Category: Conservation

New Air Potato Beetle Species Release

by Tonya Ashworth
November 11, 2025

They are small but mighty. A new species of air potato beetle is being reared and released in Florida to wage war against the invasive air potato vine. First, a little background on the enemy. The air potato vine was introduced in Florida ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Tags: Air Potato Beetle, Air Potato Vine, Invasive Plant, Invasive Species

Florida Land Steward Update, November 7, 2025

by Chris Demers
November 7, 2025

2026 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WALL CALENDARS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! It's that time of the year! An annual Holiday tradition, the Florida Land Steward wall calendar features beautiful photography, our Florida Land Steward Landowner of the Year, ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: 2025 Calendar, Award, Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Carbon, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southern Pine Beetle, Tree Farm, Wildlife

Gulf Coast Catch and Cook November: Stone Crab

by Dr. Megan Moore
November 6, 2025

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
Tags: Catch And Cook, Cook, Crab, Fishing, Florida Sea Grant, Harvest, Marine, Recreational Fishing, Stone Crab, UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office

What’s New on Ask IFAS: Agricultural Education and Communication (Sept.–Oct.)

by Amanda Quintos
November 4, 2025

Developing Successful Extension Tree Stewardship Programs Stephanie Cadaval, Michael Andreu, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, and Paul Monaghan. This publication is for Extension agents and the stakeholders they partner with in urban forestry, parks ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Farm Management, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Department Of Agricultural Education And Communication, Engagement, Farmers, IoT4Ag, Leadership, Pollinator-friendly Roadsides, Pollinators, Qualitative Research, Technology, Tree Stewardship

Reassessing Meatless Monday: A Scientific Perspective on the Role of Meat in Sustainable Diets

by Bridget Stice
November 3, 2025

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk Meatless Monday campaigns urge the public to skip meat one day a week to "improve health and protect the planet". While reducing excessive consumption of any food can be beneficial, blanket campaigns ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Health & Nutrition, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: Agriculture, Beef, Bstice, Featured, Livestock, Meat, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkco, SFBF, Sustainability

Golden oyster mushrooms cultivated, sold in Florida: Scientist urges caution

by Lourdes Mederos
November 3, 2025

The golden oyster mushroom, with bright yellow pillowy caps, are a popular buy that are sold in grow-your-own kits as well as standard grocery stores, farmer and gourmet markets. A University of Florida researcher warns it is quietly invading ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Citizen Science, Culinary Connoisseurs, Culinary Mushroom Enthusiasts, Cultivating, Disrupt Ecosystems, Ecosystems, Farmer Market, Fungal Communities, Fungal Diseases, Golden Oyster Mushrooms, Gourmet Market, Grocery Stores, Grow-your-own Kits, Human Activities, Inaturalist, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive, Invasive Species, Michelle Jusino, Mushroom Observer, News, Research, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatic Sciences, Transporting, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

Florida Land Steward Update, October 31, 2025

by Chris Demers
October 31, 2025

THE FALL-WINTER 2025 ISSUE OF THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE In this issue: European Union Deforestation Regulation: What Landowners Need to Know, Florida Association of Consulting Foresters Corner: Longleaf ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Award, Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Carbon, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southern Pine Beetle, Wildlife

The Halloween Pennant: A Festive Dragonfly and Five Plants to Attract More Like It

by Bonnie Wells
October 30, 2025

When you think of Halloween, you might picture bats swooping through the twilight or the rustle of leaves beneath a moonlit sky as an owl perches high in the trees, ready to take flight. But there’s another winged creature that fits the ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Biodiversity, Dragonflies, Entomology, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources

Upcoming Cold Temperatures Signals Manatee Season is Near!

by Brittany Hall-Scharf
October 29, 2025

As cooler weather begins to move into Florida this weekend, we’re once again reminded that the time when the Florida manatee (also known as the West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris) seeks warm-water refuge is upon us. These ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Chassahowitzka, Cold Events, Florida Sea Grant, Manatees, Weeki Wachee

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