IT'S THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

>> COMING UP, FOLLOWING AN 18 MONTH LEGAL BATTLE TO THE SUPREME COURT ISSUES.

THE FINAL RULING ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP AS THE HIGH COURT UPHOLDS THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

A LOOK AT WHAT THIS RULING MEANS FOR CHILDREN AS MIGRANTS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES WITH MILLIONS EXPECTED TO HIT THE ROAD FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE GET AN UPDATE ON GAS PRICES AND HOW THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST KEEPS THOSE PRICES IN FLUX.

AND PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF NATIVE PLANTS.

CREWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCAVENGER HUNT TO ENSURE THE ECOSYSTEM OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS PRESERVED FOR YEARS TO COME.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP.

THE LANDMARK DECISION STRIKING DOWN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DENY CITIZENSHIP TO CHILDREN OF UNDOCUMENTED OR TEMPORARY IMMIGRANTS.

YESTERDAY IN A 6 TO 3 VOTE, THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD A BROADER CONCEPTION OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS.

THE COURT RULING THAT BABIES BORN ON U.S.

SOIL ARE AUTOMATICALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS WROTE THE MAJORITY OPINION SAYING, QUOTE, THE FRAMERS OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT EXTENDED THAT PROMISE TO EVERY FREE BORN PERSON IN THIS LAND.

WGC USED.

MIKE BRAUN HAS MORE.

>> FOR MORE ON THE LANDMARK DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT ABOUT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY BETHANY KHAN GRAD, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT FGCU.

BETHANY SPECIALIZES IN FLORIDA POLITICS.

THE PRESIDENCY AND THE SUPREME COURT.

BETHANY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

CAN YOU TAKE US BACK TO THE ORIGINATION OF THIS LAWSUIT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED WHEN HE STARTED HIS SECOND TERM.

>> YES.

SO ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND TERM, HE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WOULD CHANGE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND THE CITIZENSHIP CLAUSE THAT INCLUDES CURRENTLY THE 14TH AMENDMENT HAS.

WE'VE UNDERSTOOD IT SINCE ITS WRITING EXTEND CITIZENSHIP TO ANY CHILD THAT'S BORN ON U.S.

SOIL, RIGHT?

WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WOULD CHANGE THAT.

SO INSTEAD ONLY EXTEND THAT CITIZENSHIP TO CHILDREN WHO HAD EITHER TO PARENTS WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THE U.S.

OR AT LEAST ONE WHO HAS A SET OF CITIZEN OF THE U.S.

OR AT LEAST ONE PARENT HAD LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCY LIKE A GREEN CARD.

AND SO THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER WOULD HAVE CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT WOULD BE APPLIED.

DOES THAT RETROACTIVE RIGHT?

PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

SO IMMEDIATELY THERE ARE COURT CASES BROUGHT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT STATES BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND IT WORKED ITS WAY UP THE LEGAL SYSTEM UNTIL IT REACHED THE SUPREME COURT.

AND THERE'S ALSO ULTIMATELY THE SUPREME COURT HAD TO ANSWER WHETHER OR NOT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD STAND IN THE FACE OF THE CONSTITUTION.

>> FROM A CONSTITUTIONAL STANDPOINT IN THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

WHAT WITH ADJUSTS HIS GRAPPLING WITH WHEN IT CAME TO WHO IS A CITIZEN AND WHO IS NOT?

>> SO ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT WAS WHETHER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD STAND WITH THE TEXT OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT BEING WHAT IT WAS RIGHT.

AND THAT PHRASE WITHIN THE 14TH AMENDMENT THAT SAYS THE SUB SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION AT THE PHRASE.

THE MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER REALLY HEARD OF BEFORE.

BUT THAT QUESTION OF SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF IS REALLY WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS THE JUSTICES SEEMED TO BE LOOKING AT WAS DOES THAT CITIZENSHIP EXTENDS TO ANYONE WHO IS BORN IN THE U.S.

OR DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF LOYALTY TO THE U.S.

HAS SOME SORT OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.S.

AND KIND OF FIRST TAKE ANY OTHER ALLEGIANCES THAT COULD COME.

SO THAT WAS THE BIG QUESTION THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT.

WE SAW THE JUSTICES HAD DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF IT.

ONCE WE GOT THEIR ANSWERS EARLIER TODAY.

SO IT REALLY CAME DOWN TO WHETHER THE 14TH AMENDMENT ALLOWED FOR CHANGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME WITH THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.

AND THEN EVEN SOME CONGRESSIONAL STATUTES GOT BROUGHT INTO AND CERTAIN OF CERTAIN SUPREME A PAIN TO COME.

>> IT WAS A DIVIDED COURT DECISION WITH 3 JUSTICES SIDING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

HOWEVER, CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS WROTE IN FAVOR OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FROM YOUR EXPERTISE TO THE SUPREME COURT.

WHAT MESSAGE DOES THAT SEND?

>> WHATEVER THE CHIEF JUSTICE WRITES AN OPINION.

IT ALWAYS SIGNALS THAT THIS WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT CASE, RIGHT?

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MOST SENIOR JUSTICE IN THE MAJORITY GETS TO ASSIGN THE CASE AND ASSIGN THE OPINION WRITER.

SO THE FACT THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE TOOK THAT CASE FOR HIMSELF DEFINITELY SENDS A MESSAGE THAT HE THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND ESPECIALLY GOING INTO A MIDTERM ELECTION YEAR WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE BEING SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL LIST.

HE CARE SO MUCH.

NOT JUST ABOUT THE COURT GETTING IT RIGHT, BUT ALSO WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS OF THE COURT AND PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF THE COURT.

IT DEFINITELY SENDS A MESSAGE THAT THE CHIEF REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE HAD CONFIDENCE THAT THE DECISION THAT WAS BEING MADE WAS BEING MADE SOUNDLY AND THAT THEIR LOGIC WAS SPELLED OUT VERY CLEARLY IN THE DECISION THAT THEY HAD IT OUT.

>> NOW THAT THE COURT HAS MADE, THIS IS HIS DECISION.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL BE REVISITED ANYTIME SOON BY FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'RE DONE WITH IT NOW.

>> WITH WITH WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID EARLIER TODAY AFTER HE HEARD THE DECISION, HE SEEMS TO JUST TURN HIS ATTENTION TO CONGRESS.

NOW, NOW THAT THE COURTS DIDN'T NECESSARILY RULE IN HIS FAVOR ON THIS ISSUE, HE SEEMS TO BE TURNING HIS ATTENTION TO CONGRESS AND SUGGESTING THAT OF CONGRESS JUST PASSES A LAW.

THE CHANGES WHAT CITIZENSHIP MEANS ACCORDING TO THE 14TH AMENDMENT, THEN HE CAN SIGN IT INTO LAW AND THEN WE STILL GET THE SAME OUTCOME THAT HE WANTED.

SO IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE'RE DONE WITH IT.

NOW, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE.

AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS FOR THE REST OF TRUMP'S TERM, I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A CONVERSATION THAT HAS BEEN OPENED UP NOW ABOUT WHAT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP REALLY MEANS NOW AND THEN MOVING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

THAT ANY CAR IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US COURSE.

>> FOR MORE POLITICAL STORIES IMPACTING FLORIDA AND THE NATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGC.

YOU DOT ORG.

THE SUPREME COURT ALSO HANDED DOWN ANOTHER DECISION AS IT CONSIDERED TRANSGENDER ATHLETES SPECIFICALLY TRANSGENDER ATHLETES PLAYING ON GIRLS.

SPORTS TEAMS, THE HIGH COURT'S SAYS THAT STATES DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BAN TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM FEMALE SPORTS WITH THE MAJORITY SAYING IT IS LEGAL UNDER BOTH THE CONSTITUTION AND STATE LAW.

THE 2 CASES THE SUPREME COURT DEALT WITH CAME FROM WEST VIRGINIA AND IDAHO.

BUT THERE ARE 27 STATES WHO HAVE RULED IT ILLEGAL, INCLUDING FLORIDA, ACCORDING TO THE SOUTHERN LEGAL COUNSEL ORGANIZATION, FLORIDA CALLS ITS LAW.

THE FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S SPORTS ACT, IT STATES THAT TO PLAY A SPORT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE ONLY OF DESIGNATED AS A FEMALE AT FIRST.

COMING UP, THE STRUGGLE TO KEEP FLORIDA BEACHES PRISTINE AS DENNIS PREPARES TO WELCOME HOLIDAY VISITORS, THE CITY IS FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY.

WE NORRIS, THEY'RE SANDY SHORES.

AS THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN WORK TO FINALIZE A DEAL TO END OF THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

DRIVERS ARE FEELING SOME RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP AAA SAYS GAS PRICES STAYED BELOW $4 FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW IN FLORIDA, THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IS $3.81 THAT'S NEARLY $0.20 CHEAPER THAN IT WAS ONE MONTH AGO.

COLLIER AND HENDRY COUNTIES ARE STILL SEEING SOME OF THE HIGHEST PRICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

BUT PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP EVEN MORE HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WGC USE EILEEN KELLY LOOKS IT.

HOW WHEN IT COMES TO STABLE PRICES, IT STARTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> THE UNITED STATES IS LARGELY ENERGY INDEPENDENT, PRODUCING SOME 14 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL A DAY AND IMPORTING IF NECESSARY IN THE PEAK USE SUMMER MONTHS FROM CANADA IN VENEZUELA RIGHT NOW THE U.S.

IS IMPORTING ABOUT 3 MILLION BARRELS A DAY AND EVEN SMALLER AMOUNT OF CRUDE COMES FROM THE PERSIAN GULF.

SO WHY ARE AMERICAN PRICES TIED TO THE WAR IN IRAN WHICH SENT PRICES SKYROCKETING?

I SPOKE WITH DOCTOR TOM SAYING HE SAYS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ENERGY FINANCE AT TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

I ASKED HIM TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY US PRICES STILL REMAIN HIGH.

SIMPLY PUT OIL, HE SAID IS A GLOBALLY TRADED COMMODITY AND PRICES ARE DICTATED BY WORLDWIDE SUPPLY.

ANY DISRUPTION LIKE THE WAR ACROSS THE GLOBE DICTATES PRICES AT THE PUMP FOR AMERICANS.

WE END UP IMPORTING HEAVY OIL FROM CANADA.

>> FROM VENEZUELA AND WE EXPORT SOME OF THAT LIGHTER WILL BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T USE IT AT A REFINERY.

SO IT'S A VERY WEIRD DYNAMIC.

BUT THE POINT IS THE IMPORTED OIL IS PRICED AT THE GLOBAL PRICE LEVEL, WHICH HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.

IT AND THE WTI, THE U.S.

GRAIL.

>> AND WHILE GAS PRICES HAVE DROPPED, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.

THEN A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME AND OIL IS TRADING AT $70 A BARREL DOWN FROM $119 WHEN THE WAR STARTED.

SO SHOULDN'T PRICES DROPPED TO PREWAR LEVELS THAT EVEN THOUGH PRICES TO SKYROCKET THE OPPOSITE A FREE FALL NEVER HAPPENS, BUT ALL IS NOT LOST, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

THANKS TO THE VERY FRAGILE CEASE-FIRE IN PLACE WITH IRAN, WHICH IS OPEN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

>> SO ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS ALWAYS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THE THE STATEMENTS MADE WELL, THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS OPEN AND WE FIND IT IS NOT REALLY OPEN.

WELL THERE THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT ACTUALLY ARE THEIR TANKER TRACKERS.

ONE OF IN PARTICULAR KPLR KEPLER AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE OIL TANKERS FLOWING THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

ABOUT 13 A DAY IS WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.

PREWAR.

YOU HAD MORE LIKE 100 A DAY, BUT STILL THAT THAT IDEA, EILEEN, THAT WE KNOW THERE'S SOME OIL COMING OUT OF THERE THAT LOOSENS THE SUPPLY DEMAND SITUATION GLOBALLY.

>> SO I ASKED DOCTOR SAYING WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD EXPECT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> SO RIGHT NOW THINGS ARE OPTIMISTIC.

>> THAT WE WILL GET TO A MORE PERMANENT PEACE.

>> AND WE'LL GET TO A NEGOTIATION WHERE EVERYTHING IS WORKED OUT AND THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

BUT KIND OF TO YOUR POINT, I THINK WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL HOLD, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY SEEMS TO BRING A NEW SITUATION.

THERE ARE STILL ATTACKS GOING ON.

SO YES, MORE OIL IS FLOWING.

THAT'S GREAT.

BUT WILL IT CONTINUE THAT?

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT QUESTION IS STILL UP IN THE AIR.

>> WGC YOU NEWS.

THIS IS DIVING.

KELLY.

>> AS STUDENTS ARE OUT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR SUMMER BREAK, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE SUMMER SLOWDOWN DOES NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT CHILDREN'S LEARNING WGC XIAN TO PARK JOINS US NOW TO TELL US HOW GROUPS ARE USING BOOKS TOO.

EMPOWER EDUCATION.

>> YES, JENNIFER.

>> THE IDEA IS THAT SUMMER MONTHS ARE FOR FUN AND RELAXATION BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP KIDS LEARNING EVEN WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT IN COLLIER COUNTY THERE AS A NONPROFIT GROUP CALLED BOOKS FOR COLLIER KITS.

THEY TELL ME THEIR MISSION IS TO GET BOOKS IN THE HANDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF READING HABITS.

UNFORTUNATELY, INCLEMENT WEATHER SPAWNED A PLANNED BUT CAN DOUBT EVENT LAST WEEK.

HOW MANY BOOKS WERE YOU HOPING TO GET TODAY?

AT LEAST 2.

RAIN IS COMING IN.

LIGHTNING IS OUT THERE.

SO THEY HAD TO CANCEL TONIGHT.

WE ARE LEAVING THE BOOKS HERE FOR THE SUMMER CAMPS HERE IN IMMOKALEE.

>> DESPITE THE CANCELLATION AND KIDS CAN STILL GET THE CHANCE TO PICK UP.

BUT IF THEY ATTEND ONE OF THE SUMMER CAMPS IN COLLIER COUNTY.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU COULD YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE SPECIFIC EFFORTS OF THIS GROUP.

THIS OUTREACH GROUP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR BOOKS FOR COLLIER, KIDS SAYS THEY DISTRIBUTE BOOKS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE.

THE BOOKS ARE BRAND NEW AND THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THEY PURCHASED FROM A PUBLISHER FOR A HEFTY DISCOUNT.

THEN VOLUNTEERS WITH BOOKS FOR COLLIER, KIDS AND EACH CHILD.

ONE BOOK EVERY MONTH.

THEY ALSO PARTNER WITH THE COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT HOSTS A COMMUNITY EVENT FOR THE KIDS CALLED HOT SUMMER NIGHTS.

>> NOW WHAT IS THE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS EVENT?

>> IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT HOSTED BY THE COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES EVENTS AND DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

THERE'S THIS SUMMER.

SO SHOT TYPICALLY AT A COMMUNITY CENTER OR PARK AND THERE DEPUTIES SAYS TANG OUT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS THERE'S TYPICALLY A TREATS A BOUNCE HOUSE AND OTHER GAMES THAT KIDS CAN PLAY WITH ALONG WITH DEPUTIES.

I MET WITH SERGEANT CHRIS SALA MEN WHO HAS WORKED IN THE YOUTH DIVISION FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND EXPLAINS WHY EVENT IS IMPORTANT.

YOU GAIN COMMUNITY TRUST IF THEY SEE YOU AS A PERSON, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO COME TO YOU WITH HERE.

>> PROBLEMS ARE THINGS THAT THEY MAY NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TELLING SOMEBODY ELSE.

I'VE BEEN OUT IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR 10 YEARS.

I KNOW GENERATIONS OF KIDS.

I HAVE KIDS THAT WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT HERE THAT NOW HAVE KIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I SEE THEM AS ADULTS DROPPING THEIR KIDS.

THEIR KIDS OFTEN CAR LINE AND THEY STILL SAY HELLO.

THIS SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DEMONSTRATE CARE.

>> A SOFTER APPROACH TO COMMUNITY POLICING.

YOU CAN SAY.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT THESE PARTNERSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY REINFORCE ONE ANOTHER IN STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY.

MANY KIDS HAVE HAVE YEAR USES OF TECHNOLOGY DURING THEIR SUMMER BREAK.

BUT HERE YOU HAVE BOOKS FOR COLLIER, KIDS THAT PROVIDES A KIND OF ANTIDOTE TO THE PROBLEM OF OVER USE OF TECHNOLOGY WILL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL NONPROFIT.

THANK YOU, JAN.

2.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BOOKS FOR COLLIER, KIDS.

>> AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

YOU CAN HEAD TO THEIR WEBSITE AT BOOKS FOR CALLING YOUR KIDS DOT ORG.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO STAY COOL WITH THE KIDS THIS SUMMER, ONE OF THE BEST SPOTS JUST MIGHT BE THE POOL.

BUT IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE DEEP END, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS FROM YOUR HAIR AND SKIN TRYING OUT ONE TIP WEDDING, YOUR HAIR BEFORE JUMPING INTO THE WATER.

THAT WILL HELP KEEP YOUR HAIR FROM ABSORBING TOO MUCH.

CHLORINE.

IT'S ALSO RECOMMENDED TO WEAR A HAIR MASK OR A SWIM CAP AND RINSE YOUR HAIR OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU GET OUT OF THE WATER.

CLEVELAND CLINIC DERMATOLOGIST DR.

JENNIFER LUCAS SAYS THAT EVEN SUNSCREEN CAN HELP FROM DRYING OUT WHILE YOU'RE IN THE WATER.

>> ANYTHING YOU PHYSICALLY PUT ON YOUR SKIN JUST LIKE YOUR HAIR IS GOING TO PREVENT THE WATER FROM BEING ABSORBED.

SO YOU CAN HAVE MOISTURIZER ON YOUR SKIN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT ON.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PUTTING ON IS YOUR SUNSCREEN.

AND SO IF YOU GET THAT NICE APPLICATION OF SUNSCREEN, NOT ONLY IS A BARRIER TO THE SUN, BUT IT'S ALSO A BARRIER TO THAT CHLORINE.

>> FROM THE POLE TO THE MORE THAN 800 MILES OF SHORELINE.

BEACHES ARE ONE OF THE MAIN STAPLES OF THE FLORIDA LIFESTYLE MAINTAINING THOSE PRISTINE SHORES HAS BECOME A REGULAR ROUTINE AND KEEPING VISITORS AND LOCALS HAPPY EVERY YEAR, FLORIDA LOSES MILLIONS OF CUBIC YARDS OF SAND.

ACCORDING TO THE USGS, FREQUENT EROSION HAPPENS WITH SAND BEING PULLED INTO NEARSHORE BARS ARE WASHED INLAND.

IT CAN BE WORSE WITH HURRICANES WHICH CAN STRIP AWAY MASSIVE VOLUMES, AT LEAST COMMUNITIES WITHIN NEED TO FIND THE BEST STAND FOR BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECTS THE CITY OF VENICE SAYS THE THINNING SHORELINE AT THE BEACH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RESTOCKED WITH SAND LAST YEAR.

BUT THE U.S.

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER COULDN'T LOCATE ENOUGH OF THE RIGHT QUALITY OF SAND TO REBUILD 3.2 MILES OF THE SHORELINE WCU SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE.

THEY CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT KIND OF SAND.

THAT'S GOOD EVENING, JENNIFER.

>> IT'S IT'S TRUE.

>> AND IT'S NOT NEW FINDING THE BEACH QUALITY SAND HAS BEEN DIFFICULT ALONG FLORIDA'S SHORES FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

THAT THERE'S INCREASINGLY AND THURS OF THE RIGHT KIND OF SAND TO REBUILD THE BEACH ANYWHERE ALONG THE BIG STATE JUTTING OUT INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE GULF.

WE'LL TAKE SOME EXPLAINING BEACH BUILDERS HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FINDING BEACH COMPATIBLE SAN SINCE EARLY THIS CENTURY.

THE 20TH 6 RESEARCH PAPER ON FLORIDA'S SOUTHWEST COAST FOUND THAT THE EASY TO REACH STAND NEAR SURE IS MOSTLY USED UP.

IT'S NOT THAT THERE ISN'T SAND OFFSHORE.

IT'S JUST NOT THE RIGHT KIND.

THE GREENS ARE TOO BIG TO FULLER ROCKS AND THE MATERIALS TO STILL T.

>> BUT THEN THE >> REGULARLY SCHEDULED 2025.

RENOURISHMENT.

THAT WAS TOO LATE TO 2020 THAT DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE FINDING A NOW TO QUIT PAM FOREST.

>> THAT'S STEVE BARONS, CITY ENGINEERING MANAGER IN CHARGE OF THE FEDERAL PROJECT.

SUPPORTERS OF BEACH REBUILDING SAY A WIDE SHORELINE IS A GREAT WAY TO PROTECT OCEANFRONT HOMES AND BUSINESSES FROM STORMS.

CRITICS SAY RESTOCKING SHORELINES WITH SAND IS A HUGE WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MANY FEDERALLY SPONSORED HARASSMENT COME WITH A 50 YEAR GUARANTEE TO RESTOCK SCENE AND EACH TIME THE EROSION THAT LISTED AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE WASHES IT AWAY AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SUPPORTERS OF BEACH BUILDING DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT.

THE PROCESS CAN BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL NIGHTMARE AT THE SITE, LAYERS OF SEDIMENT ARE DISTURBED AND THE CREATURES THAT LIVE WITHIN THEM ARE SCATTERED TUGS TO THE FULL SAND BARGES TO THE BEACH.

BELCHING DIESEL, SMOKE AND FUMES THE WHOLE WAY SAND PUMP THIS SLURRY ONTO AN ERODED BEACH.

BARRY, HUNDREDS OF WORMS, CRABS AND OTHER TINY CREATURES AT THE BASE OF THE FOOD CHAIN.

THE BIRDS THAT FEED ON THEM ARE DISRUPTED NEARSHORE REEFS AND OTHER FEEDING ROUTE ALONG THE SURF ZONE ARE BURIED UNDER ALL THE NEW SAND.

SOME COUNTIES HAVE ALREADY TURNED TO INLAND SAND.

FLORIDA SITS ON SAND DEPOSITS THAT BUILT UP OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS LONG BEFORE THE COAST.

LOOK ANYTHING LIKE IT DOES NOW.

THAT'S AND HIS MIND.

AND THEN IT CAN BE BLENDED TO BE JUST RIGHT IN SIZE, SHAPE, AND COLOR AND THEN TRUCKED TO THE COAST.

COLLIER COUNTY STOPPED FIGHTING THE SUPPLY PROBLEM AND STARTED TRUCKING.

THE COUNTY TURNED INLAND IN 2013.

IT DID SO AGAIN FOR THE 2021 RE NOURISHMENT OF VANDERBILT BEACH TRUCKING SAND, DOZENS OF MILES FROM IN IMMOKALEE MIND AT 22 TONS, A LOAD AND $11.

A TON SIFTED TO MATCH THE COUNTY'S OFF LIGHT GREENS ABOUT A 3RD OF A MILLIMETER ACROSS.

IT WORKS.

BUT IT COST MORE AND IT MEANS DIESEL TRUCKS ARE GRINDING DOWN THE ROADS TO MOVE SOMETHING THE OCEAN USED TO DELIVER FOR FREE.

THE CONTRACTOR GETS STARTED AND CAN MOVE ALONG.

ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE.

THEY'RE HOPING TO THEN IT WILL.

>> POSSIBLY BE DONE IN JULY.

>> THE SCIENCE OF BEACH BUILDING IS GETTING THAT EXACT.

WHEN THE PROCESS OF DREDGING AND SPREADING NEWS AND UNDERGOES SOME EQUAL SCIENTIFIC IMPROVEMENT.

CRITICS WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME VALID ARGUMENTS AGAINST REBUILDING FLORIDA INSURANCE.

>> TOM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION.

YOU WILL.

HERE'S ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT ABOUT BEACH SAND FROM THE WGC NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO FLORIDA STATE PARKS, MOST SAND ALONG FLORIDA'S GULF COAST IS COMPRISED OF 2 MAIN PROPERTIES.

COURTS CRYSTALS AND CRUSHED MARINE MATERIALS.

SUCH AS MOLLUSK SHELLS.

CORAL IN LIMESTONE.

THOSE ELEMENTS COMBINE INTO THE MOSTLY PRISTINE BEACHES THAT WE ALL GET TO ENJOY HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT WGC.

YOU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK, WE ENTER THE FRONT LINES OF BOTANICAL CONSERVATION AS NUMEROUS NATIVE PLANT SPECIES FACE SERIOUS THREATS OF SURVIVAL GROUPS ARE UNITING TO MAKE SURE THEIR BOOTS IN CONSERVATIONISTS SAY MANY OF FLORIDA'S NATIVE PLANT SPECIES ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDENS HAS PARTNERED WITH ROOKERY BAY TO HELP PRESERVE THREATENED FLORIDA WGC IS KATE KRONON VENTURES OUT TO KEEWATIN ISLAND FOR A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

>> THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN CONSERVATION TEAM BEGINS ITS JOURNEY WITH THE VOTE RIGHT?

A TRIP ACROSS THE SAND DUNES OF KEEWAYDIN ISLAND.

WITH THE HELP OF EXPERTS FROM ROOKERY BAY.

IT'S A TRAVEL TO A RARE ECOSYSTEM CALLED FLORIDA SCRUB.

NOW THREATENED BY COASTAL DEVELOPMENT IN TROPICAL STORMS.

BUT THIS ISLAND IS GUARDED BY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES LIKE JONATHAN FARQUHAR.

>> IT'S VERY HERE FOR 10 SAYS AND AT SEA OXIDE, WHICH IS THE COMMON NAME.

>> NEARLY EVERY WEEK THE TEAM VENTURES INTO THE ENDANGERED SCRUB GATHERING PLANT MATERIAL AND SEATS FOR THEIR CONSERVATION COLLECTION.

>> THE ONLY WANT TO TAKE ABOUT LIKE 10% OF THE POPULATION.

AND THE BECAUSE THE SYSTEM CAN STILL RECOVER ON ITS OWN.

AND ALL THE CRITTERS STILL HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD AND SHELTER.

>> SIMILAR TO HOW MUSEUMS PRESERVE A WORK OF ART.

THE GARDEN IS PRESERVING THREATENED SPECIES IN A SEED BANK.

THEY KEEP SAMPLE SAFE IN CASE THEY ARE NEEDED TO REPLENISH FLORIDA'S HABITATS.

>> WHEN WE'RE COLLECTING WITH THE WE COLLECT MORE THAN 10%.

AND THAT'S TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF SPECIES WITHIN RC BANK, JUST BECAUSE THIS AREA IS SO IMPERILED DO.

IT'S A LOT OF HIGH FREQUENCIES OF STORMS RECENTLY.

>> IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL STEP, BUT THESE TINY SEASON STAY THINGS ADD UP.

IN FACT, ACCORDING TO VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION, CHAD, WASHBURN THE GARDEN JUST HIT A HUGE MILESTONE.

>> WE'RE EXCITED.

HERSEY BANK IS FAIRLY YOUNG, BUT WE'VE JUST REACHED A MILESTONE OF ONE-MILLION SEASON RC BANK THAT REALLY REPRESENTS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THAT.

BUT SO FAR WE'VE CONSERVED ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF THE PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE TO COLLIER COUNTY, WHICH I THINK IS ANOTHER GREAT BENCHMARK FOR US.

>> WITH A LIST OF MORE THAN 200 PLANS TO COLLECT FARQUHAR AND HIS TEAM ARE ON WHAT COULD BE THE WORLD'S MOST DIFFICULT SCAVENGER HUNT.

ONCE THEY'RE SATISFIED WITH TODAY'S FINDINGS, THE SAMPLES GO STRAIGHT INTO THE SEED LAB.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO REMOVE THE CASINGS.

SUMMER CRUSHED TO RELEASE THE INDIVIDUAL SEEDS AFTER BEING CLEANED.

THEY GO INTO A SEAT LOWER WHICH SEPARATES LIGHTER, LESS VIABLE SEEDS FROM HEAVIER ONES, WHICH ARE MORE LIKELY TO GERMANY.

FARQUHAR PLACES, THE SEEDS AND A CONSTANT DOOR.

THE TALLY THE NUMBER OF SEATS THE LAST STEP IS DEDICATION.

>> THIS IS WHERE THEY BASICALLY SAID TO DRY OUT SO WE CAN PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER.

>> FINALLY, THE SEATS JOURNEY ENDS WITH THE CONSERVATION FREEZERS.

THIS ONE HOLD OVER 600,000 SEATS.

BUT WHAT MAKES EACH COLLECTION SO IMPORTANT GETTING THESE INTO OUR COLLECTIONS AND MAKING THEM AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH.

>> AND RESTORATION REALLY HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY THAT LIVES HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY.

THE RESTORATION OF THE BEACHES, IF WE CAN RESTORE OUR BEACHES, WE CAN KEEP THAT PROTECTIVE DUNES BARRIER AGAIN, STORMS.

BUT THEN WE CAN ALSO RECOVER QUICKLY AND OUR ECONOMY CAN KEEP GOING.

AND VISITORS CAN KEEP COMING TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> ALTHOUGH HABITATS LIKE THE FLORIDA SCRUB ARE ENDANGERED AS LONG AS CONSERVATIONISTS AT THE NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN AND RICK REPAY HAVE A SAY THEY AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE.

4 DEPUTY GCU NEWS.

I'M KATE KRONON.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WTC DOT ORG WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.