Monarch butterflies have been on earth for more than 10 million years. Sadly, the monarch butterfly numbers have substantially dropped over the last two decades. The monarch is the only butterfly species in the world to undertake a long-distance ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Wildlife in the Environment "DAD! A BUMBLEBEE!” My son yelled excitingly the other day. Of course, it was a dragonfly, but to my two-year-old son, all flying insects are bumblebees. Five minutes later we found ourselves lifting logs, digging ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Among the sandy dunes of northeast Florida, there’s a plant quietly replicating itself. It outcompetes our native beach species slowly altering the ecology. Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii) or sometimes called Chandelier plant, ... READ MORE
Category: Clubs & Volunteers, Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Following a major storm, our backyards, and communities can be quickly changed. Homes and buildings may be damaged or destroyed. Power lines will be down and trees broken and torn. In the wake such change people, and entire neighborhoods may ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Home Landscapes
The giant swallowtail butterfly's caterpillars are unmistakable. They look like bird droppings. These caterpillars feed on citrus plants hence the nickname "orange dog." The caterpillar below is feeding on Hercules club. References Florida ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
Natural resource management has been my area of expertise at the UF/IFAS Extension St Lucie County. Invasive plant management has been a persistent issue needing my attention. Fortunately for Floridians, UF/IFAS research and extension faculty ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS ExtensionFollowing a hurricane or other strong storm you may need to assess structural damage to property caused by a storm. You may also want to calculate the financial loss of damage to trees and other landscaping. The value of damaged trees can be ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes
Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) season is opening this Friday May 1-31st and again August 1st- October 31st in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters here in Florida (regulations here). I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
While the beaches in Pinellas County are gaining a lot of press, County Parks and Preserves have remained open for recreational exercise, with limited amenities, during the duration of the “Safer at Home” County Order . “Under the Governor’s ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
With many Floridians following the Governor’s safer at home order, homeowners have gotten to know their yard and neighborhood landscaping extremely well! One activity you can participate in while on your walks is the removal of invasive ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life