Many who have snorkeled or dove in the Florida Keys have most likely encountered nurse sharks there – they are quite common. But here in the northern Gulf – though present – encounters are not as frequent. In the Keys you can don a ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, 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
Situation For decades resource managers and agencies have been interested in restoring seagrass in the Pensacola Bay system. Beginning in the mid-20th century seagrass habitat began to decline, in some locations over 80% were lost. This ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Florida’s geology is as varied as its plant and animal life. Here in the western Panhandle, we have extremely sandy soil along the coast and heartier loam, clay, and iron rock as you approach the northern border with Alabama. If you start ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
In Japanese, “Satori” means “awakening,” “understanding,” or “comprehension.” It is the perfect term for a program started just 10 years ago here in Pensacola. A nonprofit housed at the Pensacola Yacht Club, the mission of ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WaterSnails and slugs belong to one of the largest phyla of animals on the planet – the mollusks. Mollusks are known for their calcium carbonate shells and seashell collecting along the shoreline has been a popular hobby for centuries. There ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesAs far as familiarity goes – everyone knows about worms. As far as seeing them – these are rarely, if ever seen by visitors to the northern Gulf. Most know worms as creatures that live beneath the sand – out of sight and doing what ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
When I began working with terrapins 20 years ago, very few people in the Florida panhandle knew what they were – unless they had moved here from the Mid-Atlantic states. Since we initiated the Panhandle Terrapin Project in 2005 many more ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeMany of the creatures we have written about in this series to this point are ones that very few people have ever heard of. But that is not the case with jellyfish. Everyone knows about jellyfish – and for the most part, we do not like ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesEveryone has heard of sponges, and many know they grow in the ocean. But fewer are aware that sponges are actually animals. When we think of animals, we think of something that crawls around seeking food and laying eggs periodically. Sponges ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources