As a part of Florida Hurricane Preparedness Week, state emergency management officials are encouraging every pet owner in Florida to include their animals in their family disaster preparedness plan before the start of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season. By planning for the needs of your pets, it will greatly increase the chances of their survival during disasters.

In a video message to members and supporters on the organization’s website (www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/blog),  Neil Armingeon announced that he is stepping down in 2012 as the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

Dr. Quincy Gibson, a marine mammal biologist at the University of North Florida, will present “Growing up in Jacksonville: Potential Effects of a Metropolitan Environment on the Social Lives of Bottlenose Dolphins” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at UNF’s University Center, Building 43. The lecture is free and open to the public.