At the annual Manasota Regional Envirothon held yesterday, 115 students on 23 teams representing seven Manatee and Sarasota County high schools competed at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey. The Envirothon is an outdoor environmental team competition ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Welcome to our "Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer" blog series, where we delve into the inspiring stories and impactful contributions of the passionate individuals who form the backbone of our gardening community. These dedicated volunteers bring ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Countless species of flora and fauna have been lost in what is now being labeled as the Anthropocene extinction event. Fortunately, two local species have not only escaped from the brink of extinction but have rebounded as humans have improved ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Wildlife
Wide-ranging, wacky, and most certainly wonderful, Florida is host to some of the most diverse wildlife in our country. The Wild Sarasota blog series and webinars cover wildlife native to Florida, focusing on species found right here in ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Florida Master Naturalist students participating in the 2024 Conservation Science course taught by Extension Agents Ken Gioeli and Andrea Lazzari are bioblitzing. This list is a living document and will be updated throughout January and February ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wildlife
The Plume Trade: When Killing was Fashionable The origins of the Plume Trade can be traced back to the 19th century and Victorian fashion, a style that included elaborate assortments of silk, ribbons, and exotic bird feathers on large, ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... Is it an egret or a heron? Well, biologically there isn't much of a difference. Taxonomically, egrets and herons are classified in the same Order and Family, meaning they are very similar. In fact, the ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
USDA NRCS ANNOUNCES CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNTIES TO FLORIDA LANDOWNERS Apply by February 20, 2024 Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices are encouraged ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Herons The likely mascot of your neighborhood pond, herons belong to the Family Ardeidae, of which there are around 70 different species of herons, egrets, and bitterns worldwide. Dive in to learn more about the herons of Florida, or navigate ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
One of the programs I do with Florida Sea Grant is Restoring a Healthy Estuary. There are four focus areas within this program: improving water quality, restoring habitat, managing invasive species, and enhancing wildlife. For those who ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife