>> THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, MORE CASES OF THE PARASITIC INFECTION CYCLO-SPORA.

THEY'RE POPPING UP ACROSS THE SUNSHINE STATE.

WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTINUING OPERATE AND THE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH.

NAVIGATING THE DIFFICULTIES OF LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE AS MANY IMMIGRANTS ADAPT TO A NEW LIFE IN AMERICA, SOME ARE BUILDING A LOCAL NETWORK TO LEARN THE LOCAL VERNACULAR AND THERE ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FLORIDA WILDLIFE OR KITS ARE ONE OF THE PREDOMINANT FLOWERS SPECIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

BUT MANY VARIETIES ARE FACING DANGERS AFFECTING THEIR SURVIVAL.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MIKE WALTER, FLORIDA HAS JOINED THE GROWING LIST OF STATES SEEING A SURGE IN CASES OF CYCLO-SPORA.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS MORE THAN 400 CONFIRMED CASES OF THE BACTERIAL INFECTION, INCLUDING 35 IN LEE COUNTY ALONE, A PERSON CAN BECOME SICK AFTER EATING FOOD OR DRINKING WATER THAT CONTAINS EVEN TRACES OF MICROSCOPIC FECAL MATERIAL.

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE NOT LINKED THE FLORIDA CASES TO ANYONE SPECIFIC OUTBREAK.

DEPUTIES USED EDDIE BYRNE HAS MORE ON THIS CONTINUING HEALTH CONCERN.

>> SO FOR MORE ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF CYCLISTS, POOR CASES IN FLORIDA, I'M JOINED BY DR REBECCA, WITH HER ALL AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST WITH NAPLES, COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

SO SO FAR 15 STATES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO ICEBERG LETTUCE, TAINTED WITH CYCLOSPORIASIS.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THE HEALTH ISSUES THAT COME WITH THE EXPOSURE TO THE BACTERIA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO CYCLO SCORE A IS A MICRO THAT CAN BE FOUND MOST COMMONLY IN PRODUCE.

AND SO IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DETECT.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO NAIL DOWN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.

AND WE'RE SEEING THIS LARGE SPREAD THROUGHOUT MULTIPLE STATES.

SO THE SYMPTOMS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WOULD-BE G I DISTRESS, MEANING UPSET STOMACH, DIARRHEA, MOST COMMONLY SOME CRAMPING MAY BE PASSING MORE GAS, FEELING UNWELL AND IN SOME CASES, IF PATIENTS ARE PARTICULARLY ILL, THEY MAY ALSO HAVE FEVERS.

>> AND NOW WE'VE SEEN A SHARP INCREASE WITH OVER 350 CASES REPORTED IN FLORIDA.

YOU KNOW, WHY HAS THERE BEEN THIS SUDDEN SURGE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES AND HAS LED US IS A MAJOR PART OF THE DIET FOR MANY PEOPLE.

WE EXPECT THIS TREND TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> SO I WILL SAY THAT WE DO SEE AND CYCLICAL PATTERN WITH CYCLISTS FOR A EVERY YEAR IN SUMMER MONTHS ARE THE HIGHER MONTHS WHERE WE SEE THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

AND OF COURSE, WHEN THERE ARE OUTBREAKS OF BECOMES AN EVEN GREATER CONCERN.

SO I DO THINK THAT WE'RE STILL IN OUR SUMMER CYCLE AND THERE IS INCREASED RIP RISK AS WE CONTINUE THROUGH THE SUMMER.

SO IT BUYS PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY ARE EATING PRODUCE THAT THEY'RE PROPERLY CLEANING THAT THE BEST WAY WITH LETTUCE IS IS GOING TO BE TO REMOVE THE OUTER LEAVES FROM THE PRODUCT BEFORE YOU'RE PREPARING IT AND THEN WASHING A VERY WELL UNDER A GOOD STREAM OF WATER.

ADDITIONALLY FOR ANY PRE BAGGED MIXES.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU AGAIN USE A HIGH VELOCITY WATER OR A SALAD SPINNER TO HELP REMOVE PHYSICALLY ANY OF THOSE CYCLES FOR THAT COULD BE PRESENT ON THOSE LETTERS.

PRODUCTS TO HELP PREVENT THE INFECTION IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE.

I SUSPECT.

>> SO AT WHAT POINT IF ANYONE BELIEVES THEY COULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO, SHOULD THEY GO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION BECAUSE THIS MIGHT BE MORE THAN JUST THE STOMACH BUG PASSING >> IF SOMEBODY IS HAVING SYMPTOMS WITH THE CRAMPING DIARRHEA, THEN IF THOSE ARE GETTING BETTER WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THERE'S BEEN A RECENT EXPOSURE IN THE LAST A WEEK OR SO WITH LETTUCE TYPE PRODUCTS OR PRODUCE THAT WAS NOT COOKED.

SO FRESH PRODUCE, THEN THAT WOULD BE THE TIME TO GO VISIT A DOCTOR OR AN URGENT CARE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM.

YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SYMPTOMS, THE DURATION THAT THEY'VE BEEN PRESENT AND THEN THE EXPOSURE HISTORY WITH THE PRODUCE TO ASK FOR TESTING SPECIFICALLY FOR CYCLISTS BECAUSE THAT TESTING IS DIFFERENT THAN THE REGULAR TESTING.

WE WOULD DO FOR A DIARRHEA TAPE WORKOUT.

>> SO NOW, HOW DO OUTBREAKS GET TO THIS POINT?

YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT CYCLE AS KIND OF AN ANNUAL THING.

IT DOES COME AND GO.

BUT EVEN WITH THIS RAPID GROWTH IN NUMBERS, WHEN THERE'S ALREADY BEEN PRODUCT RECALLS, HOW DOES THAT GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS EXPANDING THIS RAPIDLY?

>> WELL, SIR, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT COULD BE HAPPENING.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS, OF COURSE, THAT THE MORE THAT WE HEAR ABOUT THINGS IN THE PUBLIC, OF COURSE, THERE'S MORE AWARENESS AND SO MORE PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS WILL BE WILLING TO PRESENT TO THEIR DOCTOR AND GET TESTING.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE MORE AWARE OF THOSE.

A CLUSTER YS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED BECAUSE OF THE AWARENESS OF THIS PARTICULAR SECONDS FOR OUTBREAK AS OPPOSED TO IN YEARS WHERE THERE IS NOT NECESSARILY AN OUTBREAK AND PEOPLE MAY SIT AT HOME A LITTLE BIT LONGER AND NOT NECESSARILY GET TESTED.

SO THERE IS SOME OF THAT BIAS.

WE'RE SEEING THAT IN TERMS OF TESTING.

WE'RE TESTING MORE.

SO WE WILL SEE MORE OF THE CASES SHOWING UP.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE APPEARS TO BE MORE THAN ONE SOURCE FROM THIS PARTICULAR OUTBREAK.

BASED ON THE LITERATURE THAT'S BEEN AVAILABLE SO FAR, IT SEEMS THAT THERE MAY BE AS MANY AS 6 DIFFERENT SOURCES THAT ARE CAUSING THESE DIFFERENT POCKETS AND OUTBREAKS AND SO ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RECALLS, IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCALIZE ALL OF THE OUTBREAK SOURCES.

AND SO THAT WOULD MEAN ONGOING OUTBREAK.

>> WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR OUTBREAK OR WAYS THAT THEY CAN STAY SAFE FROM ANY FUTURE SITUATIONS.

>> I WOULD ALWAYS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE WITH HEALTHY EATING HABITS.

I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL THAT THEY CAN'T CONTINUE TO CONSUME PRODUCE, BUT I DO RECOMMEND THAT WE KNOW ARE MINDFUL AND CAREFUL ABOUT THE PRODUCE THAT WE'RE CONSUMING.

AND THAT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT IS EITHER COOKED SO THOROUGHLY COOKED PRODUCE WILL KILL OFF THIS.

THIS CYCLE IS 4 AND WON'T BE AN ISSUE OR CLEANING.

LIKE I SAID, USING A GOOD STREAM OF WATER FOR MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF THE CYCLO-SPORA WILL BE A SUFFICIENT WAY TO REMOVE THE MAJORITY.

ALMOST ALL OF THOSE CYCLISTS POOR THAT ARE ATTACHED ARE INHERENT IS THEY TEND TO BE AN OUTER SURFACES.

>> OKAY.

WELL.

>> GREAT DOCTOR WORLD, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> FOR MORE STORIES THAT WILL HELP KEEP YOU HEALTHY.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP THERE.

ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL AND SOUGHT-AFTER BOTANICALS IN THE FLORIDA ECOSYSTEM.

BUT POACHING AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ARE THERE'S QUITE AN ART.

IT GOES INTO TAKING A CLASSIC MOVIE AND TRANSITION TO GET TO A LIVE ACTION STAGE PERFORMANCE.

AND IT GETS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A FILM THAT FEATURES HI AND SPECIAL EFFECTS OR POTENTIALLY COSTLY ELEMENTS.

ACCORDING TO PRODUCE A PLAY WHICH HELP SMALLER COMPANIES PUT ON ELABORATE PERFORMANCES, A SMALL LOCAL THEATER MIGHT ONLY HAVE A BUDGET BETWEEN 500, MAYBE $1500 DEDICATED TO PRACTICAL EFFECTS FOR A PERFORMANCE GROUP SUCH AS BELL THEATER IN CAPE CORAL WITH THEIR VERSION OF THE HORROR MOVIE.

CARRIE, THAT MAKES THINGS PRETTY DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO BRING HOLLYWOOD VIBES WITHOUT A BROADWAY BUDGET.

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY WGCU REPORTER TOM HALL D.

>> RINGMASTER OF ALL THINGS ARTS IN THIS REGION.

AND TOM, I HEAR YOU'RE GETTING INTO THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US TODAY?

>> WELL, MIKE, YOU KNOW, FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, WE'VE BEEN TAKING OUR VIEWERS BEHIND THE CURTAIN TO SHOW THEM JUST HOW >> THEATERS MAKE A MUSICAL OR A PLAY.

IT LIKE KERRY, WHICH ON STAGE AT THE BILL THEATER IN CAPE CORAL THIS WEEKEND.

THE MERE MENTION OF THE NAME KERRY CONJURES IMAGES OF THE FAMOUS SCENE NEAR THE END OF THE PLAY WORK.

HARRY'S NEMESIS, CHRIS HARDEN'S THEN AND HER BOYFRIEND BILLY PROPEL A PIG'S BLOOD ON KERRY AFTER SHE WAS CROWNED PROM QUEEN.

SO WE MET WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, TYLER YOUNG DURING A REHEARSAL TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT GOES INTO STAGE BLOOD.

IT STARTS WITH CORNSTARCH AND THE CUP OF WATER.

>> MOST OF THE CONSISTENCIES ARE USING COULD COURTS THERE.

BUT WE DID NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO BE SUPER STICKY ON THE STAGE AND GET IN THE WAY ARE CAUSING US A FEW HAZARD.

SO WE FOUND CORNSTARCH AND THAT WAS THE METHOD OF DEALING WITH.

>> NEXT COME BLUE AND RED WASHABLE TEMPER PAINT.

>> AND A HALF CUPS OF RED TO A CUP OF BLUE TO GET THE CORRECTS COLORING.

OTHERWISE IT'S LIKE THAT'S LIKE BRIGHT RED, FAKE CALLER.

AND THAT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE BUT IT ALL IT LOOKS LIKE RED PAINT.

BUT WHEN WORKING THIS, WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE WASHABLE YET REALISTIC BUT ALSO HAVE THE CORRECT LIKE SOUND OF BLOOD LIKE WHEN IT HITS THE STAGE.

THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S HOW THE BUT IS MADE.

>> AND THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> WELL, TOMMY AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WONDERING, DOES THE PLAY OF THE SAME WAY AS THE MOVIE?

>> THE PIG BLOOD PRANK STILL CAUSES KERRY TO UNLEASH YOUR TELEKINETIC POWERS TO KILL EVERYONE.

INSIDE THE CHAMBERLAIN.

HI, JIM.

PULLEY ACTIVATED DOORS.

WINDOWS, SLAM SHOTS THAT NOBODY CAN ESCAPE.

BUT SINCE THIS IS APPLY, THERE'S NO FIRE.

INSTEAD, BILL FEAR USES CHOREOGRAPHY TO SIMULATE KERRY CHOKING HER CLASSMATES OR STAMPING THEIR NECKS.

AND CHRIS AND HER BOYFRIEND DON'T TRY TO RUN CARRY OVER IN HIS CAR.

INSTEAD THEY DIE WITH EVERYONE ELSE INSIDE THE GYM.

>> I WOULD HATE TO BE THE PERSON HAS TO CLEAN ALL OF THAT UP.

I MEAN, HOW DO THEY GET TO THE BLOCKED OFF THE STAGE?

WELL, EVEN THOUGH THE BLOOD IS WASHABLE, IT DOES GET ALL OVER THE STAGE AND SEVERAL OF THE ACTORS.

BUT I'M GONNA TYLER YOUNG TELL YOU HOW THEY CLEAN UP.

CARREY ACTOR, SIR FEAR BROOKE AFTERNOON SHOP.

>> WE ACTUALLY TAKE OUR KERRY PERFORMERS OF THE OUTSIDE AND WE WERE RUNNING THIS.

WE USED A HOSE TO WASH OFF TO GET THE BLOOD OUT OF HER OUT OF HER DRESS AND HER HAIR.

>> FRANKLY, I ACTUALLY BE PRETTY CLEAN, BUT I DO LOOK LIKE I JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER AND MY HERE'S BACK TO CURLY MYERS, NATURALLY CURLY.

BUT FOR NOW THE SHOW, WE WANTED IT STRAIGHT.

SO THAT MEANS AT NIGHT I HAVE TO MICHAEL WASH IT ALL OUT WITH 6 VERY LONG TIME.

LOTS OF SHAMPOO, LOTS OF CONDITIONER.

AND THEN TRY AND STRAIGHTEN IT ALL OUT FOR THE NEXT SET.

PRETTY CRAZY, ESPECIALLY WOULD HAVE TO SHOW YOU 2 THAT WE'RE REALLY QUICK TURNAROUND FOR ONE TO THE OTHER.

>> THAT IS REALLY AMAZING THAT PRODUCTION.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, TOM.

>> FOR JOINING US.

WELL, THIS WAS A FUN ONE, MIKE, AND IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU.

AND WITH OUR VIEWERS.

>> AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE CAPABLE WITH ALL OF TOM MALLS REPORTING THE CONSTANT BARRAGE OF HEAT MAKES IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH AWAY FROM THE START OF AUTUMN STORES ALREADY ARE FILLING UP WITH FALL DECORATIONS.

BUT YOU'RE SHOPPING SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE A TRIP TO THE PHARMACY.

WGCUS KATE CRONIN SHARES.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SOME SEASONAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

>> EVEN THOUGH SUMMER ISN'T OVER JUST YET.

IT'S ALREADY ABOUT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT FALL.

ALLERGIES.

>> I USUALLY TELL MY PATIENTS THAT FALL ALLERGY SEASON STARTS RIGHT AROUND LABOR DAY.

SO WHEN KIDS START GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, THAT IS ABOUT THAT TIME.

THAT PATIENTS WILL START TO FEEL MORE MISERABLE FROM THEIR ALLERGIES.

>> IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH FALL ALLERGIES, CLEVELAND CLINIC, ALLERGIST DOCTOR SANDRA, HONG, I RECOMMEND STARTING ANY NASAL STEROID SPRAYS BEFORE YOUR SYMPTOMS BEGIN.

SHE SAYS ORAL ANTIHISTAMINE IS CAN BE TAKEN AS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE SEASON TO RELIEVE ITCHING AND SNEEZING, ALONG WITH MEDICATIONS, CHANGING YOUR FURNACE FILTER FOR TURNING ON THE HEAT IN KEEPING YOUR WINDOWS CLOSED CAN HELP.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALLERGY SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN WORSE ON DRY, WINDY DAYS.

IF YOU PLAN TO ENJOY FALL ACTIVITIES LIKE A RIOT OR APPLE PICKING DOCTOR, HONG SAYS TO PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME.

>> IF THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN THEIR ALLERGY MEDICATIONS, I WOULD ACTUALLY ASK THEM TO PREVENT THE DEADLY TAKE.

THOSE MEDICATIONS ARE TAKEN BEFORE THEY START TO FEEL MISERABLE.

AND WHEN THEY COME BACK HOME FROM THE ACTIVITIES, MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE TAKEN A SHOWER AND CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES SO THAT THEY DON'T CLIMB INTO BED WITH THAT.

>> IT'S 10 START GETTING IN THE WAY OF YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITIES.

DOCTOR, HONG RECOMMENDS SEEING AN ALLERGIST THEY CAN IDENTIFY SPECIAL TRIGGERS AND CREATE A PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN.

FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M KATE KRONON.

>> AND IF YOU WANT SOME, OUR ALLERGY REALLY FALLEN JOINED THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO INVEST IN AN ORCHID PLANT DUE TO THEIR HEAVY STICKY POLLEN OR KIDS ARE CONSIDERED HYPOALLERGENIC AND THEY REALLY AFFECT PEOPLE'S ALLERGIES NEGATIVELY.

FLORIDA IS A HAVEN FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS WITH AT LEAST 106 NATIVE SPECIES.

BUT MORE THAN HALF OF THEM FACE ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS, 58 SPECIES OF FLORIDA OR KIDS ARE LISTED AS ENDANGERED AND ANOTHER 18 ARE THREATENED DUE TO HABITAT LOSS AND POACHING WGS USED ANY BURNED.

TALK WITH AN ORCA EXPERT TO SEE WHAT'S BEING DONE TO PRESERVE THESE BOTANY WONDERS.

>> FOR MORE ON ORCHIDS, I AM JOINED BY BE THE BRIAN HOLLY CURATOR OF LIVING COLLECTIONS FOR THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

SO I WAS STUNNED TO LEARN ABOUT THE MASSIVE VARIETY OF ORCHIDS.

NEARLY 100 SPECIES NATIVE TO FLORIDA.

WHAT SEPARATES OR KIDS FROM OTHER VARIETIES OF FLOWERS.

>> SO OUR KIDS ARE IN VERY LARGE FAMILY.

SO THEY'RE DISCOVERING NEW ONES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO BASICALLY, IF YOU LOOK INTO THE GENETICS OF THE PLANT, THAT'S YOUR FOR SURE SIGN.

THAT IS AN ARCANE.

BUT THERE'S AN VISUAL CUES TO THAT FLOWER YOU'RE LOOKING AT ISN'T OUR KIDS, OTHERS CERTAIN ASPECTS LIKE SYMMETRY OF THE FLOUR AND THE WAY THAT THE POLLINATION OCCURS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT COULD GIVE YOU BETTER CLUES THAT IT'S AN ORCHID.

BUT THEY OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WORLD EXCEPT ANTARTICA SEE OF OUR KIDS FROM DESERT REGIONS TO RAIN FORESTS TO THE SIDES OF A ROCKY CLIFF TO ALL THE WAY UP INTO FREEZING COLD TEMPERATURES UP IN THE MOUNTAINS.

SO THERE ARE HUGE DIVERSITY OF PLANTS AND THEY HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES AND ALL THOSE COLORS AND ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

AND REALLY NEED POLLINATION ASPECTS TO THEM.

SO IT'S A FASCINATING GROUP OF PLANTS.

>> AND THEN FOR ANY OF THE NATURE LOVERS OUT THERE, IF THEY'RE GOING FOR WALKS ON TRAILS ARE OUTDOORS.

ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR SPECIES THEY SHOULD KEEP THEIR EYES OUT FOR EVEN IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS?

>> FOR SHERIFF, SO AT LEAST HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, WE HAVE BOTH APATHETIC OUR KIDS.

SO THOSE ARE ONES THAT WOULD BE NATIONALLY GROWING ON OTHER TREES.

AND THEN WE ARE TREASURY OR KIDS.

AND THOSE ARE ONES THAT YOU WOULD SEE GROWN IN THE GROUND PROBABLY THE MOST PATHETIC.

OUR KID IS OUR BUTTERFLY ORCHID.

THE SCIENTIFIC NAME IS AND SICKLY ATTEMPT.

PENCE US AND THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF OUR MOST WIDESPREAD, A PATHETIC OUR KIDS.

AND IF YOU'VE GOT A GOOD, I YOU CAN SEE THOSE EVEN DRIVING UP AND DOWN MAIN STREETS.

IF YOU LOOK UP AND LIKE I SAY, FIRST REWROTE TREE THAT'S GOT SOME AGE TO IT.

YOU CAN EVEN FIND THESE PLANTS UP IN THOSE TREES.

YOU THEY KIND OF LOOK LIKE A AN ONION BALL WITH A LITTLE STRAP LEAF AND THEY CAN GET A PRETTY GOOD CLUSTER OF THOSE THAT I WAS A PLANT AGES, BUT THEY TYPICALLY BLOOM AROUND JUNE JULY TIME FRAME AND WHEN THEY'RE IN FULL BLOOM, THEY CAN BE QUITE SPECTACULAR.

I'M VERY FRAGRANT AS WELL.

AND A COUPLE OTHERS YOU MIGHT SEE ARE ACTUALLY INVASIVE THAT ARE ACTUALLY MORE PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON ARE KIDS THAT YOU MIGHT SEEM.

SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF FLORIDA SPECIES THAT YOU ALSO SEE PRETTY CALMLY IN PARKING LOTS INTO COMING UP IN MOTION.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SO I GUESS THEY CAN BRING TO THIS PART THEN WHICH IS FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THAT HALF OF THE NATIVE VARIETIES OF ORCHIDS IN FLORIDA ARE THREATENED OR ENDANGERED.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO PROTECT THESE ORCHIDS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP?

>> SO ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS ABOUT FLORIDA IS THAT WE'RE, AS I MENTIONED, THE ORCHIDS KERCHER WORLDWIDE FOR THE MOST PART AND YOU KNOW THEM KIND OF A UNITED STATES HAS MOSTLY TREASURY, OUR KIDS THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE STATES.

BUT FLORIDA IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S WHERE A SMALL PENINSULA THAT BASI BUTTS RIGHT UP TO THE CARIBBEAN.

WE'VE ALSO GOT TROPICAL ARE KIDS THAT HAVE WORKED THEIR WAY UP INTO SOUTHERN FLORIDA YOU KNOW, SINCE LOTTIE'S TROPICAL SPECIES ARE AT THE EDGE OF WHERE THEY REALLY CAN EXIST.

THEY REALLY NEED SPECIALIZE.

HABITATS TO SURVIVE.

SO WHERE THEY COME FROM THE TROPICS, THEY MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE WIDESPREAD.

BUT WHEN THEY GET INTO FLORIDA, THEY NEED THESE REALLY PROTECTED AREAS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

AND SO THAT BEING SAID, WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THE BEST SPOTS FOR THEM.

OUR WETLANDS AND IN PARTICULAR, OUR WETLANDS THAT HAVE TREES THAT ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE IN THOSE WETLANDS AND TYPICALLY IN AREAS THAT ARE DEEP ENOUGH THAT THE WATER REMAINS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

SO YOU GET THESE BASICALLY DEPRESSIONS IN THE SWAMP.

SO IT'S REALLY SPECIALIZE.

HABITATS WHERE THE MORE TROPICAL SPECIES TEND TO OCCUR.

AND SO ANY TIME ANY OF THOSE ASPECTS CHANGE THAT CAN AFFECT WITH THESE PLANTS CAN SURVIVE.

AS I MENTIONED, SO FOR NOW, WE ARE DIVERTING WATER AWAY FROM THE WETLANDS AND SENDING IT RIGHT INTO CANALS INTO THE OCEAN THAT'S TAKEN WATERWAY THAT WOULD BE PROTECTING.

THESE ARE CAN SPECIES, I THINK IS NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS.

CERTAINLY AS THINGS LIKE DEVELOPMENT AND NO AREAS GET FRAGMENTED AND SEPARATED.

KNOW THAT PREVENTS PLANTS FROM IT.

YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN THAT THE PROPER WATER CYCLES HAPPENING IN THESE WETLANDS AND THEN ALSO JUST THE SPACE THAT TAKES, YOU KNOW, AS THESE AREAS DISAPPEARS AT THAT PARK IS CAN'T REALLY RE COLONIZE AFTER THE FACT.

YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE YOU KNOW, NOT NATURAL AREAS GOING AROUND THEM.

IF YOU CAN SURVIVE.

AND IS THERE SOME PROJECTS GOING ON AT THE MILLION ORCHID PROJECT THAT ARE TRYING TO REINTRODUCE SOME OF THE SPECIES BACK IN DENVER, URBAN ENVIRONMENTS.

BUT YOU KNOW, STILL ONCE AGAIN, IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THAT FOR THE NATURAL AREAS.

>> AND THEN DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS OR ADVICE FOR THE HOME GARDENERS WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING TO BUILD THEIR OWN ORCHID COLLECTION?

>> SORKIN'S ARE EASY TO GROW.

IF YOU JUST KIND OF FOLLOW A FEW TIPS.

SO THEY REALLY LIKE TO HAVE THAT WELL TRAINED POTTING MEDIUM.

SO AND NOT TYPICALLY BE OVER WATERS.

YOU WANT TO GIVE IT GOOD WATER, BUT LIKE A LOUD, ALL SPECIES, THE DRYING BETWEEN WATER RINGS AND STAYING SMALLER POTS.

ALSO GOOD ONE FOR THE TREES TO, THOUGH, FOR OUR LANDSCAPE.

SO YOU NEVER WANT TO THROW IN ARE CUT AWAY OR THINK IT'S DEAD WHEN THE FLOWERS ARE DONE.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, YOU CAN PUT THEM ON YOUR YOUR PALM TREES.

ARE YOUR OLD TREES OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE IN YOUR YARD AND THE PLANS WILL THRIVE FOR YEARS AND YEARS OUT OUTDOORS.

>> SO, BE WITH THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN.

THANK YOU FOR TALKING OR KITS WITH US TODAY.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

>> AND HERE'S A FLOWERY FUN FACTS FROM THE WCU NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OR KIDS MAKE UP ONE OF THE LARGEST GROUP OF FLOWERING PLANTS ANYWHERE ON EARTH ALONGSIDE THE DAISY FAMILY.

WHILE SOME ARE NO BIGGER THAN A COIN, OTHER SPECIES OF ORCHID CAN WEIGH HUNDREDS OF POUNDS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE STORIES REGARDING THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECOSYSTEM BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK.

BRIDGING LANGUAGE GAP AS A TEAM.

WE'LL CHECK OUT THE ENGLISH CAFE WHICH USES A COMMUNITY MENTALITY TO HELP HIM BRACE LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY.

FOR MANY IMMIGRANTS LOOKING TO BEGIN A NEW LIFE FOR THE UNITED STATES.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON HURDLES IS LANGUAGE BARRIER, FINDING TIME AND RESOURCES TO LEARN ENGLISH AND BEAD ON IT.

BUT INSIDE A CAPE CORAL LIBRARY, PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE WORLD MEET UP ONCE A WEEK TO LEARN TOGETHER WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH AND RJ TAKES US TO THE ENGLISH CAFE TO FIND OUT HOW IT STARTED.

>> FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS IN LEE COUNTY MOVING TO A NEW COUNTRY AND LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE CAN BE INTIMIDATING A FREE PROGRAM AT THE CAPE CORAL LEE COUNTY LIBRARY IS GIVING THEM A PLACE TO PRACTICE AND A GROUP TO LEAN ON.

YOU WILL SEE GERMANS, RUSSIANS, CHINESE.

>> POLISH.

>> AND YOU ALSO HAVE SPANISH.

IT'S A BIG LINE.

AND WE ALSO HAVE HAD CHECK OF THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, TOO.

>> BP CREWS IS THE ADULT PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR FOR THE CAPE CORAL LEE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM.

SHE SAYS THE LIBRARY SAW A NEED AFTER RECEIVING THE SAME REQUEST.

>> IT'S OVER AND OVER.

WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LEARN HOW TO KNOW IF WE HAD ANY KIND OF CLASSES WHERE THEY LEARN ENGLISH.

SO WHAT WE DID WAS DEAD, WE REQUESTED VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO.

BASICALLY WANT TO TEACH OR PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

AND WE CREATED THE PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

>> ALEJANDRA CLUB MIGRATED FROM ARGENTINA.

HE SAYS KNOWING ENGLISH IS ONE THING BEING ABLE TO SPEAK IT AND USE IT OUT IN THE WORLD FOR 2 DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> HE'S NOT THE SAME DO WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING IN YOUR HOME THAT WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING IN A FEE, SO WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO NEED TO THIS SOCIETY, YOU NEED EXPRESSION UNIT PRACTICE ON THE SAID IN THIS CAFE PROGRAM IN THE LIVE ANY WAS VERY USEFUL BECAUSE IS THE PAT THIS ENGLISH IN A VERY EASY WAY.

>> GRAVANO BELIEVES THIS PROGRAM SHOULD BE EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE.

I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE >> A PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

SHE CHANGED THEIR MISSION.

WE HAVE TO SOCIETY.

IN MEDIANS.

LEGALLY NEED US.

THAT THESE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE.

THEY WILL IMPROVE PERSONALLY AND THEY REALLY IMPROVING THEIR JOBS.

AND BARBER EVERS HAS RUN THE FRIDAY MORNING GROUP SINCE 2016.

>> AND SHE CAN TELL ONE FROM THINK SHIFTS IN A STUDENT.

I THINK.

>> THEIR CONFIDENCE IN.

PARTICIPATING IS WHAT CHANGES THAT THE MORE OPEN AS THEY GET USED TO THE GROUP AND THEY KNOW WE'RE NOT JUDGING THEM.

>> THE STARLET BLUE LAW HAS BEEN ATTENDING CLASS ALMOST EVERY WEEK SINCE ARRIVING FROM GERMANY.

WHEN ASKED WHY SHE KEEPS SHOWING UP HER ANSWER DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO DO WITH THE LANGUAGE.

I THINK I ALSO >> IS THAT THE COMPANY?

BECAUSE IF YOU I MEAN FOR YOU AND THEN THE PHONE AND CONCRETE.

YOU NEED A CRUEL.

>> AND MEET PEOPLE SHOT.

EVERS SAYS THAT'S THE GOALS PROVIDING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE BELONG TO BORE.

YOU STAY HERE.

>> THE MORE COMFORTABLE YOU'LL GET IT.

GET TO KNOW THE GROUP.

>> BECOME FRIENDS WITH ILYA WILL BECOME ONE BIG, HAPPY FAMILY HERE.

THE ENGLISH CAFE IS FREE AND OPEN TO ADULT LEARNERS.

THROUGHOUT LEE COUNTY FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF TIMES OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON THE SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUSED.