Summertime and swimming at the beach just go together naturally in Florida with our state’s more than 1,000 miles of coastline. Many fond memories are created along these salty margins and the Panhandle region of the state has some of the ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeIt is that time of year again. Spring Break brings locals and visitors back to the beach for fun in the sun. It is important to remind folks that part of having fun is playing it safe. At the beach, this means knowing and following some pretty ... READ MORE
Category: Work & LifeThis yard on Pensacola Beach has become over run by vitex. Photo courtesy of Rick O’Connor. In 2013 we began writing about a potential invasive plant in the Florida panhandle called Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia). The first record we ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural ResourcesAll Photos by Molly O’Connor We began our series on Nature Tourism along the ICW at the Alabama state line on Perdido Key and discussed the ICW itself. This month we will continue in Escambia County with a visit to Pensacola Beach. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, RecreationDo you have any exotic pets you can no longer care for? Would you like the opportunity to surrender those pets without any penalties or fines? Then join the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Gulfarium Marine Adventure ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeLes Harrison is the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Director There are many species of the animal kingdom known to use tools. To humans, this is a sign of intelligence, at least to some degree. While hermit crabs may not be considered a ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeKudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria): Florida is extending a warm welcome to a new pest! In 2012, the Kudzu bug made its first appearance in our state. And they are settling in to stay. The kudzu bug was first documented in the US in 2009 in ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural ResourcesMarch 1st: Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata), Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), Crazy Ant (Nylanderia pubens) Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR): All of the species featured in today’s article are ones that we need to keep an eye on as they ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural ResourcesThe Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse is one of four Florida Panhandle subspecies classified as endangered or threatened. Beach mice provide important ecological roles promoting the health of our coastal dunes and beaches. Photo provided by Jeff Talbert Sea ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeIt seems everyone in the Panhandle is talking about the invasive lionfish. This non-native member of the scorpionfish family was first seen in U.S. waters in 1989 near Ft. Lauderdale. Over the last two decades, much has been learned about the ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife