Category: Conservation

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

UF/IFAS Livestock Working Group Hosts Environmental Lands Program on Kissimmee River

by lbutler
October 29, 2025

On October 15th, members of South Florida Beef Forages Program (a working group of Livestock UF/IFAS Extension Agents) hosted an Environmental Lands Management Program on the shores of the Kissimmee River. The purpose of the program was to educate ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Livestock, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Floridaranches, Highlands County, Kissmmeeriver, Landmanagement, Livestock, Okeechobee, SFBF

Nov. 5: UF’s palm tree team brings science, solutions to South Florida at Palm Short Course in Davie and online

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2025

Florida’s palm trees don’t just define the Sunshine State’s skylines. They are a cornerstone of the state’s environment and economy. Yet, pests, diseases and nutrient issues can make it tough to keep the many varieties healthy. To ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Crops, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arborists, Conservation, Entomology And Nematology, Environmental Horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Growers, Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Mica McMillan, News, Nutrients, Palm, Palm Disease, Palm Tree Short Course, Property Managers, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida

Nov. 3 Photo Opportunity: Miami-Dade youth use school holiday to reel in sea learning with Florida Sea Grant

by Lourdes Mederos
October 27, 2025

What: Dozens of students from TERRA Environmental Research Institute and the Mahogany Youth Corporation will spend a day offshore learning about reef fisheries and responsible angling with Florida Sea Grant. Aboard the 60-foot vessel, “Reward ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: Ana Zangroniz, Conservation, Fishing, Florida Friendly Angler, Florida Sea Grant, Marine Conservation, Media Alert, Michael Sipos, Natural Resource, Natural Resource Conservation, Ocean Reef Stewardship

Florida Land Steward Update, October 24, 2025

by Chris Demers
October 24, 2025

FLORIDA WORKING FORESTS WEEK COMING UP OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1 Florida Working Forest Week is a statewide opportunity to highlight all the great things that working forests provide. From water to wildlife habitat and wood products to carbon ... 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, Forestry, Hurricane Preparation, Invasive Species, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southern Pine Beetle, Timber, Tree Farm, Wildlife

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