Back in the day, pirates would scour the beaches for hidden treasure. On a recent trip out with a group of botanists and biologists, we combed the dunes of Perdido Key for a specific plant that hosts a rare bee species. While not gold doubloons, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Native Florida wildlife has adaptations and instincts that help them, literally, “weather the storm” during and after a hurricane. However, what is instinctual and normal for them may be unusual and concerning for us. Post-hurricane wildlife ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
It was built in the late 1930’s by the Works Progress Administration to help starving people survive the Depression. The idea was to create a state-run fish hatchery, insuring fish were healthy at every step from spawn to adult. These ... READ MORE
Category: , Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Or why average rainfall records do not fully relay the ups and downs of rainy season (nor dry season). As I sit writing this blog we are soaked in rain from a brush with Ian. This rainfall event and the past 10 days of rainy weather have ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, Water, WildlifeSIGN UP FOR USDA NRCS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) BY SEPTEMBER 30 Agricultural producers and landowners in Florida are encouraged to apply to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by September ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Happy Estuaries Week! Begun in 1988 to educate lawmakers and citizens about the importance of estuaries nationwide, the third week of September celebrates all things estuary. But what is an estuary, exactly? The most frequently cited ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
As many of you know, I do programs with snakes and receive a lot of calls about them. But in recent weeks I have seen an increase in the number of calls and the number of encounters inside of homes. Though most of the home invasions have ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Songbirds are sought after as pets for their beautiful songs, but researchers wanted to know if the color of their feathers is associated with their prevalence in the pet trade A new study shows that the brightest and most uniquely colored ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
One of the first science-related things we learn as children at school is that some animals, like birds and mammals, are warm-blooded, while others, such as amphibians, reptiles, and fish, are cold-blooded, also known as ectothermic. Cold-blooded ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
How do landscapes interact with Florida's ecosystems? How do you design landscapes to promote beneficials? Why is shade incredibly important in urban areas and how do we landscape in it? What resources are available for identification of plant ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife