In summer 2023, seaweed drew widespread concern and media attention as a giant “blob” of sargassum invaded Florida as well as parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the bad press, messy beaches and pungent odor, a look beneath the surface reveals a vast world of diverse complexity, beauty and practical potential.
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In the whimsical world of floatie toys, the rubber duck reigns supreme. For more than a century, the familiar yellow duck with an orange bill, and thousands of derivations, have been mainstays in bathtubs, spas and pools the world ‘round.
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Traveling to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is a journey into a world of stunning Moorish architecture, lush gardens, complex history, and water. The sprawling complex is rich with details that evoke the property’s storied past, a place that rewards curiosity and provides inspiration for modern architects, watershapers, artists, and dreamers the world over.
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The UN’s annual report summarizing global water-related challenges paints a complex picture characterized by increasing demand for long-term planning and policy-making across governments, industry and science worldwide.
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Are sea turtles medicine? To survive, sea turtles need our help and are the perfect group of animals for Wildlife Conservation Therapy, which helps us in return, explained the late Wallace J. Nichols in this widely read essay on the importance of sea turtles.
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Tailoring pool designs that marry the clients’ desires with the setting is always top-of-mind for Joan Roca. Here, he describes a project on the Florida coast that stands as a perfect example of his design approach. In this case, he turned to a basic shape and a host of custom details, to create a watershape that offers function, and a striking centerpiece that unifies house, land and sea.
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Legislative moves to prohibit natural gas from backyards in California is badly misguided, argues Scott Cohen. While reducing carbon emissions is a valid objective, he says, trying to do so by eliminating natural gas-driven amenities does little to help the environment while stabbing at the heart of the state’s renown outdoor lifestyle.
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According to pond specialist, Larry Carnes, in order to mimic nature when designing and building ponds, waterfalls and streams, the process involves a comprehensive understanding of geological principles, the plant kingdom, water treatment, and how to avoid telltale mistakes.
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As the desire for a healthy lifestyle increases – while at the same time our population ages – the demand for wellness facilities, products and services looks to dramatically expand in coming years. David J. Peterson believes this powerful global macro-trend spells opportunity.
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Remembering a Leader: Vance Gillette