Category: Conservation

Seed Balls

Let Plant Biology be the Bomb

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
October 23, 2026

By MGV Mike Archer     Kids and wildflowers both use dirt to grow. Maybe that’s why they like it. Playing in dirt can ease stress and boost the immune system. Better still, making seed bombs turns playtime into a hands-on lesson on the ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Kid's Project, Seed Balls, Seed Bombs, Wildflower Dispersal
Florida ranch

Florida Land Steward Update, October 23, 2026

by Chris Demers
October 23, 2026

Florida Agricultural Producers and Forest Landowners Impacted by Hurricane Isaias Offered an Extended Deadline for USDA Conservation Programs Landowners in impacted counties can apply by November 16, 2026. Deadline for all others is October ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Award, Christmas Trees, Drought, Florida Land Steward Program, Hurricane Recovery, Landowner Assistance, NRCS, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm

Weekly “What is it?” Tailgate Trivia Edition: The Bulls

by Carrie Stevenson
October 21, 2026

When an American cowboy comes to mind, most of us envision the plains of Texas. But in reality, Florida is also a huge cattle state, and has a 500-year ranching tradition. Florida—especially the central counties of Okeechobee, Highlands, ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Livestock, Natural Resources, Recreation, Wildlife
Tags: Beef Cattle, Bull, Football, Habitat Conservation, Livestock, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife
Four people plant seedlings on a sandy, forested slope lined with orange markers and black irrigation tubing.

UF Native Plant Nursery, forest service outplant 100 endangered flowers

by Suzette Cook
October 21, 2026

Story and Photos by Gage LaPierre/UF Native Plant Nursery Project manager After months of growing and preparing, our little green recruits have officially made it into the field! The UF/IFAS Native Plant Nursery Project recently teamed ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources
Tags: Forest Management, Native Plants, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Native Plant Nursery
A native landscape

Fall Native Planting: What to Plant Now in Central Florida

by Tia Saracino
October 20, 2026

As Florida's summer heat begins to fade, fall offers one of the best opportunities to add native plants to your landscape. Cooler temperatures, lower evaporation rates, and seasonal rainfall help plants establish strong root systems before ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Butterfly, Central Florida, Fall Gardening, Native Plants
HEADER_OaklandNaturePreserve

FIELD TRIP: Oakland Nature Preserve

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
October 15, 2026

Written by MGV Cathy Keller October 14, 2026 was a gorgeous fall day for 6 MGVs, 1 MGV Apprentice and 3 guests  to enjoy our field trip. The Oakland Nature Preserve (ONP) Director, Nicole O’Brien was our knowledgeable guide. The young ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation Area, Contrioled Burns, Florida Native Plants, Lake Apopka, Nicole O’Brien, Oakland Nature Preserve, Restoration Area
HEADER_SpanishMoss

Spanish Moss: Curse or Blessing?

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
October 15, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley After a recent week of wind and rain, I found myself pushing the wheelbarrow around the yard, picking up Spanish Moss—a frequent chore when you live on a lake surrounded by cypress and oak trees. It’s not ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: Graybeard, Old Man's Beard, Spanish Moss, Tillandsia Usneoides

NCBS Intern Report: Drivers on Seagrass Physiology — Maya Palacios

by Emily Colson
October 14, 2026

Written by Maya Palacios, 2026 Undergraduate Summer Intern Introduction Spending my summer in seagrass meadows was eventful, but I'm endlessly grateful that I had the opportunity to intern with Dr. Robbie Lamb and his PhD student, Carter ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, , Water
Tags: Coastal Habitat, Coastal Systems, NCBS Interns, Research, Restoration, Seagrass
Redfish getting reeled in.

2026 National Seafood Month Celebration Event in Sarasota County

by Amber Daniels
October 13, 2026

National Seafood Month October is National Seafood Month, and here in Sarasota County, we invite you to celebrate with us this Saturday, October 17th, at the 7th Annual Alligator Creek “Creekfest”! This event is free to the community ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Conservation, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Health, National Seafood Month, Nutrition, Pgm_FCS, Pgm_Marine, Sustainability, Water

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