Sea urchins are one of the more commonly encountered creatures when snorkeling in our seagrass beds. At times these little pin cushions can be found in great numbers. In some locations there have been too many and community events have been ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Vines grow like crazy in the heat and humidity of Florida. We have a lot of desirable native vine species like muscadine, with their tasty grapes, and morning glory, covered in brilliant purple and white flowers that help keep beach dunes ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
My wife and I like to sit on our back porch and watch the sunset each day. We do not make all of them, but we try to make as many as we can. We often see small bats darting in all directions feeding on bugs. Recently we were enjoying a ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
In terms of diversity and abundance, the Phylum Arthropoda is the most successful in the Animal Kingdom. Between them all, there are over one million species. They can be found in all habitats, from the deepest part of the ocean to the highest ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
A colorful flower in bloom is often the first thing people notice when they head outside. At any given time of year, I try to make a point of knowing what’s blooming in the woods, because if I’m with a group of people they’ll always ... READ MORE
Category: Natural ResourcesIn Part 5 of this series, we looked at a group of invertebrates that few people see, and no one is looking for – worms. But in this article, we will be looking at a group that seagrass explorers see frequently and some, like the bay scallop, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesMost of us in the Florida panhandle realize how important seagrasses are to the ecology of our estuaries. Not only do they provide habitat for commercially important finfish and shellfish, but they also help trap sediments, remove nitrogen ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
As a mostly land-locked state with a relatively tiny coastline, going to a university in Alabama to earn a degree in marine biology seems like an unusual choice at first. However, both our Sea Grant Agent, Rick, and I can attest it works ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
During the spring and early summer beach vitex is not in seed and this is a good time to remove this invasive plant from your property. This time of year, the leaves have their unique blueish-green coloration, allowing them to stand out from ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesWhen most hear the word worm unpleasant things come to mind. “Gross”, “dirty”, “decaying”, “disease”, “rotten”, are a few. And then there is the whole parasite thing. But then there are those who like them. Gardeners, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources