Due to the COVID-19 virus, and SO many programs and projects on hold, we have changed the format for Sea Grant Notes to address what is going on.
All UF IFAS extension programs, meetings, site visits, and volunteer programs are suspended until MID-MAY.
BITE SIZED SCIENCE WEBINARS
Florida Sea Grant is presenting short webinars are a variety of marine science related topics.
They will be broadcast each day from now until May 29. 3:00 PM CDT. Registration link http://bit.ly/bite-sizedscience
TODAY – 3:00 PM
Introduction to Aquaculture – Dr. Laura Tiu
NEXT WEEK
Mon Mangrove Ecology – Capt. Betty Staugler
Tue Goliath Groupers: Fact and Fiction – Dr. Angela Collins
Wed The Oil Spill – Dr. Monica Wilson
Thu Bay Scallops and Scallop Restoration – Dr. Josh Patterson and Brittany Scharf
Fri Purchasing Local Seafood – Holly Abeels
SEAFOOD @ YOUR FINGERTIPS
Live broadcast of local seafood items and how to prepare them. The presentations will include cooking!
Each Wednesday – 5:00 PM – http://www.flseagrant.org/seafood/seafoodatyourfingertips/
This Week: May 20 – Shrimp! Using a popular recipe
MANATEE SIGHTINGS – no manatees reported this week
Please contact me if you see one. Thanks
FLORIDA INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK (FLISAW)
This annual event educates the public about local invasive species issues. This year the UF IFAS Extension NW District Natural Resource team will be presenting a series of Facebook Live broadcast each morning at 9:00 AM CDT.
Mon May 18 – Kick-Off we will begin by discussing local issues and terms
Tue May 19 – Giant Salvinia – this is problem pond plant in some parts of the panhandle.
Wed May 20 – Feral Hogs – this is a problem everywhere.
Thu May 21 – Regal Demoiselle – this is a new tropical fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
Fri May 22 – Wrap Up – we will review all and explain how you can help
Join us each morning at https://www.facebook.com/PanhandleOutdoorsNews/
YOUTH SCIENCE LESSONS
Will continue this week – Monday thru Thursday.
We have done Lessons 1-8 for invasive species, local wildlife, water, and backyard habitats
You will be able to find these on the Escambia County Extension Natural Resource Page
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
YOUTH SCIENCE LESSON FROM THE ROY HYATT ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Metamorphosis of the Insect!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBJDG4Uwp1c
Plants Are Alive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4re8FXB3LY
In Search of a Carnivore!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxC2lMSLO6A
Ant Mound Mystery!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqwu0OFuQxU
Whooo Left That Behind? and What in the World Is It?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ4V_pBMzB8
Snakes, and Scales, and Turtle Tails! part 1: Reptiles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7B58fxwf2g
Snakes, and Scales, and Turtle Tails! part 2: The Crocodilians
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyUmFdH4vT0
Snakes, and Scales, and Turtle Tails! Part 3: The Turtles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7B58fxwf2g
The Secret Life of Plants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyUmFdH4vT0
MORE YOUTH SCIENCE LESSONS:
The GoMRI consortia RECOVER (housed at University of Miami RSMAS) has created a great resource to help students/teachers learn more about how their lab group does oil spill experiments with fish. They do virtual experiments for all ages/grades. Please feel free to share with whomever you think would be interested.
YOUTH SCIENCE LESSONS PROVIDED BY 1000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA
We have compiled a list of educational activities and curriculum tailored for K-12 students and organized by Florida’s education standards (social studies, reading/language arts, science). These distance learning resources produced by conservation, civic and planning organizations teach students about creating more resilient and sustainable communities; they explore our natural lands, waters and wildlife; and they detail the effort needed to plan for and design better places.
CURRENT ARTICLES
ESCAMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION NATURAL RESOURCE BLOGS
Weekly “What is it?” – Carrie Stevenson
Crawfish Mounds
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/05/13/weekly-what-is-it-crawfish-mounds/.
Youth Science Lessons – Lessons 8
Invasive species – Reporting Invasive Species
Local wildlife – A Wildlife Mystery
Water, the Magic Molecule – Water Quantity
Backyard Habitats – Water Features
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
Embrace the Gulf 2020 – the nemertean worms
Continuing this series about the natural and cultural history of “The Pond”
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/05/13/embrace-the-gulf-2020-the-nemertean-worms/.
2020 Year of the Turtle – map turtles
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/05/04/2020-year-of-the-turtle-map-turtles/.
Panhandle Outdoors
Urbanization and MS4s in Stormwater – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
Crawfish! – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
Embrace the Gulf 2020 – the Nemertean Worms – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
Florida Invasive Species Awareness Week (FLISAW) – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
UF IFAS Water Management Lunch & Learn Courses
The lunch and learn In-Service Training opportunity, Introduction to Water Resources Management in Florida has been updated to ensure the safety and security of these webinars. We have changed the Zoom link and are requiring registration for all webinars.
| Topic | Presenter | Date | Click Link to Register |
| TMDLs overview | Mary Lusk | 3/17/20 | Video recording here |
| BMAPs overview | Lisa Krimsky and Charles Barrett | 4/28/20 | Register here |
| BMAPs – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) | Eban Bean | 5/19/20 | Register here |
| BMAPs – On-site sewage systems | Andrea Albertin | 6/16/20 | Register here |
| BMAPs – Ag BMPs | Lakesh Sharma | 7/14/20 | Register here |
| Hydrology 101 and using the DBYHYDRO environmental dataset | Haimanote Bayabil | 8/18/20 | Register here |
Home School Resources
THESE ARE PROVIDED COURTESY OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
As schools are closing for several months, many parents are being precipitously thrust into the world of homeschooling.
I thought it might be helpful to review some of the leading online support systems, curricula sites etc. for homeschooling. If you are not trying to educate your own kids, you may know someone who could use such resources. There are hundreds of sites so this is not a comprehensive list. — These are some of the vetted homeschool sites that are more comprehensive, professional, fun and secular.
Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com/
Starts out with informative videos to help you get started on your new homeschooling journey
Has lesson planning tools and comprehensive curricula including keeping up with standardized tests. Has resources for gifted learners, summers learning, student-pacing, tailored scheduling, and more.
Calvert Education: https://www.calverthomeschool.com/
Offers materials for sale and three months free service during pandemic. Offers comprehensive, media rich curricula -K-12 Language arts, math, etc. Has an online support system.
Outschool https://outschool.com/#abk8n3khls
Thousands of educator-generated videos on everything from reading, math and science and applied skills including weather basics to raising chickens and the science behind it. Unusually fun for kids because it goes beyond standard curricula to life skills such as cooking, finances, study skills and more.
Gryphon House https://www.gryphonhouse.com/
Offers books for early childhood according to age – infants, toddlers, preschool and elementary — in content areas including literacy, science, music and more. Has support information in social science and educational management for parents and educators.
GettingReady4Kindergarten https://www.getready4kindergarten.com/learning-club
GR4K is a year-long learning-based program that families can do at home. GR4K will help you teach your child the skills needed to enter Kindergarten ready to succeed.
Turtle Trash Collectors
In response to the COVD-19 pandemic, UNCW MarineQuest is now offering FREE VIRTUAL Turtle Trash Collectors programs funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program (https://uncw.edu/marinequest/2tc.html)!
This program is designed to educate youth about the impacts of marine debris and encourage behavior changes to reduce the generation of marine debris in the future.
Water Quality Updates
Health Advisories
- We had stopped reporting due to COVID-19 and non-sampling, but FDOH has been and has posted – here is a “back track” update
- May 11 – Bayou Chico, Bayou Grande, Bayou Texar, Big Lagoon SP, Perdido Key SP (all good)
- May 12 – Park East (poor), Casino Beach, Quietwater beach, Park West (all good)
- May 13 – Park East re-tested (moderate) no advisory issued
- See all data below
Rainfall
- The rain has gone… and the fires are under better control
- Rainfall collected weekly from East Hill (UF IFAS)
- 2019 rainfall total in East Hill was 47.5”. Rainfall for airport was similar.
- Jan (4.0) Feb (2.8) Mar (0.6) – Winter (7.4”)
- Apr (3.2) May (0.0)
Salinity
- The objective of this citizen science project is to determine the mean/median/mode of salinity in local waterbodies for the purpose to assess the potential success of restoration projects: such as bay scallop and specific species of seagrasses. We are looking for a mean/median/mode of 20‰ or higher. We are hoping to get a minimum of 100 measurements from each location.
- 2020 1st Quarter Results
- Those with Mean/Mode of 20‰ or higher: Grande, Big Lagoon, Lower Perdido Bay, Old River
- Those below 20‰ at this time: Kees, Little Sabine
- Monitoring will continue after COVID-19
Longnose Killifish Monitoring
- ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Red Tide & Harmful Algal Blooms
- Last report for RED TIDE was posted May 8 (FWC)
- Panhandle – detected at background levels in Okaloosa County
- SW Florida – background concentrations in Charlotte County
- East Coast of FL – not detected
- HABs not detected this week
Fish Kills
- No Fish Kills reported in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, or May
- Report fish kills to FWC at – https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/.
Marine Science Academy – Washington High School – Fish & Water Quality Data – updated
http://whs-ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/MarineScienceAcademy.
Habitat Restoration
- OCEAN HOUR HAS SUSPENDED ALL CLEAN UPS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Living Shorelines – NO SITE VISITS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Seagrass Monitoring – ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Mangrove Migration – ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Wildlife & Fisheries Updates
- Panhandle Diamondback Terrapin Project – ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Horseshoe Crabs – ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Barrier Island Cottonmouth Survey – ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- The Great Scallop Search – PLANNED FOR JUNE 13 – ON HOLD FOR NOW
- The Great Scavenger Hunt – PLANNED FOR SEP 12
- Manatee Watch – PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH SIGHTINGS (roc1@ufl.edu)
- 2020 Gulf Red Snapper Season – June 11 – July 25
Invasive Species Updates
- Florida Invasive Species Awareness Week (FLISAW) – May 18-22
This year UF IFAS Extension will be providing Facebook Live broadcast of how to identify and remove selected local invasive species.
Monday May 18 – Intro to the Invasives and Terms; Scott Jackson, Julie McConnell (UF IFAS)
Tuesday May 19 – Giant Salvinia; Derek Fussell (FWC)
Wednesday May 20 – Feral Hogs; Jennifer Bearden (UF IFAS)
Thursday May 21 – Regal Demoiselle; Rick O’Connor (UF IFAS)
Friday May 22 – How to Report Invasive Species; Scott Jackson, Rick O’Connor (UF IFAS)
- Weed Wrangles – There is a virtual WEED WRANGLE ongoing until May 8. Simply find an invasive plant in your yard – photograph it before – remove it – photograph it after – and send to the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) at info@weedwrangle.org
- Lionfish
- – 2020 Emerald Coast Open – ON HOLD
- Inshore Lionfish Surveys – ON HOLD
- Regal Demoiselle – Currently working on publications for this species; MORE SOON
- Brown (Cuban) Anole – REPORT TO EDDMAPS IF FOUND IN YARD
- Tropical Fish Species of Concern – Currently working on publication; MORE SOON.
Seafood Updates
- Local Seafood is here and available! Consider local seafood for your meal choices
- Here’s what’s in Peak Season for MAY
- – Softshell blue crab
- – Clams
- – Crawfish
- – Mahi-Mahi
- – Brown shrimp (bay shrimp)
- – Pink shrimp
- – White shrimp (Gulf shrimp)
- – Snapper – check state limits and accessibility; change frequently
- – Spanish Mackerel
- Seafood @ Your Fingertips – We will be doing LIVE broadcast of this program. See information at the beginning of this newsletter.
- Seafood Safety Guidelines – Escambia County Division of Marine Resources – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.
HEALTH ADVISORY DATA
Enterococcus bacteria count rubric for health advisories (Florida Department of Health)
GOOD 0-35 colonies/100ml of sample
MODERATE 36-70 colonies/100ml
POOR 71> colonies/100ml
Health Advisory Frequency
Data provided by the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches Program
| Body of Water | # of samples collected | # of POOR reports | # of advisories issued | % frequency of advisories |
| Bayou Texar | 15 | 4 | 4 | .27 |
| Sanders Beach | 12 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Bayou Chico | 7 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Bayou Grande | 6 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Big Lagoon SP | 5 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Perdido Key SP | 6 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Casino Beach | 5 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Park East | 5 | 1 | 0 | .00 |
| Park West | 5 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Quietwater Beach | 5 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
Fish Kill Data provided by FWC (Escambia and Santa Rosa counties)
| Month | # of Fish Kills reported | # of Dead Fish reported | Cause |
| Jan | 0 | 0 | |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | |
| Mar | 0 | 0 | |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 0 | 0 |
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