMMOKALEE.

THAT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF WGCUS CELEBRATION LEADING UP TO THE 4TH OF JULY HAS BROUGHT YOU A NUMBER OF STORIES ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF OUR COUNTRY AND SPECIFICALLY IN OUR STATE WHAT THIS MEANS OVER THE PAST 250 YEARS AS PART OF OUR COVERAGE OF AMERICA.

2.50, WE'RE SEEKING TO FIND THOSE UNTOLD STORIES ABOUT FLORIDA.

>> THAT SHE'D MAD YOU IN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA.

HUMANITIES JOINS US NOW IN STUDIO DRIVING ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE ST.

PETERSBURG AREA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

HAVING CAN YOU TELL US ALL ABOUT FLORIDA, HUMANITIES?

WHAT PURPOSE DOES THIS SERVE?

>> WELL, I GUESS FOR THE NEXT HOUR I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS KID >> FLORIDA HUMANITIES IS THE STATEWIDE NONPROFIT.

>> AFFILIATE FOR THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES.

THE 56 COUNCILS LIKE OURS AROUND THE COUNTRY WANT ANY STATE AND OUR ROLE IS TO CAPTURE THE STORIES OF FLORIDA WHERE WE CAN FIND THEM AND PRESENT IT TO AMERICA.

SO THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE FLORIDIANS CAN BE GOOD AMBASSADORS OF FLORIDA.

>> AND HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DOING AT JUST TOUCH ON?

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINES.

YOU HAVE PODCAST, YOU SUPPORT ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS, INCLUDING FILM.

SO TOUCH ON THE BEST WAY THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION PROMOTES CERTAIN IDEAS AND CULTURAL EVENTS IS THAT NOW WE CAN GET TO THE THE GRITTY OF IT.

>> WE PARTNER WITH THE SMITHSONIAN.

>> THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE STORIES TO TELL IN PARTS OF FLORIDA THAT CAN'T OTHERWISE BRING THE SMITHSONIAN ARE THEIR EXHIBITS TO THE STATE.

AND WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN WITH PARTNERSHIPS, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CENTER FOR THE BOOK WORKING WITH LIBRARIES, GETTING BOOKS TO LIBRARIES, STATE COULD NOT OTHERWISE PAY FOR THOSE BOOKS.

WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND TELLING THE STORY OF AMERICA 2.50, AND THOSE STORIES THAT WE WOULDN'T OTHERWISE ON THE STAND BECAUSE FLORIDA, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ON THAT NATIONAL LANDSCAPE.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

SO SOMETIMES IT'S THE MAGIC.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF GRANT MAKING SINCE 1973, 20 MILLION DOLLARS TOO SMALL TO MIDSIZE MUSEUMS TO HELP THEM PUT ON.

SPEAKERS SERIES ARE DOCUMENTARIES.

WE'VE WORKED WITH WCU IN THE PAST AND CURRENTLY THE PODCAST AWARD-WINNING PODCAST, WHERE WE BRING OFFICE TO THE PUBLIC THAT YOU WOULDN'T NECESSARILY COME ACROSS WITH GREAT WRITERS AND A MAGAZINE FOR MAGAZINE.

ALSO AND AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION.

AND WE PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THOSE IN-DEPTH STORIES SLICE OF LIFE STORIES, SENSITIVE TOPICS.

WE ENJOY PARTNERING WITH INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE ALSO DOING GOOD WORK TWICE IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THIS ORGANIZATION SUCCEED AND PROSPER.

>> I THINK FAT.

THE IMPORTANT IS IN THE DETAIL.

IF YOU TRAVEL TO A CITY AND YOU HAVE A GUEST WITH YOU, UN AMBASSADOR OF YOUR STATE.

IF WE DO SHARE THOSE STORIES AND UNDERSTAND THE 2 BEHIND THE BACKGROUNDS DISPEL THE MYTHS ON THE STAND, THE LORD AND THE CUSTOMS, THE RELIGION, THE SPIRITUALITY, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT MAKES THAT UNIQUE, FLORIDA, UNIQUE AND OUR ROLE IN THE COUNTRY.

SOMEONE ELSE IS GOING TO TELL A STORY RIGHT NO ONE SHOULD BE TELLING YOUR STORY AT YOUR KITCHEN TABLE.

YOU TELL YOUR STORY YOUR FAMILY HISTORY, YOU ARE PART OF THOSE CULTURAL ARTIFACTS AND THAT'S OUR ROLE.

NOT ONLY ARE WE CAPTURING IT AND SHARING THOSE STORIES.

WE ARE EQUIPPING SMALL INSTITUTIONS.

2 TELL THEIR STORIES.

WELL, AND THE BEST OF CLASS WAY.

>> AND IF SOMEONE WANTS TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> FLORIDA, YOU MANAGED OUT OVER WHO ALSO OWNS SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCAST.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND EXPLAINING EXPLAIN.

THIS IS WONDERFUL FUN STUFF.

YES, IT IS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE ON OUR AMERICA, 2.50, COVERAGE VISIT WGCU DOT ORG.

WHETHER IT'S PROVIDING CARE FOR A BABY OR TUTORING FOR SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE GUADALUPE CENTER OFFERS HELP REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY THE GUADALUPE CENTER SAYS IT SERVES ABOUT 2000 CHILDREN IN THE IMMOKALEE AREA, ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE U.S.

CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS ONLY 6% OF ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 25 EVEN HOLD A COLLEGE DEGREE.

JOINING US TODAY AND STUDIOS DON'T WANT TO COUNT VOTES.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE GUADALUPE CENTER IN IMMOKALEE.

DON, CAN YOU TELL US THE MISSION OF THE GUADALUPE CENTER?

>> CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

THE CENTER STARTED 40 OKLAHOMA'S 42 YEARS AGO IN IMMOKALEE AS A SOUP KITCHEN.

BUT A NOTICE THAT CHILDREN WERE NOT SPEAKING.

ENGLISH ARE READY FOR SCHOOL.

SO THEY STARTED DOING AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING.

THE MISSION OF THE GUY WITH HIS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION.

AND SO IF WE CAN HAVE OUR CHILDREN READY FOR KINDERGARTEN AND READY TO LEARN THAT THEY WILL BE ON A STRONGER PATH AND BREAK THAT CYCLE OF POVERTY.

>> HOW MANY CHILDREN TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT ARE THE DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> SO CURRENTLY WE SERVE MORE THAN 2000 CHILDREN IN IMMOKALEE FROM 6 WEEKS OLD ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE.

SO WE HAVE 3 PROGRAMS ARE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM, WHICH IS 6 WEEKS TO 5 AND WE SERVE ABOUT 559 CHILDREN.

THERE.

WE HAVE A AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE AND WE SERVE ABOUT 700 CHILDREN.

THERE.

AND THEN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE LITTLE OVER 100 STUDENTS IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM, WE'RE TRYING TO GET KIDS READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL, GETTING THOSE THAT CONFIDENCE THIS SKILL SET, GET THEM READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THEN OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM.

WE HAVE 135 CHILDREN, AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE THE NEXT GENERATION.

COLLEGE GRADUATES HAD DO.

YOU HAVE 2000?

YES, STUDENTS THAT USE OR HOW >> STUDENTS QUALIFY TO ATTEND THIS PROGRAM.

AND SO ON.

>> OUR PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN IMMOKALEE.

>> EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM, THERE IS A WAIT LIST.

WE HAVE OVER 400 CHILDREN ON OUR WAITLIST, WHICH IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO ADDRESS IN THE FUTURE.

AND AND THAT'S KIND OF ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS BY THE AGE GROUP THAT'S AVAILABLE.

BUT FOR AFTER SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM AND A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM TO ALL FREE.

AND IT'S THROUGH AN APPLICATION.

AND SO FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, IT'S YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO DO AN INTERVIEW.

YOU HAVE TO WRITE AN ESSAY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A 3 POINT TO CREATE A GREAT POINT.

AVERAGE.

BUT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE REALLY COMMUNITY-BASED AND ITS BASE FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE IMMOKALEE.

HE'S BEEN AT THE HELM OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.

>> HOW IS IT THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WHICH IS REALLY THE MISSION TO BREAK THAT CYCLE OF POVERTY.

THAT IS YOUR GOAL.

>> YES, YOU KNOW.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, IT WAS A LUXURY FOR RICH PEOPLE TO SEND THEIR KIDS WHY THEY GO PLAY TENNIS OR AND IT'S BABYSITTING TO SOME PEOPLE.

BUT TRULY 95, 90% OF A CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPED BEFORE THE AGE OF 5.

AND AT THAT TIME IS WHEN THEY NEED TO BE IN LITERACY, ENRICHED ENVIRONMENTS.

THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR MOTOR SKILLS ARE ARE ARE PROGRESSING AND THERE'S AGE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT FOR A LOT OF CHILDREN WHO ARE EITHER LEFT WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OR NOT IN WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY BE EXPOSING HIM TO THOSE WORKING WITH THEM.

THEY'RE DEVELOPMENTS GOING TO BE DELAYED IF YOU ARE, IT'S PROVEN IF YOU ENTER KINDERGARTEN BEHIND 75% OF THOSE KIDS WHO ENTER KINDERGARTEN BEHIND WILL NEVER CATCH UP TO THEIR PEERS, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE READING BY 3RD GRADE, WHICH HAS BEEN A NATIONAL MEASUREMENT OF IF YOU'RE NOT BEATING BY 3RD GRADE, HE MOST LIKELY WON'T GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL OR IF YOU DO, YOU WILL NOT GET A JOB THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A LIVABLE WAGE TO IT.

AND HOW DO YOU OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO HELP PAY FOR ALL THIS?

BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE.

IT IS.

IT IS.

>> YOU KNOW, 65% OF OUR FUNDING IS THROUGH PHILANTHROPY.

IT'S THROUGH GRANTS AND THE KINDNESS OF INDIVIDUALS WE GET ABOUT 2024% FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR FOOD PROGRAM AND SUBSIDIES FOR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM AND ABOUT 9.10%, FROM OUR PARENT FEES.

SO WE DO RELY ON ON THE KINDNESS OF INDIVIDUALS IN GRANTS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM AT THE QUALITY.

WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE, ESPECIALLY WITH EARLY LEARNING IS THAT IF YOU DEPEND ON PARENTS, FEES OR GOVERNMENT FEES.

YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR TEACHERS AS WELL IN THE QUALITY IS NOT AS GOOD AND YOU HAVE HIGH TURNOVER AND IT BECOMES THIS TERRIBLE CYCLE THROUGH THE GIFTS THAT WE GET THROUGH.

OUR DONORS WERE ABLE TO KARINE ENVIRONMENT FOR A WORKFORCE OF TEACHERS THAT MAKE THEM ON A CAREER PATH.

OUR TURNOVER RATE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS WENT FROM 35% DOWN TO 14%.

JUST WITH OUR TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOW COMMITTED AND THEY'RE LIVING NOW WORKING AT A LIVABLE WAGE.

AND SO WE'VE CHANGED THAT PROJECT OR E FOR THAT.

THAT PROGRAM.

BUT IF I ONLY RELIED ON PARENT FEES OR GOVERNMENT FUNDING, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO I AM A LITTLE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE PERFECT FOR THIS ROLE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT, TOO.

THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP, CATCHING SNAKES FROM A PLANE.

WE CONTINUE OUR INTERVIEW WITH A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST WHO BRAVED BURMESE PYTHON BREEDING SEASON TO HELP REMOVE A RECORD NUMBER JUNE IS PEAK BREEDING AND HATCHING SEASON FOR MANY OF FLORIDA'S FAVORITE ANIMALS FROM SEA SPREES AND MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

BUT THERE'S ONE LESS POPULAR SPECIES THAT IS ALSO LAYING EGGS RIGHT NOW.

BURMESE PYTHONS DURING THE BREEDING SEASON FROM NOVEMBER OF 2025.

TO APRIL OF 2026.

PYTHON TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CAPTURED MORE THAN 4 TONS OF BURMESE PYTHONS FROM THE EVERGLADES.

WE ARE BRINGING YOU MORE COVERAGE OF THE CONSERVANCY'S PYTHON REMOVAL AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.

AN ARTIST AT THE BIOLOGIST WITH THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JOINS US NOW.

AND YOU ACTUALLY ARE STAKE EXPERT AND YOU REALLY CREATED THIS RESEARCH AND REMOVAL PROGRAM THAT HAS LED TO THE REMOVAL OF A RECORD AMOUNT OF PYTHONS SINCE 2013.

YES.

NOW WHEN YOU ARE OUT THERE, YOU'VE IDENTIFIED WHERE THIS TAKE IS THAT YOU WANT TO CAPTURE WHAT NEXT TO ME OR YOU ARE EUTHANIZING IT.

AND THERE I MEAN, THE PROCESS.

SO THE PROCESS IS COOL.

CALM CAPTURE THE PYTHONS.

WE DON'T SAY THE P WORD UNLESS WE MEAN IT IN THE FIELD.

>> WE WON'T YELL PYTHON BECAUSE FOR US IT'S IT IMMEDIATELY TRIGGERS THE RESEARCHER LIKE WHERE LIKE UC ONE.

WE WANT TO STAY IN CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT GETS YOU A LITTLE MORE TRIGGERED, IF YOU WILL.

SO IF WE ARE FOLLOWING A MALE.

AND WE'RE LISTENING OF THOSE BEEPS.

IT'S GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER.

IT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY NEAT FEELING BECAUSE YOU COULD BE WALKING THROUGH SOME THICK COVER AND IT MIGHT JUST BE OVER THERE AND WALK THROUGH SOME MORE QUICK COVER.

AND THEN SOMEONE YELLS, PYTHON AND THEN, YOU KNOW YOUR SPRING INTO ACTION.

AND ON ONE OF THOSE CAPTURES THEY CAN BE NO BIG DEAL.

YOU JUST WALK UP AND THE SNAKE IS COOPERATING IS PICK THEM UP AND YOU PUT THEM IN A BAG AND YOU'RE ON TO THE NEXT ONE OR IT CAN TURN INTO A RODEO WHERE ONE OUT OF 10 IS A FIRE HOSE AND IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO DOWN.

SO IMAGINE A FIRE HOSE THAT YOU CAN'T GET TO GET THE HEAD.

SO FOR US, IT'S ONCE YOU HAVE THEM GRIP LIKE THIS.

THAT'S MORE THAN HALF THE BATTLE.

AND THEN YOU TRY TO KEEP THE TAIL.

AND FROM U.S.

KING, YOU, WE CALL THAT MUSK MANAGEMENT IN THE BUSINESS.

SO IF YOU'VE KEPT PRETTY GOOD AT HANDLING AM, YOU CATCH THE SNAKE AND THEN YOU DON'T GET COVERED IN THE SNAKE AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN YOU GO BACK TO THE CONSERVANCY'S.

I WERE.

YOUR LAB IS WHAT?

>> I JUST WONDER WHAT HAPPENS.

>> WHEN THEY GET EUTHANIZED.

SURE.

SO VISUALIZE IN THE PEAK OF A BREEDING SEASON WHEN OUR TEAM IS DIALED IN AND THE SNAKES ARE AS WELL, IT WE MIGHT HAVE A 4, 5, 100 POUND CAPTURED A WHERE WE HAVE A COUPLE REALLY LARGE FEMALES AND THE ASSOCIATED MALES.

SO THEY NEED TO GO.

THEY NEED THE HARD PART IS DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE IN THE ENVIRONMENT IS PACKING THEM OUT.

AND MY TEAM THEY'RE THEY'RE CAPABLE.

AND IF IT'S A VERY LARGE SNAKE WE'RE USUALLY SHARING THE LOAD BY PUTTING ONE OVER EACH SHOULDER AND MARCHING IN A LINE OUT.

SOMEBODY CUTS A TRAIL.

AND THAT'S KIND OF MORE CHALLENGING IS GETTING THEM FROM A TO BE GETTING INTO THE FIELD TRUCK.

THEN THEY'RE TRANSPORTED IN A LOCKBOX.

THEY COME BACK TO OUR LAB.

THEY ARE HUMANELY.

EUTHANIZE THROUGH VET, APPROVED PERMITS IN SUCH AND THEN THEY GET FROZEN.

AND THEN WHEN WE CATCH OUR BREATH, WE WILL CATCH UP ON THESE NEW CROP SEAS AND PROCESS THE ANIMAL.

AND THAT MEANS THAT THAT ANIMAL WILL BE DISSECTED AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN AND COW COUNTING THE EGGS TO BUILD UP THAT DATABASE AND THEN MORE SPECIFICALLY THE LAST PRAYER REMAINS.

SO THIS STOMACH CONTENTS AND THAT'S WHERE WE'VE SEEN.

SOME THINGS.

YOU CAN'T UNSEE OVERTIME ON OUR LAB TABLE WHERE?

WE WILL DISSECT THE PYTHON AND IT TYPICALLY IF IT'S A FEMALE PYTHON AND IT'S OVER 70 POUNDS, DEPENDING WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR WE OFTEN SEE THE FINAL REMAINS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER.

WOW.

SO THAT PYTHON'S HAVE AN AMAZING DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

OTHER RESEARCHERS STUDY THEM JUST FOR THAT ALONE.

BUT THE REASON THAT CONSERVANCY IS INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE AND LASER FOCUSED ON THE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS AS WHAT WE'VE SEEN.

THESE PYTHONS CONSUME.

AND TODAY, OUR RESEARCH PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WHO HAVE COMPILED THE STOMACH SAMPLES ALL THROUGH THE INVADED RANGE HAVE IDENTIFIED A BOARDS OF 86 SPECIES OF ANIMAL COMING FROM THE BELLIES OF PYTHONS THAT THEY PREDATE ON IN THEIR INVADED RANTS.

FASCINATING.

SO IT IS ANY DETECTIVE NOVEL THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING HERE AND EVERY SEASON STILL SHOWS US SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECORD YEAR.

THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR >> SHARING ALL THIS INFORMATION TODAY.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

6.

AND ANOTHER FACT FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

A NEW STUDY FROM THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOUND THAT SOME BURMESE PYTHONS CAN STRETCH THEIR MOUTHS UP TO 10 INCHES WIDE.

THAT'S BIG ENOUGH TO SWALLOW A BASKETBALL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WCU DOT ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN BACK HERE FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.