Category: Conservation

Donation to UF forest entomology lab will expand international program

by Suzette Cook
June 6, 2026

On an early spring evening a handful of entomology scientists and student researchers gathered in the forest and stood around a cake decorated with a beetle drawing. “Thank you for your support,” University of Florida Forest Entomology ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Austin Cary Forest, Forest Entomology, Forest Health, Forest Management, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS School Of Forest

Florida Land Steward Update, June 5, 2026

by Chris Demers
June 5, 2026

2026 USDA FOREST SERVICE LONGLEAF CONE REPORT RELEASED The latest USDA Forest Service Longleaf Pine Cone Report shows a promising outlook for 2026. Based on green cone counts this spring, the predicted regional longleaf cone crop for this ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Florida Wildlife Corridor, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm
Caimán de anteojos (Caiman crocodilus) de cuerpo alargado y escamoso, posado sobre un tronco de madera en un entorno natural, con la cola extendida hacia atrás y la cabeza en reposo mirando hacia la izquierda.

El caimán de anteojos invasor en Florida plantea riesgos potenciales para la restauración de los Everglades

by Luz Bahder
June 4, 2026

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados Investigadores de UF recopilaron de manera exhaustiva la información existente sobre el ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: áreas Protegidas, Babilla, Caiman, Caiman Crocodilus, Caiman De Anteojos, Centro De Investigacion Y Educacion De UF/IFAS En Fort Lauderdale, CERP, Ecosistema, Español, Especie Invasora, Estudios Genéticos, Everglades, Frontiers Journal Of Amphibian And Reptile Science, Guajipal, Herramientas De ADN Ambiental, Humedales, Impactos Sobre La Fauna Nativa, IveGot1, IVEGOT1 Mobile App, Manejo De Vida Silvestre, Marismas, Mascotas Exóticas, Monitoreo, Patrones De Movimiento, Plan Integral De Restauracion De Los Everglades, Protección Contra Inundaciones, Reportes Del Publico, Restauración De Los Everglades, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Spanish, The Croc Docs, UF Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, University Of Florida, Vida Silvestre
A spectacled caiman juvenile. UF/IFAS Photo by Jemeema Carrigan

Invasive caiman may pose new challenges for Everglades restoration

by Lourdes Mederos
June 4, 2026

UF researchers pieced together the first comprehensive review of the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile. Introduced into South Florida more than 45 years ago, researchers have suspected caimans compete ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Colombia, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Crocodilians, EDDMaps, Environmental DNA Tools, Español, Exotic Pet Trade, Guayana, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, Native Wildlife, News, Research, South Florida, Spectacled Caiman, The Croc Docs, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wetland
An image of a group of people standing together in front of a large oak tree after a class.

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements
June 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers
Lake County MGVs

FIELD TRIP: Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, FL

by Maria Quirico
May 31, 2026

Fourteen Master Gardener Volunteers (and family) toured Nehrling Gardens in May 2026. Theresa Schretzmann-Myers (Board of Directors Vice President) was our excellent tour guide. Ms. Theresa fed us history, facts, stories, and anecdotes in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attract Wildlife, Botanical Garden, Conservation, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Plants, Sustainability
Alarm clock on a beach that reads SUMMER TIME

Summer Time Blues: Turning Free Time into Life Skills Gold

by Gayle Whitworth
May 29, 2026

Summer’s long, bright days are a perfect canvas for curiosity—especially when your kids have no school and only the sky to keep them company. Rather than waiting for the next organized camp or program, you can turn everyday moments into ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Money Matters, Relationships & Family
Tags: 4-H, Learning, Life Skills, Summer, Youth

Florida Land Steward Update, May 29, 2026

by Chris Demers
May 29, 2026

THE RAIN RETURNS! SO DID HURRICANE SEASON. TIME TO PREPARE. A big shoutout to the return of rain! Also great to see some of the burn bans finally lifting. Keep it coming. Maybe we can get some of that much needed growing season burning in soon. Hurricane ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, Payment For Ecosystem Services, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm

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