Category: Wildlife

The Oak, the Moss, and the Fern: The Art of Living Together

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
July 23, 2026

Have you ever found yourself standing beneath a giant live oak and looking up? Its massive branches stretch across the sky like arms. Silvery strands of Spanish moss move along with the breeze, while clusters of green resurrection fern ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Community, Extension, Ferns, Live Oak, Native Trees, Sustainability, Urban Environments, Urban Forest
photo of bee on pink flower

Florida Heat Isn’t Just Hard on Your Plants—It’s Hard on You, Too

by Angelika Keene
July 21, 2026

As Florida Master Gardeners, we know summer gardening isn't for the faint of heart. We carefully watch our plants for signs of heat stress, adjust our watering schedules, and look for ways to help our gardens survive another hot, humid day. But ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, NATURAL RESOURCES, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Community Wellness, Fall Gardening, Florida Heat, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Heat Illness Prevention, Heat Safety, Hydration, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Wellness, Outdoor Safety, Self Care, Spring Gardening Summer Gardening, Stay Cool, Summer Gardening, UF/IFAS Extension, Vegetable Gardening, Winter Gardening
A “Manatee Zone – Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” sign stands on posts in a calm coastal waterway, with a small motorboat traveling in the background and low green shoreline vegetation in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Boating Responsibly This Fourth of July: Safety, Wildlife, and Florida’s Waterways

by Holly Abeels
June 30, 2026

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest weekends of the year on Florida’s waterways. From lifelong locals to first-time visitors, thousands of people head out to enjoy time on the water. No matter your level of experience, understanding how ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, NATURAL RESOURCES, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Boating, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Recreation, Water

Shrimpin’ in the Sunshine State: Florida’s Shrimp Species, Seasons, and Fun Facts

by Holly Abeels
October 7, 2025

This blog post was developed using original content by Laila Cohen, intern UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County, and Holly Abeels, FL Sea Grant Extension Agent, and edited with assistance from Microsoft Copilot. Shrimping is a beloved tradition ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Cooking, Fish, Florida Sea Grant, Food, Nutrition

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