I have the Merlin Bird ID mobile app on my phone. It comes in handy when I hear a bird, but I am not sure what it is. The app has a feature where you can record sound, and it compares the sound to its database of bird calls. Then, it shows you ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
A Valentine You Can Send to Nature! I'm blogging this February 14th to report that recently I underwent an actual bona fide 180 on one of my opinions! This was an almost entirely new experience for me because, like most people, I'm right ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Wildlife
WINTER-SPRING ISSUE OF QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE In this issue: Congratulations Rebecca and Manny Mendoza: 2025 Florida Land Steward Landowners of the Year, Ginger Feagle to Lead Florida Tree Farm Program, David ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
According to Conservation International, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots worldwide. These are defined as areas with “at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
We hear a lot about Avian Influenza, or H5N1, and the price of eggs in the news recently. That got me thinking, should we be worried about bird flu here in the Keys? As it turns out, we should. Although Florida Fish and Wildlife has not ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
A year ago, I was attending the Chocolate Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Overwhelmed by the crowd, I took a short walk into the "lowlands" of the garden—an area I rarely explore unless searching for the resident crocodile. But ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
APPLY FOR USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS Apply by March 7, 2025 If you are interested in protecting the integrity of your property, consider a conservation easement through the U.S. Department of Agriculture ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. En un estudio pionero, científicos de University of Florida analizaron estadísticamente grandes cantidades de datos ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
If you’re a regular reader, you probably know this blog started as a way to address the many emails and texts I receive, asking, “What IS this?” On a semi-regular basis, these questions also come from professional colleagues. All of ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
In a groundbreaking study, University of Florida scientists statistically analyzed large amounts of data collected by Burmese python contractors, revealing critical insights about how to most efficiently remove the reptiles. Researchers ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife