Communications & Outreach Working Group: Florida Bleaching Summary, September 2025 OVERVIEW Corals rely on microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues, give corals their color, and supply up ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
Global seaweed production is currently at an all time high (World Bank, 2023; FAO, 2024). Almost all of that production occurs in Asia. The small amount that does occur in the US is restricted to cold water species, like the kelps of New England ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
In 2025 Florida Sea Grant trained 100 residents from Escambia and Santa Rosa County to survey for nesting horseshoe crabs in the Pensacola Bay area. Of those 21 (21%) participated in at least one survey. The objective of this project is ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Mangroves are among the most abundant and important plant species growing along Florida’s extensive coastline and associated estuaries. The three mangrove species found in Florida are the red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia germinans) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease,![a digital meat thermometer reads 165.3 degrees fahrenheit while checking chicken on a barbecue grill. [credit: uf/ifas, tyle jones; edit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2024/07/2017_FCS_foodsafetyGrillingThermometer01UPDATE165F_ifasJonesTyler_CROP1650x470.jpg)
Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Work & Life![a group of young adults sits at a table in a restaurant/bar, with "brewing ideas" pint glasses, sharing conversation. [credit: unsplash.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/11/2025_Waste_brewideasGroupAtBar_unsplashSergeyTarasov_EDITicon1650x470TINY.png)
Cheers to "Brewing Ideas with UF/IFAS"! We launched this innovative series last month, to bring together community members and local experts for an evening of open discussion on relevant environmental solutions. The goals were simple: make ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water, Wildlife
Formed at the edge of freshwater and salt, dense forest and open water, scrubby dune and open marsh, the diversity along and within coastal dune lakes is tremendous. Coastal dune lakes are shallow, irregularly shaped, permanent bodies of ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Thoughts from Operation TRAP’s UF Fall 2025 Undergraduate Gulf Scholar: Cameron Sargent When I joined Operation TRAP (Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves) this fall, I expected to learn about environmental conservation. What I didn’t ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
When you think of self-defense in the natural world, it’s normal to lean towards the animal kingdom. Between their intimidating teeth, claws, horns, and venom, animals can hold their own in a physical battle for dominance or survival. But ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
The featured Gulf Coast Catch and cook species for November 2025 is the Stone Crab! Stone Crabs are fun to catch and delicious to eat! November is the perfect time to catch Stone Crabs in the Gulf as the season is newly opened and the weather ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife