We have mentioned in past articles that cogongrass has reached the coastal areas of the Florida panhandle. This aggressive invasive plant was accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900s through the Port of Mobile. It was intentionally ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
In 2005 I was leading a field trip with high school students in a salt marsh on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola Beach. As we explored a brackish water creek, we came across a three-foot red mangrove tree, prop roots and all. To say we were ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Water quality continues to be one of the larger issues with the public concerning the health of our bay. Below are the 1st quarter results from monitoring projects Florida Sea Grant either oversees, or monitors. Lakewatch Lakewatch ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
I was having dinner with my family on a cool March evening when one said “I have not seen any Swallow-tailed Kites yet. We usually see them this time of year”. To which I replied, “I saw one today!” – and I had. It was March ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeThough this is titled late winter, it did not feel like winter on this walk. The air temperature was 75°F. There was a blanket of fog over the beach, and it felt slightly humid and sticky, but with a cooler feel than we have in summer. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeIt is March and spring is in the air. Since we were kids, we all knew that spring was the time of flowers, nests, and new birth. And now it is here. Our first experience with the season was the pollen. Many plants mass broadcast ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Beachcombing is a fun way to spend time on our local shorelines. While most people are interested in unusual shells or intact sand dollars, other fascinating organisms will wash up in the wrack line as well. One of my favorites is the unassuming ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
The Gulf of Mexico is a powerful force. If you’ve ever experienced a hurricane, tried to paddle a kayak against the waves, or even just tried to keep your balance at the wave break, you know this firsthand. All along the Gulf Coast, barrier ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesSix months ago, they were predicting a colder than normal winter. In January that seemed to be the case. We had multiple fronts with high winds and temperatures dropping into the 20s. But February has been different. As I type this, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeThe leatherback sea turtle is the largest of the five species that have been found in the northern Gulf of Mexico. With a carapace (top shell) length between 6-7 feet and weighing between 800-1000 pounds it is truly a magnificent creature. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife