Category: Natural Resources

It May Be a Little Pushy – But It Only Wants to Help

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 12, 2026

Written by MGV Linda Knight While visiting the Discovery Gardens Rose Garden, I noticed a Corky-Stemmed Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) had pushed its tiny, pale yellow-green flower to the top of the perfectly trimmed Dwarf Yaupon ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Corky-Stemmed Passiflower, Florida Host Plant, Gulf Frittilary Butterfly, Julia Butterfly, Passiflora Suberosa, Zebra Longwing Butterfly

A Bluebird on Your Shoulder

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 11, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attracting Bluebirds, Bird Baths, Eastern Bluebirds, Nest Building

How Much Water Can a Rain Barrel Really Save You in Florida?

by Lorna Bravo
September 11, 2026

One good South Florida downpour can fill a 55-gallon rain barrel from just a small slice of your roof. Rain barrels are an easy, inexpensive way to catch that "free" water and use it on your yard — trimming your irrigation bill and keeping ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life

¿Por qué convertirse en un arbolista puede ayudar?

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
September 11, 2026

Si trabajas en la industria verde, probablemente ya tienes experiencia con plantas, paisajismo, poda y mantenimiento de árboles. Pero ¿alguna vez has pensado en llevar tus conocimientos sobre los árboles al siguiente nivel? Convertirse ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Arborist, Español, Professional Development, Trees

Chasing the Champion Tree

by Henry Mayer
September 11, 2026

Have you ever seen an enormous old tree and wondered if it might be one of the largest of its species in Florida? This is what happened to me when I saw the huge black olive tree outside our office in Homestead. The tree could be 70-80 years ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension

Field Guide Face-Off Part 2: Great Egret vs Great White Heron

by Bridget Gerovac
September 11, 2026

Welcome to another installment of Field Guide Face-Off, a series I created to compare some of Florida's most commonly confused species and provide ways to tell them apart. This time were jumping right in and exploring another bird pair: Great ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Birding, Conservation, Extension, Identification, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife

Are Wildlife Living in Stormwater Sewers?

by Rick O'Connor
September 11, 2026

A recent study was published by a team from the University of Florida documenting wildlife using underground stormwater sewer lines for both travel and roosting areas. These results suggest that wildlife are adapting to the heavily influenced ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Urban Wildlife

Florida Land Steward Update, September 11, 2026

by Chris Demers
September 11, 2026

APPLY FOR THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM Apply by October 9, 2026 Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program through October 9. The program ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Cogongrass, Drought, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Landowner Academy, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Landowner Assistance, Loblolly Pine, NRCS, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southeast Silviculture Library, Southern Pine Beetle, Tree Farm

Could AI Help Find Diesel Contamination in Soil After a Hurricane?

by Mike Loizzo
September 10, 2026

The aftermath of a hurricane or major storm is easy to see in an agricultural or coastal region. The physical damage includes flooded roads and buildings, downed trees and disrupted infrastructure. However, some of the biggest environmental ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Brierra Mack, Diesel Contamination, Disaster Recovery, Environmental Emergency Response, Hurricane, Nikos Tziolas, Soil Science, Soil Science Artificial Intelligence, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

New data site expands research of sustainable grazing lands in Florida

by Suzette Cook
September 10, 2026

On a blistering August morning, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences Associate Research Scientist and lead of the UF/IFAS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) project Dr. Rosvel Bracho pours ice cold water over ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: College Of Agricultural And Life Sciences, Conservation Easements, Cow And Cattle, Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Grass Lands, Landowner Assistance, Natural Resource Conservation, Prescribed Fires, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Silvopasture

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