Category: Natural Resources

Suncoast Florida Drought Update: What It Means for Your Landscape, Water Supply, and Fire Risk

by Forest Hecker
June 4, 2026

How Bad Is the Current Drought? Since the end of our rainy season in early fall, rainfall totals across west-central Florida have dropped dramatically. Local meteorologists report this has been one of the driest fall–winter periods in over ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Drought, Fire, Landscape, Landscaping, Pgm_HortRes, Pgm_Water
A wide view of the ocean at sunset shows the sun low on the horizon casting warm orange light across the sky. Gentle waves ripple across the water, reflecting shades of gold and blue. A small boat appears as a silhouette near the center of the horizon, with another faint vessel visible farther to the left.

Self-Compassion Practices: Be Kind to Yourself

by Angelika Keene
June 4, 2026

Everywhere we turn, social media, influencers, and even health professionals are offering endless advice on how to practice self‑care. Most of it centers on outward habits like getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active. These routines ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Community Volunteers, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Professional Development, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life
Tags: Balance Not Perfection, Be Kind To Yourself, Growth Mindset, Healthy Mindset, Mental Health Matters, Resilience, Self Compassion, Stress Management, Wellbeing Journey
Manos con guantes en un laboratorio manipulando plántulas de hojas verdes en bandejas de cultivo, durante un proceso de investigación agrícola o cultivo controlado en ambiente estéril.

Desde los campos hasta la agricultura espacial, una nueva herramienta detecta el estrés hídrico en los cultivos antes de que sea visible

by Luz Bahder
June 4, 2026

Creado por Jamie Groh, especialista en relaciones públicas para UF/IFAS. Los científicos ahora pueden detectar el estrés hídrico en las plantas días antes de que aparezcan signos visibles, lo que permite actuar con mayor rapidez para ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Cámara Hiperespectral, Espacio, Español, Estrés Hídrico, NASA, Sequia, Spanish
Caimán de anteojos (Caiman crocodilus) de cuerpo alargado y escamoso, posado sobre un tronco de madera en un entorno natural, con la cola extendida hacia atrás y la cabeza en reposo mirando hacia la izquierda.

El caimán de anteojos invasor en Florida plantea riesgos potenciales para la restauración de los Everglades

by Luz Bahder
June 4, 2026

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados Investigadores de UF recopilaron de manera exhaustiva la información existente sobre el ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: áreas Protegidas, Babilla, Caiman, Caiman Crocodilus, Caiman De Anteojos, Centro De Investigacion Y Educacion De UF/IFAS En Fort Lauderdale, CERP, Ecosistema, Español, Especie Invasora, Estudios Genéticos, Everglades, Frontiers Journal Of Amphibian And Reptile Science, Guajipal, Herramientas De ADN Ambiental, Humedales, Impactos Sobre La Fauna Nativa, IveGot1, IVEGOT1 Mobile App, Manejo De Vida Silvestre, Marismas, Mascotas Exóticas, Monitoreo, Patrones De Movimiento, Plan Integral De Restauracion De Los Everglades, Protección Contra Inundaciones, Reportes Del Publico, Restauración De Los Everglades, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Spanish, The Croc Docs, UF Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, University Of Florida, Vida Silvestre
A spectacled caiman juvenile. UF/IFAS Photo by Jemeema Carrigan

Invasive caiman may pose new challenges for Everglades restoration

by Lourdes Mederos
June 4, 2026

UF researchers pieced together the first comprehensive review of the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile. Introduced into South Florida more than 45 years ago, researchers have suspected caimans compete ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Colombia, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Crocodilians, EDDMaps, Environmental DNA Tools, Exotic Pet Trade, Guayana, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, Native Wildlife, News, Research, South Florida, Spectacled Caiman, The Croc Docs, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wetland
An image of a group of people standing together in front of a large oak tree after a class.

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements
June 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers

Managing Unwanted Plants; CEU Class, Chipley 6/11/26

by Mark Mauldin
June 3, 2026

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, UF/IFAS Extension Washington County will host Managing Unwanted Plants in Rights of Way and Aquatic Sites. The class has been approved for a total of 4 FL Pesticide Applicator CEUs. The CEUs may be used for license ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aquatic, Aquatic Training, Aquatic Weeds, CEU, Herbicide, Panhandle Agriculture, Pest Management, Pesticide Training, Right-of-Way, SV Ag Update

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