Category: Natural Resources

Oh, Poop! Is that what I think it is?!

by Kate Rose
July 14, 2023

In recent years, Charlotte Harbor (and the Southwest coast of Florida in general) has seen the periodic episodes of floating grey and brown carpet-like blobs. Their appearance, and the fact that they sometimes have a strong smell, gives the ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Algae, Charlotte Harbor, Florida Sea Grant, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Harmful Algal Blooms, Nuisance, Seagrass, Water, Water Quality

FL101 Summer Webinar Series

by Paul Schumaker
June 14, 2023

Did you just move to Florida and are feeling in over your head? Or maybe you’ve been living here your whole life and have some questions about your local environment? Tune into the Florida 101 Summer Webinar series. Designed to be viewed during ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Charlotte County, Charlotte Harbor, Charlotte Harbor Estuary, Education, Educational, Florida, Florida Sea Grant, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Hurricane-related, Hurricanes, Native, Nutrition, Nutritious, Seafood

Vibrio, Vibrio Everywhere!

by Kate Rose
June 6, 2023

It has been 8 months since Hurricane Ian, which came with an elevated number of cases of Vibrio vulnificus, or “flesh eating bacteria”, in Lee and Collier Counties. A new study from Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, Research, SFYL Hot Topic, Water
Tags: Disease, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Plastics, Saltwater, Water

The State of Charlotte Harbor Estuary Following Hurricane Ian

by Kate Rose
October 28, 2022

It has been a month since Hurricane Ian made landfall in the state of Florida and as some of the adrenaline starts to wear-off people have begun asking, “What impacts is the storm going to have on water quality going forward? Are we doomed ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Bacteria Monitoring, Charlotte Harbor Estuary, Fish Kill, Florida Sea Grant, Hurricane Ian, Red Tide

Celebrating the Outdoors

by Kristie Popa
September 23, 2020

By Kristie Popa Do you enjoy the outdoors? Have you ever gone hunting, fishing or target shooting? National Hunting and Fishing Day takes place on October 26th. This day serves as the perfect opportunity to celebrate the traditions of these ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Curriculum, Forests, Recreation, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H Environmental Programs, 4-H Shooting Sports, National Hunting And Fishing Day, Outdoors

Macroalgae in Estuaries

by Betty Staugler
September 10, 2020

Macroalgae are large species of algae often referred to as seaweeds. When not attached to bottom sediments, they are commonly called drift algae. Macroalgae come in colors of red, green, brown and black, and they randomly wash up on beaches ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Algae, Drift Algae, Florida Sea Grant, Nutrients, Seaweed, Water Quality

Best to stay away from the castor bean

by Ralph Mitchell
July 15, 2020

Some plants can be both beautiful and toxic at the same time. This includes the castor bean, Ricinus communis, a common invasive plant. Still commercially grown in some areas of the world for its industrial uses, castor beans have also been ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species
Tags: Castor Bean, CATEGORY II Invasive, Ricinus Communis, Toxic

Looking at algae in the earth’s oceans from space

by Betty Staugler
April 7, 2020

Being a marine biologist, I’ve always looked at the oceans and estuaries from the water – in, on, under – my marine biology world has been one of close contact, until last year. Last year is when I started working with a small group of ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Research, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Algae, Florida Sea Grant, HAB, NOAA, Ocean, Oceanographer, Satellite

Catch and Release Fishing

by Betty Staugler
March 19, 2020

Catch and release fishing is an important conservation tool that helps to sustain native fish populations by allowing more fish to remain and reproduce in the ecosystem. This practice provides an opportunity for more people to enjoy fishing ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation
Tags: Catch And Release, Fishing, Florida Sea Grant

Red tide respiratory forecasts help ensure enjoyable days at the beach!

by Betty Staugler
January 8, 2020

With red tide in southwest Florida giving us a reprieve, it’s a good time to think about the future. Red tides have occurred in Florida 57 of the last 66 years, so we should expect future events. But a red tide shouldn't mean we have to avoid ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, Research, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Algae, Brevotoxin, Florida Sea Grant, HAB, HABscope, Karenia Brevis, Red Tide

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