Ecosystem Services Our environment provides numerous benefits that are vital to our health and economic livelihood. These environmental benefits are called ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are classified into four major categories: regulating, provisional, cultural, and supporting services. It… Read More
An Environment of Inspiration Next week I will be backpacking in the Grand Canyon. A group of friends and I are spending five days exploring the canyon; one of the world’s most popular natural wonders. According to the… Read More
Introduction This morning I drank coffee and ate a giant bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and honey. Afterward, my family and I decided to go hiking. I put on my wool socks and filled up our reusable water… Read More
A Continued Series If you are currently eating breakfast or enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea-thank a pollinator. While you are outside today, enjoying the fresh air and shade-thank a tree. These are a couple examples… Read More
This is the fourth post in the Landscape Design Series “Don’t Panic” has been our reoccurring mantra with the landscape design series. Now that we have discussed some of the basics of landscape design, our confidence should have… Read More
Landscaping Pet Peeve Here are a few of my landscaping pet peeves: invasive species, volcano mulching, and improper irrigation. Improper irrigation bothers me the most, especially when I see wasted water on sidewalks and roadways. I used to… Read More
Appearance: The gopher tortoise is a moderate-sized, terrestrial turtle, averaging 23–28 cm (9–11 in) in length. The species is identified by its stumpy, elephantine hind feet and flattened, shovel-like forelimbs adapted for digging. The shell is oblong and… Read More
by Mark E. Hostetler If you were to look at Florida from an airplane, you would see urban environments expanding into natural areas. Thousands of people are moving into Florida each year. To make room for people moving… Read More
If you hear a loud buzz coming from trees in the daytime, the noise is most likely caused by cicadas. These buzzing critters make their presence known by leaving their brown exoskeletons on tree trunks and shrubs. Cicadas… Read More
By Samantha Grenrock UF/IFAS Communications When it comes to urban planning, sometimes a bird in hand is not worth two in the bush. Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have created an… Read More
