Tag: Invasive species

Weekly “WHO is it?”: Sheila Dunning

by Carrie Stevenson
March 5, 2025

I’ve only dedicated one of these blogs to an individual before, after the passing of Navarre’s beloved Kayak Dave. But after losing a friend and mentor earlier this week, I knew it was time for another personal tribute. Sheila Dunning ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources
Tags: Estuaries, Flowers, Habitat Conservation, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Shrubs, Trees, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife, Youth Science Lessons

Weekly “What is it?”: Venetian Crabs

by Carrie Stevenson
December 11, 2024

If you live near or visit the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coasts, odds are you’re a fan of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Fried or steamed legs and claws, crabcakes, entire softshell crabs—that sweet crab meet is delicious ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Coastal Wildlife, Edibles, Habitat Conservation, Invasive Species, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Roman Pines

by Carrie Stevenson
December 4, 2024

They call Rome the “Eternal City.” It’s been around as long as anyone can remember, bearing witness to most of recorded human history. As the seat of the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and the conquerors of Western civilization, ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Insects, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Trees, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Tung Oil Tree

by Carrie Stevenson
July 17, 2024

There have been a lot of things brought into and out of the deep South that seemed like a good idea at the time. From kudzu and mullet haircuts to deep-fried Twinkies and jorts, we should probably think twice about a few trends. One such ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: Flowers, Food Safety, Invasive Species, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Oyster drill

by Carrie Stevenson
June 12, 2024

Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Barrier Islands, Coastal Wildlife, Estuaries, Invasive Species, Pensacola Bay, Weekly What Is It

Now is the Time to Search for Invasive Cogongrass

by Rick O'Connor
April 18, 2024

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is one of the most noxious weeds in the U.S. and has been a problem in the agricultural and timberland for decades. In more recent years it has been found on our barrier islands. Stands of cogongrass on the ... READ MORE

Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: Cogongrass, Florida Sea Grant, Invasive Species

It’s Time to Search for Invasive Cogongrass

by Rick O'Connor
April 8, 2024

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
Tags: Barrier Islands, Florida Sea Grant, Invasive Species

Weekly “What is it?”: Japanese climbing fern

by Carrie Stevenson
January 17, 2024

Walking through the forest, Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) might catch your eye. The fronds are delicate and almost lacy in shape, winding their way along the stems of shrubs and trunks of trees. Like most vines, they rely on ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: Invasive Species, Weekly What Is It

It’s October and That Means it’s Time for Halloweed

by Rick O'Connor
September 28, 2023

It’s October and That Means it’s Time for Halloweed What is Halloweed? It’s a national program where volunteers gather at a public space to help remove invasive weeds. In many cases they target one specific species. ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: Beach Vitex, Florida Sea Grant, Halloweed, Invasive Species

Meet the New Invasive Species on the Barrier Islands; Cogongrass

by Rick O'Connor
September 22, 2023

Miami is ground zero for invasive species in this state. But the Florida panhandle is no stranger to them. Where they are dealing with Burmese pythons, melaleuca, and who knows how many different species of lizards – we deal with Chinese ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: Cogongrass, Florida Sea Grant, Invasive Species

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