THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE DISCUSSION OVER PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS BEING PRESCRIBED TO CHILDREN WITH CONCERNS THE DRUGS HAVE ON DEVELOPING MINDS.

THE FLORIDA SURGEON GENERAL ADVISES CAUTION BEFORE PRESCRIPTIONS ARE FILLED OUT BUILDING A LIFESTYLE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE FAST LANE.

A NEW MOTOR SPORTS INSPIRED COMMUNITY IS PROPOSED FOR COLLIER COUNTY ON A LOCATION THAT HAS FOR DECADES OF HOT ROD HISTORY ATTACHED TO IT.

AND ONE TORTOISES BUREAU IS ANOTHER ANIMALS REFUGE.

A LOOK AT THE ROLE.

THE GOPHER TORTOISE PLAYS IN.

THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM AND THE DANGERS THAT ARE IMPACTING THE REPTILES WAY OF LIFE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DISCUSSION IS BREWING REGARDING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

AFTER FLORIDA'S SURGEON GENERAL DOCTOR JOSEPH LADAPO RECOMMENDED NEW GUIDELINES.

THE GUIDELINES CAUTION PROVIDERS FROM PRESCRIBING PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS TO CHILDREN.

THE MEDICATIONS ARE PRESCRIBED TO KIDS TO TREAT SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND ADHD DOCTOR LADAPO IS ENCOURAGING PROVIDERS TO SPEND MORE TIME IN EVALUATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH SAYING THAT SOCIETY OFTEN RELIES ON PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS AS A FIRST-LINE RESPONSE IN A STATEMENT PROVIDED TO WGCU THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATED, QUOTE, THE SURGEON GENERAL BELIEVES IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES TO PERFORM EVIDENCE-BASED, NOT PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OPTIONS.

FIRST BEFORE PRESCRIBING MEDICATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT A CHILD'S DEVELOPING BRAIN AND NEUROLOGICAL GROVE.

>> DOCTOR LISA FORTUNA, A PROFESSOR AND CHAIR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSCIENCE IS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.

RIVERSIDE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE NEW GUIDELINES.

>> INTRODUCED BY FLORIDA SURGEON GENERAL DR JOSEPH LADAPO, DR FOR TUNA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU.

CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN WHAT OUR PSYCHO TROPIC MEDICATIONS?

>> SO TAKE A TRIP IN MEDICATIONS ARE MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED.

THROUGH RESEARCH IN NEUROSCIENCE TO TREAT.

MENTAL DISORDERS LIKE.

MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER, ANXIETY DISORDERS, ADHD AND OTHER OTHER DIAGNOSABLE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> HOW COMMON IS IT FOR CHILDREN TO BE PRESCRIBED THESE KINDS OF MEDICATIONS >> YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT ABSOLUTELY COMMON.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SAY IS THAT IN IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY, WE'RE TREATING MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN CHILDREN.

IT'S PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION.

AND SO IT OFTEN COMBINES PSYCHOTHERAPY PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS AND IN CHILDREN WHO MAY HAVE MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS, WHERE THEY'RE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY BECAUSE OF MAJOR DEPRESSION OR NEAR A DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS.

WE WILL OFTEN USE MEDICATIONS TO BE ABLE TO SYSTEM IN IMPROVING THEIR DISORDER AND THEIR SYMPTOMS.

AND AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT 5 TO 8% OF CHILDREN, PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, WARRANT THAT IN THE GENERAL POPULATION AND OBVIOUSLY IN CLINICAL SETTINGS THERE, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY IT MAY BE USED MORE BECAUSE CHILDREN ARE ACTUALLY MEAN THE THRESHOLD FOR SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS.

>> AND WHEN WE SAY CHILDREN FOR PERSPECTIVE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE REFERRING TO KIDS AGES 5 TO 17 AND MANY KIDS DO TAKE ADHD MEDICATIONS.

HOW COULD THIS IMPACT TREATMENT MOVING FORWARD FOR CHILDREN WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S OF CONCERN WITH THE REPORT IS THAT IT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE TITLE OF IT WAS BASICALLY AVOIDANCE OF PSYCHOTROPIC, SOME PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE TO TEMPER SORT OF, YOU KNOW, HOW WE LOOK AT THESE ISSUES VERY CAREFULLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IS YES, WE SHOULD AVOID MEDICATIONS WHEN NOT INDICATE.

BUT IF WE THINK SOMETHING LIKE ATTENTION, DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND WHERE SOME CHILDREN HAVE VERY SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS THAT IMPACT THERE.

EDUCATIONAL TRAJECTORY.

AND THEIR ABILITY TO DO THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO IN TERMS OF AGAIN, ACADEMICS AND PROGRESSING IN THAT.

AND WHAT WE RECOMMEND IS THAT MEDICATIONS ARE ASSESSED OF WHETHER THEY ARE APPROPRIATE AND PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, YOU KNOW, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL PLAN, HOW TO HELP THEIR PARENTS AROUND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THESE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS COULD IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH CARE TREATMENT GOING FORWARD FOR CHILDREN IN FLORIDA.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS.

WHETHER THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SO MOVING AWAY FROM PROVIDING MEDICATIONS BIKE.

SEROTONIN.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TAKEN HITTERS SPECIFICALLY UPTAKE INHIBITORS THINGS LIKE FLOCKS OF SOME PROZAC THINGS THAT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, KNOW ABOUT OR EVEN ADHD MEDICATIONS WHEN IT'S REALLY INDICATED.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ISSUES IS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

MORE EDUCATION TO PROVIDERS SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND BEST PRACTICES OF PRESCRIBING AND BE ABLE TO HAVE PSYCHO EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES SO THAT THEY HAVE AWARENESS OF WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND BENEFITS AS WELL AS WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE BASE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS EFFECTIVE AND FOR WHAT AND WHAT MIGHT BE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILD AND TO TALK WITH THEIR PROVIDERS ABOUT THAT.

AND IN A VERY COMPREHENSIVE WAY, YOU KNOW AND TREATMENT NEEDS TO BE.

AND, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALIZED AND BASED ON SCIENCE AND FAMILIES NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT.

DISCUSSION WITH THEIR PROVIDERS AND MAKE A CHOICE.

AND SO.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S OKAY TO HAVE GUIDANCE TO SAY WE SHOULD HAVE COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE BECAUSE THAT IS A GOOD AND RIGHT THING.

AND SO I THINK STATES AND HOW SYSTEMS NEED TO SUPPORT THE POSSIBILITIES OF THAT HAPPENING.

TO INCLUDE PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AS A EVIDENCE-BASED SCIENCE BASE OPTION.

WHEN INDICATED.

>> DR FORTUNA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND TAKING TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY.

YOU THANK YOU.

4 ADDITIONAL STORIES REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH.

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, THE NEED FOR SPEED IS DRIVING A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BILLING ITSELF AS A WORLD CLASS MOTORSPORTS LIFESTYLE.

BISON, NATURE LOVERS ARE LESS THAN THRILLED ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL IN 1985, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY LEASED LAND IN THE EVERGLADES TO BUILD A 500 PLUS ACRE TEST TRACK.

THE LAND WAS LATER USED BY CHRYSLER AND HARLEY DAVIDSON AS A WAY TO GET THEIR VEHICLES ROAD READY BY TESTING THEM ON A SAFE CONTROLLED AREA.

WELL, NOW A NEW PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT LOOKS TO BUILD ON THAT HOT ROD LEGACY.

THE HYPER CLUB HAS FILED AN APPLICATION WITH COLLIER COUNTY TO BUILD A MOTOR SPORT LIFESTYLE DESTINATION.

HOLMES WOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SECURE AUTOMOBILES, STORAGE AND THE COMMUNITY WOULD INCLUDE A 2 MILE PERFORMANCE CIRCUIT AS WELL AS A 2 MILE LONG STRAIGHT WAY.

AND WHILE THE CONCEPT IS UNIQUE, IT'S LOCATION TO ENVIRONMENTALLY PROTECTED AREAS.

HAS SOME PEOPLE PUMPING THE BRAKES BEFORE ANY GROUNDBREAKING.

FOR MORE ON THIS PROJECT, WE ARE JOINED BY WGCU SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS.

AND TOM, YOU SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME SPEAKING WITH ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THIS NEW PROJECT.

>> YES, AS I DID.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FRINGES OF THE EVERGLADES ARE SCATTERED WITH THE REMAINS OF AMERICA'S BIGGEST DREAMS.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, A SPACE RACE ERA ROCKET COMPLEX, A RUNWAY FROM WHAT WAS TO BE THE WORLD'S LARGEST AIRPORT COLD WAR ERA MISSILE SITES, SOME FULFILLED THEIR PURPOSE AND SOME FAILED.

THE APPLICATION.

ALLEN FROM THE COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROPOSES TRANSFORMING THE FORWARD PROVING GROUNDS NEAR NAPLES INTO A PRIVATE MOTOR SPORTS COMMUNITY WHERE MEMBERS CAN DRIVE THEN STORE LUXURY VEHICLES WHILE CONNECTING WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE THEIR PASSION.

IT RAISES THE RECURRING ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS ABOUT INCREASED TRAFFIC NOISE AND LAND-USE WHO GETS ACCESS AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ECOSYSTEM, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHER.

ACROSS THE NATION.

A SMALL BUT GROWING LUXURY CAR RESORT INDUSTRY IS REPLACING SOUPED UP GOLF CARTS ON 36 HOLES WITH A TURBOCHARGED RACE.

CARS ON PROFESSIONAL TRACKS.

THE HYBRID CLUB NEAR INTERSTATE.

75 IN DESOTO BOULEVARD SOUTH IS A 542 ACRE PROPERTY THAT HAS OPERATED AS A SECURE FENCED AUTOMOTIVE TESTING FACILITY SINCE THE LATE 1980'S KLUM IS DISTINCTIVE PURELY DUE TO ITS PEDIGREE AS A FORMER FORWARD HARLEY DAVIDSON AND FIAT CHRYSLER PROVING GROUND WHERE THE COMPANY SWAPPED OWNERSHIP UNTIL THE LAND WAS PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO.

MY NAPLES BUSINESSMEN AND AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIASTS, BRUCE POND AND JOHN DE ANGELES, THEIR VISION OF THE HYPER CLUB IS THE HIGH END COUNTRY CLUB.

PRIVATE LAND EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP GARAGES, HOSPITALITY.

AND WE CAN RESIDENCES ALONG WITH FERRARI'S AND OTHER ULTRA LUXURY BRANDS OF RACE CARS.

THE VISION OF ITS NEXT LIFE WAS MADE PUBLIC THIS WEEK WHEN BOND AND DEANGELIS RELEASED THE PARTICULARS TO THE COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSION IN A BID FOR SOME ZONING CHANGES TO ALLOW FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS AND SEVERAL OTHER AMENITIES.

THIS PROPERTY IS.

>> ALREADY >> ZONE FOR THIS USE.

HIGH SPEED CAR EVALUATION AND TESTING.

AND IT'S BEEN DONE THERE FOR 40 YEARS.

AND SO WE THINK WITHOUT CHANGING THE ZONING, WE CAN DO MUCH OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO ALREADY.

THEY'RE JUST A FEW SMALL THINGS THAT WE'D LIKE TO ADD TO THE ZONING SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THE CLOG AND IT COULD BE AS A WONDERFUL, AN AMENITY TO SOUTH FLORIDA IS WE THINK IT CAN BE.

>> THE HYPER CLUB IS DISTINCTIVE FROM OTHER SIMILAR MOTOR SPORTS COMMUNITIES BECAUSE IT BEGAN AS AUTOMAKERS PROVING GROUND RATHER THAN AS A PURPOSE-BUILT LUXURY CLUB.

THE FACILITIES STILL ADVERTISES A 2.1 MILES STRAIGHT AWAY.

A 1.1 MILE HANDLING COURSE SKID PAD TESTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURE VEHICLE STORAGE FOR MANUFACTURERS AND OWNERS WITH A LOCATION ALONGSIDE THE FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, CONCERNS OVER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ARE BEING BROUGHT UP AND BOND SAYS THOSE HAVE BEEN WORKED INTO THE DESIGNS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> I'M A HUGE WILDLIFE LOVER AND TREE LOVER.

I MEAN, I PLANTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES IN OUR SHOW, WE WANT TO WATCH AFTER IT.

THE WILDLIFE THAT'S THERE.

BUT AS WE LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR SITE, IT'S RIGHT ON.

I-75, WHICH IS VERY LOUD.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE WE'VE GIVEN UP A 200 FOOT VEGETATIVE BUFFER BETWEEN US AND THE FAMILIES TO OUR WEST, TO THE NORTH AND THE EAST.

SO YOU CAN REALLY NOTHING THERE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S REALLY ALL CONSERVATION LAND.

AND SO.

TO HAVE A PLACE LIKE THIS AND NAPLES, WE THINK THAT THIS IS AN IDEAL LOCATION.

>> THE TOM, LIKE MOST PROPOSALS LIKE THIS IN THE AREA, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OFTEN COME OUT IN OPPOSITION.

HAS THIS HAPPENED?

>> YES, YES, ONE OF THE MORE PROMINENT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CITES THE PANTHER REFUGE IN A LETTER TO THE ARMY CORPS PERMITTING AGENCY OPPOSING 9 PER CLUBS.

REVENGE SAYING THE PROJECT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST AND THE 560 ACRES WOULD BE BETTER USED BY FOLDING IT INTO THE PANTHER REFUGE WOULD TURNING THIS LAND OVER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

EVEN BE A CONSIDERATION.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THE DEVELOPER, ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS, BRUCE POND, SAYS THEY'RE GIVING NOT JUST THE ENVIRONMENT BUT THEIR NEIGHBORS.

A LOT OF CONSIDERATION SUCH IS LEAVING A BUFFER ZONE.

THE THICK WOODS ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE COMPLEX WHERE THERE ARE SOME RESIDENCES NEARBY.

HE ALSO PROMISED THE COUNTY TO LEAVE MORE THAN 70% OF THE PROPERTY OPEN SPACE, ALONG WITH EXISTING LINKS ON THE PROPERTY UNTOUCHED.

>> WELL, I'M SURE YOU'LL KEEP US UPDATED AS THIS STORY PROGRESSES.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS, TOM.

>> FOR MORE STORIES FROM TOM BAYLISS REGARDING THE STORIES IMPACTING THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ENVIRONMENT.

>> YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

FROM A LIFESTYLE IN THE FAST LANE TO ONE THAT MOVES AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE.

GOPHER TORTOISES ARE TAKING UP RESIDENCE IN URBAN AREAS OF CAPE CORAL.

THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION ESTIMATES AT LEAST 700,000 GOPHER TORTOISES LIVE IN FLORIDA.

THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR BURROWS, WHICH ALSO SERVED AS A REFUGE FOR OTHER SPECIES IN THE ECOSYSTEM AS WGCUS KATE.

CONAN REPORTS IN CAPE CORAL.

THEY ARE THRIVING AS URBAN DWELLERS AND MAKING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES.

>> THIS IS AN ANOMALY.

I MEAN.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO A THREATENED SPECIES LIVING THIS CLOSE TOGETHER IN A HEAVY URBANIZED AREA.

I MEAN, THAT'S UNIQUE IN ITSELF.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT FLORIDA WILDLIFE GOPHER, TORTOISE MAY BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST AND FOR GOOD REASON.

THIS KEYSTONE SPECIES PROVIDES HOMES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF ANIMALS.

ACCORDING TO CHARLES ANDERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE CAPE CORAL WILDLIFE TRUST 350 SPECIES.

USE GOPHER TORTOISE HOLES, BUNNIES, SNAKES.

>> SKUNKS, ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS USED GOPHER.

TORTOISE HOLES, GOPHER TORTOISE BURROWS.

MAKE GREAT SPOTS TO NAST, TAKE SHELTER OR STORE FOOD IN.

BUT ONE FLORIDA FAVORITE SPECIES, ESPECIALLY RELIES ON THIS REPTILE ROOMMATE.

THE BURROWING OWL.

WE VISITED ONE OF THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS, 91 LOTS ACROSS CAPE CORAL, DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE GOPHER, TORTOISE AND BURROWING OWL AND DOCUMENTING THEIR SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP.

HERE'S CHERYL ANDERSON.

>> MAY HAVE BIG-TIME A CLAUSE, RIGHT?

SO AND THEY'RE LIKE A BULLDOZER.

THEY'RE DIGGING MACHINE.

OKAY.

SO YOU'RE NOT STOPPING THE TOURS, BUT THE ALS THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT LIGHTER BUILT.

YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE THE DIGGING STRENGTH.

>> BURROWING OWLS CAN DIG THEIR OWN HOMES, BUT TOUGH GRASS AND SOIL CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT WHEN THEY'RE ONLY TOOLS ARE BEAK AND TALONS.

BUT THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE COMMISSION SAYS THE GOPHER TORTOISE BIGGS, AN AVERAGE OF A DOZEN BOROUGHS IN ITS LIFETIME STRETCHING 15 FEET LONG AND 6 FEET DEEP WITH SOME EVEN REACHING OVER 40 FEET LONG.

THE VACATED BURROWS BECOME A READY MADE HOME FOR BURROWING OWLS TO MOVE IN AND LAY THEIR EGGS.

HOWEVER, THE EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT OF CAPE CORAL COULD POSE A THREAT TO BOTH OF THESE ANIMALS.

PASHA.

DONALDSON HAS WORKED WITH THE WILDLIFE TRUST FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND HAS WITNESSED HOW THESE HABITATS HAVE CHANGED.

>> WHEN WE CAME HERE, THE POPULATION WAS SPENT 160,000 PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

IT'S NOW 25,000 PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

THE BUILDING IS STILL GOING ON TO LOSS OF HABITAT IS HUGE.

>> THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL REPORTS THAT BY 2050, IT EXPECTS ALMOST 150,000 NEW RESIDENTS REQUIRING AT LEAST 1200 ACRES OF LAND TO SUPPORT THE INFLUX.

FOR COMPARISON, ALL OF THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS LOT TOTAL JUST OVER 10 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND.

GOPHER TORTOISE IS CAMPOS.

A CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO RELOCATE PROTECTED SPECIES BEFORE BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION.

IT'S A LONG PRICEY PROCESS TAKING 6 MONTHS TO REPROGRAM THE TORTOISE IS INTERNAL GPS AND COSTING PROPERTY OWNERS UP TO $5,000 PER TORTOISE.

ACCORDING TO DONALDSON, IT'S EXPENSIVE.

SO.

>> A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PAY THE MONEY AND THEY JUST THEY CAN DISAPPEAR.

BALLOTS CAN FLY AWAY.

GOPHER TORTOISES ARE STUCK.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE LOSE A LOT OF WILDLIFE, NOT JUST GO FOR TOYS AND NOW SITS THIS PEOPLE ADDITIONAL LIKE WILDLIFE.

THEY GO OUT OF THE WAY TO BE MEAN.

>> FWC REPORTS THAT ONLY 2 GOPHER TORTOISES CAN INHABIT ONE ACRE OF LAND MAKING AVAILABLE HABITAT SCARES WHAT THE WILDLIFE TRUST HAS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

THE RECOGNITION OF A NEW KIND OF GOPHER TORTOISE CALLED THE URBAN GOPHER TORTOISE.

ANDERSON EXPLAINS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

OF A NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDED BY HOUSES.

>> SO I DON'T THINK YOU COULD CALL THEM ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT.

>> AND URBAN GOPHER TORTOISE, JUST LIKE OUR OWLS HAVE ADAPTED TO LIVING IN PEOPLE'S FRONT YARDS AND LIVING IN THE CITY.

THE TORTOISES HAVE ALSO >> ANDERSON SAYS SHE'S SEEN IT WITH HER OWN EYES AT THIS SINGLE SITE THAT HOLD OVER 70 GOPHER.

TORTOISE BURROWS.

>> WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE REGS ARE 2 TORTOISES PER ACRE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE GOT GOING ON HERE AND FGCU STUDY ON MOVEMENT, ECOLOGY IN CAPE CORAL CONCLUDED THAT ADULT GOPHER TORTOISES ARE ADAPTABLE.

>> AND TOLERANT OF HIGH LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT APPEAR TO BENEFIT FROM URBANIZATION.

DONALDSON AGREED.

>> IT IS IMPRESSIVE.

YOU KNOW, AND OF COURSE IT LOSING HABITAT.

YOU CAN SEE NEW HOUSES GOING UP, BUT THEY MANAGED TO SURVIVE.

>> IF THE WILDLIFE TRUST CAN PROVE THE EXISTENCE OF THE URBAN GOPHER TORTOISE, IT COULD MEAN LESS RELOCATION.

KEEPING THESE CRITTERS CLOSE TO THEIR ORIGINAL HABITAT.

WE'RE BURROWING OWLS AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER ANIMALS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR COMPANY, INCLUDING PEOPLE LIKE ANDERSON.

>> I'M NOT A BIG.

A FAN OF USE IN OUR ABILITY TO SURVIVE.

BUT THE SPECIES ADAPT TO SURVIVE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE DONE HERE.

I BELIEVE >> FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M KATE CRONIN.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, AN UNDERWATER ECOSYSTEM COULD CHANGE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND >> OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS KIMBERLY'S REEF.

>> AN UNDERWATER RESEARCH FACILITY CREATED BY FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

ITS GOAL IS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR LOCAL WATERS AND HOW THEY INFORM US ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN OCTOBER.

WGCU WILL PRESENT A DOCUMENTARY THAT SHOWCASES THE BEGINNINGS.

THIS ARTIFICIAL REEF FROM THE VERY FIRST BLOCKS TO THE RESEARCH UNDERWAY TODAY.

WGCUS TOM JAMES SHARES THE FIRST DISPATCH FROM KIMBERLY STREET.

>> A UNIQUE CLASSROOM IS LITERALLY GROWING BENEATH THE WAVES OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE CLASSROOM, A FUN AND RECREATION AS WELL AS FOR EDUCATION.

WELCOME TO THE FIRST DISPATCH FROM KIMBERLY'S REFUND.

IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

7 AND A HALF MILES DUE WEST OF BONITA BEACH AND 30 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE GROWS.

KIMBERLY'S REEF, AN ARTIFICIAL REEF COMPLEX CREATED BY THE WATER SCHOOL AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

>> SO THE PURPOSE OF KIMBERLY'S REEF IS TO BOTH CONDUCT TO RESEARCH AND THE PROVIDE AND UNDERWATER CLASSROOM AS HE WILL NOT ONLY TO FGCU STUDENTS BUT TO TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT LARGE.

IT ALSO BE A DIVE AND FOR LOCAL DIVE SHOPS.

TOURISTS, ECO TOURISM, AND THINGS LIKE THAT AS WELL.

AND FISHING GUIDES WANT TO CATCH FISH OUT THERE.

>> THE COASTAL WATERS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, A NATURAL RESOURCE THAT SUPPORTS RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES, URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND TRAVEL AND TOURISM.

IN FACT, TOURISM IS A 3 BILLION DOLLAR PER YEAR INDUSTRY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE IN 4 JOBS IN THE REGION.

BUT THESE ONES, HEALTHY WATERS ARE NOW UNDER THREAT.

THE HOST OF ISSUES HAVE AND CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE GULF OF MEXICO.

POTENTIAL OIL SPILLS INCLUDED DISCHARGES FROM THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER, DEVASTATING WINDS AND WAVES FROM HURRICANES TOXIC BLOOMS FROM RED TIDE IN CYANOBACTERIA OR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE.

UNLIKE MOST RECREATIONAL ARTIFICIAL REEFS.

KIMBERLY STRIEF IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO STEADY THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THESE FORCES ON OUR LOCAL WATERS.

>> AND IT'S BASICALLY A SERIES OF THESE BIG BOX CULVERTS THAT OR ABOUT 10 FEET BY 5 FEET BY 7 FEET H WAY ABOUT 20,000 POUNDS.

>> 18 OF THESE CULVERTS WILL BE LAID OUT INTO 6 VILLAGES, SPACE TO 150 FEET APART, FACING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

>> THE WAY WE'RE LAYING OUT THESE CALVERT WORLD WILL ALLOW US TO CONDUCT ELABORATE EXPERIMENT.

SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO REPLICATE DIFFERENT KINDS OF EXPERIMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO.

AND CERTAIN THINGS TO SOME OF THE CALL OVER TO REMOVE THEM FROM OTHERS.

AND SO YOU INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE THAT'S OUT THERE.

THAT INCREASES THE COMPLEXITY SEE CAN REALLY SEE IT.

HOW THE BIOLOGY RESPONDS TO THE CHANGING WATER CONDITIONS.

WE WANT TO HAVE DIVERS IN THE WATER TO SEE WHAT FISHES ARE COMING AROUND TO CHECK IT OUT.

WHOSE PASSING THROUGH VERSUS WHO IS NOW BECOMING A RESIDENT?

YOU KNOW, IT'S BRAND NEW REAL ESTATE.

SO HE'S MOVING IN.

>> ERIK REES BURKE IS A MAJOR DONOR FOR THE PROJECT AND HAS A VERY PERSONAL REASON TO SEE KIMBERLY'S REEF COME TO LIFE.

>> KIMBERLY IS MY DECEASED DAUGHTER.

SHE DIED 20 YEARS AGO.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK IS OFTENTIMES SPOKEN ABOUT WHEN ONE LOSES A CHILD IS THAT NOT ONLY DO YOU LOSE THE CHILD ITSELF.

BUT YOU CAN LOSE ALL THEIR HOPES.

THE DREAMS, THE EXPECTATIONS, ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU HOPE AND WISH EXPECT THAT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR LIFE.

I FELT THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOMETHING OF PURITY, SOMETHING THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE HUMANITY AND SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT, SOMETHING THAT WAS HAPPY IN SPIRIT AND SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE CAN SHARE.

>> WE HOPE IT WILL OPEN A LOT OF DOORS OF NOT ONLY TO WATER SCHOOL, FACULTY AND STUDENTS BUT STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COLLEGE AND THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO DEVELOPING NEW PROJECTS.

SEE WHAT IDEAS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE AND REALLY TRYING TO MAKE THIS ALL WORK.

>> 3 FULL ALSO BE OPEN FOR RESEARCH IN COLLABORATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION, THE BONEFISH AND TARPON TRUST.

AND KNOW WHAT TO NAME.

ONLY A FEW.

I WANT TO SEE PEOPLE.

>> COME FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND COME TO FGCU AND CAN'T WITH THEIR HEART POUNDING.

CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO THE WATER SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY.

CAN'T WAIT TO GET THE BEST ARE ON A THURSDAY AND GET OUT ON THE BOAT ON THE REEF ON A FRIDAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, GET THEIR FEET WET, LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY AND BE ABLE TO SEE THE GROWTH OF SPONGES.

WE'LL SEE THE GROWTH OF CERTAIN REEF FISH AND POPULATIONS BE ABLE TO SEE AND THE GROWTH OF DIFFERENT CORALS IN THE SAME TIME DOING GOOD THINGS FOR HUMANITY IN CLEANING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WCU DOT ORG.

WELL, YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.