There have been a lot of things brought into and out of the deep South that seemed like a good idea at the time. From kudzu and mullet haircuts to deep-fried Twinkies and jorts, we should probably think twice about a few trends. One such ... READ MORE
Category: Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tilapia are a member of the cichlid family, native to Africa and the Middle East. These tropical fish were first introduced to Florida in the early 1960s and have since spread throughout the state's freshwater systems where they frequent nutrient ... READ MORE
Category: Work & Life
Recap of July 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector In July, we talked about invasive pests of pine. Florida has about 17 million acres of forestland with a significant portion covered in pine. The state also has a significant pine ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WaterRecap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY The third Friday in May is Endangered Species Day, a tradition started by the Endangered Species Coalition in 2006. In Florida we recognize and celebrate the remaining critical habitats on public and private lands ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
THANKS TO ALL JOINING US FOR RONNIE STEPHENSON TOUR IN JACKSON COUNTY Thanks to all who participated in the tour at the property of Ronnie Stephenson, our 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, last week in Jackson County. We enjoyed a great ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
In the intricate tapestry of ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species can often have devastating consequences. One such example is the invasive plant species known as Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtonii). Originally from Madagascar, ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture