I’m not sure if you’ve ever stared at a plant for 15 minutes and tried to count and identify all the insects on it, but I can attest it’s not easy! That is exactly what I, and dozens of volunteers, did last Friday (August 23) as part of ... READ MORE
Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Roundworms differ from flatworms in that… well… they are round. You might recall from Part 1 of this series that flatworms were flat which helps with exchange of materials inside and out of the body. Flatworms were acoelomates – they ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
While 8-legged critters often spook people, my son has a soft spot for spiders. Years ago, he discovered one while in the shower, covered it with a cup to protect it from the threat of the drain, and released it safely outdoors. On a recent ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
People have a lot of strong feelings about snakes. Whether it be fear, alarm, hatred, or wonder, it’s rare someone doesn’t react at all to seeing a snake in front of them. I will say, though, that when one of our volunteers sent a photo ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census began in Georgia in 2019 with the goals of increased pollinator habitat, teaching the public the importance of insects, and providing useful data to researchers. 2024 is the first year for Florida to be ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, Wildlife
University of Florida football games are a lot of fun to watch in person. Being in The Swamp, yelling for the team, singing “I Won’t Back Down” with 88,500 other fans acapella; these are experiences every Floridian should have. But ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, WildlifePeople enjoy animals. Zoos and wildlife parks are popular tourist destinations and animal programs are popular on television. It is usually the larger predator animals that get our attention. Sharks, panthers, and bears are popular. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
In 2022 Escambia County Extension began the Snake Watch Project. The objective of this project was to log which snakes people encounter when they are out and about, where they encountered them, and what time of year. The purpose of this ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
It’s warm here in northwest Florida, which means our cold-blooded reptile friends are on the move. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen a snake at work, one at home, and received snake photos from my neighbors' and parents’ yards. A fear ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Years ago, we took a family canoe trip down the Suwannee River. It’s a gorgeous place to paddle, with cypress draping over the banks and crystal-clear springs feeding into the main channel. At one point, we heard a splash that sounded ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife