Category: Natural Resources

A person adjusting a garden sprinkler on a green lawn, with water spray visible.

UF study shows about 40% of residents don’t know they must follow irrigation restrictions

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

About 22 million people already live in Florida, and it’s expected to grow to 33 million by 2070. Those who irrigate lawns tap into the same water, much of it from the Floridan aquifer. Many cities and counties, and all water management ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Agricultural Education And Communication, Behavior, Cities, Compliance, Counties, Floridan Aquifer, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Homeowners, Homeowners Associations, Irrigation, John Diaz, Laura Warner, Mandatory, Residential Irrigation, Restrictions, Utilities, Voluntary, Water, Water Management Districts
Barn owls in a box at the Everglades Research and Education Center open house and field tours. Photo taken 11-08-19.

Barn owl conservation efforts in South Florida — a soaring success for species, growers, environment

by Kristie Popa
February 24, 2021

Rodents are responsible for millions of dollars in damage to crops and farm equipment each year. Through the University of Florida Barn Owl Project in the Everglades Agricultural Area, a beneficial relationship has quietly thrived for ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Archive, Barn Owls, Everglades Agriculture Area, Plant Pathology, Richard Raid, UF IFAS Everglades Research And Education Center
Close-up of a broad-leaved plant with light-colored flower clusters near a road.

Pollinators in peril: Floridians interested in helping, but not enough to act

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Across the Sunshine State, some Floridians are eyeing roadsides as potential havens for pollinators. But there’s a catch – while many residents are fond of bees, butterflies and other beneficial bugs, a new University of Florida study shows ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation
Tags: Agricultural Education And Communication, Bees, Beneficial Bugs, Butterflies, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Ecosystems, Florida Museum Of Natural History, Floridians, Food, Habitats, Havens, Jaret Daniels, Knowledge, Laura Warner, Pollinator Advocates, Pollinator Gardens, Pollinators, Population, Preservation, Roadside Pollinators, Roadsides, Survey
Diver underwater in a dark wetsuit holding a measuring tool.

Taking the sponge plunge to enhance an important species in the Gulf

by Brad Buck
March 26, 2026

On a recent overcast day, University of Florida experts dove into the Gulf, hoping to increase sponge abundance in an area off Hernando Beach. It’s not a deep dive – about 10 feet. But the hard bottom is key: It’s where sponges live ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Brittany Scharf, Don Behringer, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Enhancement, Hernando Beach, Hernando County, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Sponges, Tarpon Springs
A sprinkler watering a lawn with a house in the background.

UF study: About half of Florida residents are not aware of local water restrictions

by Brad Buck
March 19, 2026

Half of Florida residents don’t know about their local water restrictions, but those who are aware can be persuaded to abide by them, new University of Florida research shows. Water restrictions can be set by cities, counties and the state’s ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Water
Tags: Agricultural Education And Communication, Intention, Irrigation, Knowledge, Laura Warner, Lawns, Restrictions, Water, Yards
Palm trees blowing in strong wind with a blurred ocean background.

A year after Ian, Southwest Florida recovering with help of UF/IFAS Extension

by Brad Buck
March 27, 2026

In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, UF/IFAS Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery. Left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain: damaged crops, ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Agriculture, Damage, David Outerbridge, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Hurricane Ian, Lessons, Lindsey Wiggins, Livestock, Nurseries, One-year Anniversary, Ralph Mitchell, Resilience, Resilient Working Waterfronts, UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County, UF/IFAS Extension Lee County

Through A Land Remembered, state’s fourth graders discover harsh conditions of pioneer life in Florida

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Imagine 19th century Florida: sweltering heat with no air conditioning, swarms of mosquitoes, nights lit only by campfires and the harsh reality that any meat on your plate had to be hunted and killed by you. These gritty details aren’t ... READ MORE

Category: Curriculum, UF/IFAS, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: A Land Remembered, Agriculture, Bridget Stice, English & Language Arts, Fourth-grade Students, Historical Novel, Pioneers, Social Studies And Science Learning Standards., Spook Hill Elementary School, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Close-up of a dusty car window on a white vehicle.

The unwelcome dust that won’t quit: Pollen season hits with full force

by Brad Buck
May 6, 2026

Brace yourselves – the sneezing, the itchy eyes, the yellow-dust-on-every-surface season is here. And for most of you, it might mean more trips to the car wash. Pollen season in Florida, which peaks from January to June, is in full bloom. ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes
Tags: Allergies, Alyssa Vinson, Car Wash, Catkin, Clothes, Gardening, Genetic Diversity, Laurel Oaks, Lorna Bravo, Masks, Plants, Pollen, Pollinator Friendly Plants, Shannon Carnevale, Theresa Badurek, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Wind-pollinated, Yellow Powder

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