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SS United States Deliberately Sunk to Form World's Largest Artificial Reef

SS United States Deliberately Sunk to Form World's Largest Artificial Reef

The retired ocean liner SS United States was deliberately sunk on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, off the coast of Florida to create the world's largest artificial reef. The vessel, which is nearly 1,000 feet long and longer than the Titanic, took hours to descend and now rests upright 180 feet beneath the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. This transformation was overseen by Coleen Marine, a marine engineering contracting company specializing in artificial reefs, after Okaloosa County, Florida, acquired the ship in 2024. The SS United States Conservancy, which previously sought to convert the ship into a hotel or museum, sold it due to legal and financial challenges. Susan Gibbs, chair of the Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship's designer William Francis Gibbs, expressed mixed emotions about the sinking, acknowledging both grief and hope for the ship's new purpose. The ship, which set transatlantic speed records on its maiden voyage in 1952 and carried notable passengers like Harry Truman and Walt Disney,...
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Oregon Department of Agriculture Confirms First Detection of Invasive Hydrilla verticillata in Jackson County

Oregon Department of Agriculture Confirms First Detection of Invasive Hydrilla verticillata in Jackson County

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has confirmed the first-ever presence of Hydrilla verticillata, an invasive aquatic weed, in Oregon. The plant was discovered on private property in Jackson County in October. Hydrilla verticillata, often referred to as water thyme, is recognized as one of the most problematic invasive species globally. It forms dense mats of vegetation with long, slender branches and serrated leaves, which can obstruct waterways and displace native ecosystems. Troy Abercrombie, program manager for ODA's noxious weed control, described it as 'the worst invasive weed in the world' and noted its status as a federally listed noxious weed. The ODA considers this an early detection, as the plant is currently isolated to small ponds. In Oregon, it is classified as an A-rated invasive species, indicating it is not widespread and is a target for eradication using herbicides. The department is consulting with experts from Florida, a state that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars o...
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Just the Zoo of Us Podcast Focuses on Native Ecology and Conservation with Joey Clift

Just the Zoo of Us Podcast Focuses on Native Ecology and Conservation with Joey Clift

The podcast 'Just the Zoo of Us,' hosted by Ellen and Christian Weatherford, recently featured an episode titled '359: Native Ecology and Conservation w/ Joey Clift!' This episode delves into topics related to native ecology and conservation efforts. The podcast, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is an animal review show where the hosts research, review, and rate animals submitted by listeners based on effectiveness, ingenuity, and aesthetics. Guest episodes, like the one with Joey Clift, often feature experts who share their knowledge and insights into the animal world. The podcast is designed with families in mind, avoiding profanity or graphic language, though parents are advised to use discretion for very young children due to discussions on topics such as reproduction, predation, and parasitism.
ReutersReuters
Famed ship heads for afterlife as artificial reef in deliberate sinking off Florida

Famed ship heads for afterlife as artificial reef in deliberate sinking off Florida

By Steve Gorman Nov 11 (Reuters) - Famed ocean liner SS United States, the largest passenger ship ever built in America and the world's fastest, headed for the sea floor near Florida on Wednesday in a deliberate sinking designed to transform the vessel into the world's biggest artificial reef.
USA TodayUSA Today
The SS United States is about to sink. Many scuba divers will follow

The SS United States is about to sink. Many scuba divers will follow

The famous ocean liner SS United States will become the Mount Everest of submerged ships for many scuba divers to visit.
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Soil Ecologist Jordan King Explores Florida Everglades' Invasive Species and Ecosystem Changes

Soil Ecologist Jordan King Explores Florida Everglades' Invasive Species and Ecosystem Changes

Soil ecologist Jordan King, known as Kid Flames online, is actively engaged in exploring the Florida Everglades at night, focusing on invasive reptile species such as green iguanas and basilisk lizards. King, accompanied by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, conducts 'herping' expeditions to locate and observe these creatures. During their nocturnal searches, they encountered several invasive species, including a green iguana and multiple basilisk lizards. King emphasizes that while his professional work is in soil ecology, his passion for wildlife, particularly reptiles, drives these explorations. He also highlights the significant presence of invasive species in Florida, many of which were introduced through the exotic pet trade or accidental means. The expeditions also shed light on the ongoing transformation and degradation of the Everglades due to human development, noting that much of South Florida was once part of this unique ecosystem.
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NOAA Fisheries Proposes Shrimp Fishery Access Area in Oculina Bank to Optimize Yield

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Shrimp Fishery Access Area in Oculina Bank to Optimize Yield

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comments on a proposed rule to establish a shrimp fishery access area within the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (OHAPC). This action, proposed through Amendment 11 to the FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats and Amendment 12 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, aims to allow vessels with valid limited access commercial rock shrimp permits to bottom trawl for rock shrimp in a designated 14.10 NM2 area. The OHAPC, located off Ft. Pierce, Florida, was established to protect deep-water coral habitats, primarily Oculina varicosa. Recent mapping and seafloor assessments in the proposed access area have indicated soft bottom/flat substrate with no evidence of Oculina corals. The proposal includes a variable buffer zone of 350 to 1,580 meters between the access area and known coral pinnacles to prevent adverse impacts from trawling. The comment period for the proposed rule is open from November 12, 2026, through Decem...
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Central Florida Emerges as Premier Winter Getaway for New Yorkers Seeking Warmth

Central Florida Emerges as Premier Winter Getaway for New Yorkers Seeking Warmth

Central Florida Emerges as Premier Winter Getaway for New Yorkers Seeking Warmth
1Weather1Weather
White Christmas Likely in Northern U.S., Says Almanac

White Christmas Likely in Northern U.S., Says Almanac

The Farmers’ Almanac has released its early regional assessment for the likelihood of a white Christmas across the United States. According to the publication, northern and mountainous regions, including the Rocky Mountains, northern Midwest, and inland Northeast, have the best chances of snow on the ground on December 25. Conversely, areas in the South, such as Texas, the Gulf Coast, and Florida, are less likely to experience snow. The Almanac combines its seasonal winter outlook with historical snow-cover patterns to create this guide, emphasizing that it is not a confirmed forecast but rather an early prediction. The publication also notes that even neighboring communities, such as mountain and valley areas, can experience different conditions on Christmas morning. To qualify as a white Christmas, the National Weather Service states that at least one inch of snow must be present on the ground.
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Everglades Restoration Accelerates, Faces Water Quality and Staffing Challenges

Everglades Restoration Accelerates, Faces Water Quality and Staffing Challenges

The restoration of Florida's Everglades is progressing at an accelerated pace, marked by improved collaboration between federal and state governments and a significant increase in funding. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine indicates that several key projects are complete, and benefits are beginning to be observed on the ground, such as improved dry season water flows in certain areas. However, the report also highlights critical challenges, including inconsistent scientific analysis of these benefits, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of the restoration's effectiveness. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the loss of federal staff responsible for Endangered Species Act protections, which could impede future progress. A major hurdle remains the failure to meet the Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitation (WQBEL) for nutrient pollution, a standard crucial for the full operation of the massive reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, a centerpiece o...