Of the one million identified insect species worldwide, less than 1% are considered true pests. Those pest insects are either harmful to us, to our food crops, or to our homes. They can also cause aesthetic damage. To… Read More
Communities derive many benefits from their urban forests, including improved air quality, increased stormwater filtration, reduced heat island effects, and positive physical and mental health impacts. A 2013 tree canopy study in Sarasota County indicated just 35% vegetation… Read More
By SOPHIA MOUNDOUS Sustainability Assistant, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County October is all about fall colors, pumpkins, and Halloween costumes. Here at Sarasota County Sustainability, we are also excited about October because it is National Energy Awareness Month, and today,… Read More
Indoor plant pets not only add ambience to a room by bringing the outside, inside, but plants also improve indoor air quality. Plants Talk Back So you may have heard it said that you should talk to… Read More
Inspired by Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” Take A Child Outside Week (Sept. 24-30) was founded to help connect children with nature and to combat what Louv has referred to as “nature-deficit disorder.” According to… Read More
By AMBER LOPATINE Intern, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Hi! I’m Amber, and I recently completed my summer internship experience with Sarasota County. Keep reading to learn about my summer adventures in Sustainability and Natural Resources. I have always… Read More
Summer is the season… for checking landscape plants for insects before they devour your plants with their ravenous appetite. Conservative estimates state there are over 12,000 species of insects in Florida, so it’s no wonder your hibiscus might… Read More
Have you ever heard that sickening thud as a bird hits your house or office window? Environment Canada ranked window collisions as the second-highest direct human cause of bird deaths in Canada, behind only habitat loss. They estimated that… Read More
“It’s a buggy world” is a sentiment that definitely rings true here in the sunshine state. With a conservative estimate of over 12,000 species of insects in Florida, there seems to be six-legged critters everywhere you look. Have… Read More
It is very likely that you know a few people who have a passion for purple, and celebrated author Alice Walker noted that it’s almost a cardinal sin for one to ignore nature’s salute to the color purple… Read More
