UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County

Spotlight: UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County’s Natural Resources Agent

by Lara Milligan
November 17, 2025

Extension was the dream job I never knew existed. It was because of you that my position was ever created. You spoke up and said, “We need to educate on the value and importance of our environment and natural resources”. A sentiment ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Professional Development, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Lmilligan, Natural Resources, Pinellas County, Pinellas County Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Resources

Spotlight: Pinellas County Urban Horticulture Extension Agent Theresa Badurek

by Theresa Badurek
November 12, 2025

Theresa Badurek, Extension Agent, Urban Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County I am the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Pinellas ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, Work & Life
Tags: Extension, Gardening, Horticuture, Master Gardener, Plants

Learn Through Listening: A Hurricane Podcast Series

by Lara Milligan and Shannon Carnevale

September 22, 2025

Naturally Florida podcast is in it's 5th season and is excited to announce a NEW series, all about hurricanes! Naturally Florida is a podcast designed to teach listeners about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here. Both ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Category, Hurricane, Hurricanes, Naturally Florida Podcast, Storms, Weather

Celebrate World Mangrove Day

by Katie Mastenbrook
July 26, 2025

Today we celebrate World Mangrove Day, a time to recognize the salt-tolerant trees that quietly protect Florida’s coastlines every single day. Mangroves are a critical part of our coastal ecosystems, especially here in the Tampa Bay region, ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Coastline Builders, Estuary, Mangrove, Nursery, Protection

See Smoke? Smell Smoke? Be In the Know.

by Lara Milligan, Ludie Bond, Raelene Crandall and David Godwin

July 14, 2025

Pinellas County isn't blessed with large stretches of green space, but we do oversee over 20,000 acres of parks and preserves. Some of these natural areas are managed using prescribed fire, and occasionally, they experience wildfires. Although ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Fire, Forest Fire, Prescribed Fire, Smoke, Wildfire

It’s Hurricane Season. Again.

by Cindi Hetz
July 11, 2025

Hurricane season starts on June 1 every year and goes until November 30. In 2024, Pinellas County was damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and residents are still recovering. Most long-time Floridians know their zone and have ... READ MORE

Category:

Celebrate Stormwater Stewardship Month in May!

by Lara Milligan
April 16, 2025

Stormwater Stewardship Month: Join Us in Protecting Our Water Resources UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, in collaboration with Pinellas County Environmental Management and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, is proud to announce Stormwater ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Stewardship, Stormwater, Tampa Bay, Water Quality, Water Resources

Gopher Tortoise Day: “Shell-a-Brate” This Keystone Species

by Katie Mastenbrook
April 10, 2025

April 10 has officially been adopted by the Gopher Tortoise Council, as Gopher Tortoise Day! A Look at the Gopher Tortoise Gopher tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles that grow to about 10 to 14 inches long and weigh ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: #conservation, #gophertortoiseday, #keystonespecies, #reptile, #tortoise, Burrow, Florida

Teens and Trauma: Getting the Support They Need

by Cindi Hetz
April 7, 2025

Youth Perspective By Guest Blogger: Sofia Olsen Introduction Disasters, such as hurricanes, can have lasting effects on people in many different ways. While physical damage often gets the most attention, the psychological impact ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Mental Health, Pinellas County, Teenagers, Teens, Warning Signs, Youth Perspective

Brand New “Planting Pinellas” Podcast from Master Gardeners Available Now!

by Theresa Badurek
March 28, 2025

We're thrilled to announce the launch of "Planting Pinellas," a brand-new podcast dedicated to sustainable gardening and landscaping in Pinellas County. Produced by passionate Master Gardener Volunteers from the Pinellas County Extension Office ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, Work & Life
Tags: Botany, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Master Gardener, Plants, Podcast

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