If you ask most people, they can probably tell you their favorite animal. But it’s mostly us true botany dorks who will drop the Latin name of their favorite tree. For a long time, it was Quercus virginiana (live oak) for me. Sturdy ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
Everyone knows about coral reefs and almost everyone knows that the rock-like features of a reef are made small animals known as corals. What a lot of people do not know is what kind of animal a coral is – it’s not what most people think. It ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Many have heard of nutria, and associate the animal with the state of Louisiana, but they may have never seen one or know that they are in Escambia County. This large rodent resembles a beaver but differs in that the tail, rather than being ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending an international Extension conference in Costa Rica. Extension agents, specialists, and students from all over converged on the city of San Jose to share research and successful outreach programs ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
Almost everyone is familiar with the jellyfish known as the Portuguese Man-of-War (PMOW). These large blueish colored jellyfish drift in the ocean extending their venomous tentacles into the water. The sting of this creature is quite painful ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Although Tropical milkweed is widely grown and sold, gardeners have several native milkweed species they can plant instead. Learn about the issues with Tropical milkweed and three native selections with UF IFAS Extension Escambia County. https://youtu.be/MeH6B-zNRWc READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES
A sponge is another easily recognized marine creature. But if asked what type of creature it is – most would not be 100% sure. It “seems” like a plant – lives on the bottom, does not move – but it is not green. It is NOTHING ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Despite the cold snap that has dropped in on us this week, spring is arriving in northwest Florida. Pollen is coating cars, azaleas are in bloom, and bees are buzzing all over our blueberry bushes. During a recent trip to the trails ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
Earth Day originated 56 years ago as a reaction to the shocking headlines of oil spills, a polluted river catching fire, wildlife suffering from pesticide poisoning, and a general feeling that we’d been taking the planet for granted for ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Kayaking through a crystal blue spring, hiking among longleaf pines and discovering gopher tortoise burrows, gliding past alligators by boat in Mobile Bay, private tours of the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, meeting hundreds ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife