Like a surprising number of schools, the University of West Florida (UWF) has two mascots: the Argonaut and the Nautilus. Or technically, a mascot and “emblem.” Both representatives are tied intrinsically to the university’s location ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
A recent study was published by a team from the University of Florida documenting wildlife using underground stormwater sewer lines for both travel and roosting areas. These results suggest that wildlife are adapting to the heavily influenced ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
If you've followed college football or spent any amount of time in Florida, you know the rivalry between the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) is one of the big ones. My husband was raised a Gator fan from childhood, ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Last week I had the opportunity to join my husband in Mexico while he attended a conference. During some of his downtime, we explored an archaeological area called El Rey Ruins in busy Cancun. It was a quiet spot compared to the popular ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Aiming for a sunset stroll last week at Pensacola Beach, we stopped at the Park East lot and headed for the dune walkover. Just before entering the boardwalk, my daughter noticed a wooden box mounted adjacent to it. It was the size and shape ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Introduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once common in the lower portions of the Pensacola Bay system. However, by 1970 they were all but gone. Closely associated with seagrass, especially turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
A few nights ago, my daughter and I walked the beach at sunset. She was heading back to college the next day, so we soaked in one last summer beach memory. As we walked, we chatted about the detritus in the wrack line—algae-covered driftwood, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Last week in the middle of that brutal stretch of extreme heat (temperatures in the upper 90’s, heat indexes reading 108-118), I walked out in our office garden to stretch my legs. An overhead irrigation sprayer was on for the parched ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Since 1986 the University of Florida IFAS LAKEWATCH program has used citizen scientists to monitor nutrients in Florida’s lakes and estuaries. Monitoring has been going on in the Pensacola Bay area since 2002. Water samples are collected ... READ MORE
Category: Water
As I begin close to the end of my career, I thought I would post summary articles on the projects I have been involved with as a Sea Grant Agent. We will begin with the diamondback terrapin project. For those who are not aware of this, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife