Category: Community Volunteers

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: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Work & Life

Engaging Youth with Gardening and Life Lessons at R.C. Bannerman Learning Center

by Wayne Hobbs
September 10, 2026

What started as an unused tennis court is now an thriving garden oasis in the middle of Green Cove Springs, Florida thanks to the dedication of the Master Gardener Volunteers with the University of Florida/IFAS Clay County Extension along with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Herb Garden, Horticulture, Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, Youth As Scientists

¿Ha oído hablar del avispón de patas amarillas? Lo que los propietarios de viviendas en Florida deben saber

by Sara MacDonald
September 9, 2026

Si disfruta pasar tiempo en su jardín, probablemente ha visto una buena cantidad de abejas, avispas y avispones. Pero ¿qué haría si encontrara un insecto que pareciera un avispón de patas amarillas? El avispón de patas amarillas (Vespa ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Invasive, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, UFIFASEnEspañol

Pollinators keep a later calendar in human-modified landscapes — A UF study explains the phenomenon

by Lourdes Mederos
September 9, 2026

Human development may be changing more than where pollinators live — it may also be changing when they are active. University of Florida researchers at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) found that pollinator ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Forests, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Citizen Science, Conservation, Ecology, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Human Development, Inaturalist, Nature, Pollinators, UF-IFAS

Piense antes de fumigar: Cómo usar el Manejo Integrado de Plagas en su paisaje de Florida

by Sara MacDonald
September 4, 2026

¿Vio un insecto en su planta? No lo fumigue todavía. Encontrar un insecto en su planta favorita puede ser preocupante. Quizás se pregunte: “¿Está dañando mi planta?” o “¿Cómo puedo eliminarlo?”. Antes de buscar un pesticida, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: (MGV), Español, Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

A New 4-H Year Begins in Wakulla

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
August 30, 2026

At the Wakulla 4-H Open House, the new club year did not begin with a speech. It began with music, conversation, curious questions and the unmistakable energy of young people discovering what they might try next. On Saturday, Aug. 29, close ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Curriculum, Events, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H Clubs, 4-H Youth Development, Volunteers

A Full-Circle Moment: From Curious Kid to Extension Agent

by morganyoder
August 27, 2026

Did you know that youth who participate in organized group activities often develop a stronger sense of belonging, greater confidence, and leadership skills that can positively influence their future? I can personally attest to that. Recently, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #lifestyles, 4-H, Agriculture, Brevard County, Careers, Future, Hobbies, Personalities, Values, Youth, Youth Development

One Yard Can Inspire a Community: Karma Thomson Earns Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Gold Recognition

by Sara MacDonald
August 26, 2026

A landscape can be more than a beautiful view from the street. It can conserve water, support wildlife, protect Florida’s natural resources, and inspire an entire community. UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County is proud to recognize Karma Thomson, ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Recreation, UF/IFAS
Tags: Extension, Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Keeping Cedar Key Clean: Join the 41st Annual International Coastal Cleanup

by Emily Colson
July 21, 2026

Cedar Key community members and visitors are invited to help protect our coast during the 41st Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cedar Key City Park. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Organized ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Cedar Key, Cleanup, Community, Marine Debris, NCBS Volunteers, Pollution

Wakulla 4-H Volunteers Help Youth Find Their Spark

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
July 2, 2026

Sometimes Positive Changes Start With One Good Idea and the Courage to Try It Community adults are invited to share skills, lead clubs, support events and build positive youth-adult partnerships In Wakulla County, a volunteer can be the ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Events, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H Clubs, 4-H Events And Activities, 4-H Youth Development, Volunteers

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