We are fortunate to have several whale species that have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico including humpback whales, Rice whales, fin whales, sperm whales, sei whales, and orca whales. Recently, however, we have seen multiple reports of whale ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. We’re highlighting graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Congratulations to the graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Programs conducted in 2023 through UF/IFAS Extension offices on the Treasure Coast. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
A newly published study in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation describes the response to sea level rise by an endangered species only found in the Florida Keys. The silver rice rat moved to higher elevations at a greater ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Background Historically the Pensacola Bay System supported large salt marsh and oyster reef habitats in the northern portions, and lush meadows of seagrasses near the southern end, particularly in Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound. These ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
As I write this, we are in the middle of our 2023 Scallop Search, an event we do each year to assess whether the scallops in Pensacola Bay are trying to make a comeback on their own. Each year I am amazed at how popular this little mollusk ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Imagine you are accustomed to eating 2,000 calories per day. What if your diet was suddenly cut by 85% to only 300 calories per day? You could survive on 300 calories per day, but for how long? This is the issue facing the bleached corals ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Puerto Rico is famous for its bioluminescent bays, but did you know that we have the same organism creating bioluminescence right here in Florida? Each summer, the northern Indian River Lagoon attracts visitors at night for a special sight ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water, Wildlife
Everyone has noticed the intense weather that crossed the United States in recent years. Tornadoes are hitting communities throughout the Midwest, but are also hitting places like Seattle, southern California, and even recently Pensacola Beach. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources