Tag: Coastal

Study reveals growing interest in natural shorelines

by Megan Winslow
May 19, 2026

Promoting the idea of installing a living shoreline was once a losing battle. Savanna Barry recalls a colleague who attempted to introduce the concept during a gathering of marine contractors about a decade ago. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Bulkhead, Cedar Key, Coast, Coastal, Conservation, Ecosystem, Extension, Florida Master Naturalist Program, Florida Sea Grant, FSG, Hurricane, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Living Shoreline, Marine Contractor, Megan Winslow, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Native Vegetation, Natural, Oyster, Savanna Barry, Seawall, Shore, Shoreline, Stabilize, Storm Surge, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Vegetation, Water, Wave Break
Manatees

Who’s that critter? UF/IFAS wildlife series spotlights the Florida manatee

by Megan Winslow
May 19, 2026

Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot.  More than 4,000 animal species, in fact, are native to the Sunshine State. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Aquatic, Coastal, Conservation, Critter, Critter Of The Month, Ecosystem, Extension, Florida, Florida Manatee, Gentle Giant, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Maia McGuire, Manatee, Marine, Megan Winslow, Protect, River, Sea Cow, Species, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Water, West Indian Manatee, Wildlife
A damaged roof with a large tree branch leaning against it, with a house in the background.

Is your landscape ready for a major storm? UF experts provide top tips to maintain a resilient landscape

by Lourdes Mederos
May 19, 2026

Hurricane season is part of life in Florida, but the damage isn’t limited to roofs and windows. Trees, lawns and landscapes also can take a major hit that may lead to costly repairs. After hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024, residential ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Arborist, Coastal, Commercial Horticulture, Flying Debris, Garden Tools, Hurricane, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, International Society Of Arboriculture, ISA, ISA Trees Are Good.org, Landscape, Michael Orfanedes, Outdoor Furniture, Patio, Potted Plants, Prune, Pruning, Saltwater Intrusion, South Florida Landscape, Storm Season, Storms, Tree Damage, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Tree Treimming, Trees, Tropical Storms, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, University Of Florida, Unpruned, Wind Damage, Yard
A top view of a sea sponge in water.

EPA grant to help UF/IFAS scientists restore sea sponges, improve water quality in South Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
May 19, 2026

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Crops, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Algae, Ana Zangroniz, Aquaculture, Ashley Smyth, Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Bacteria, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne Bay Pilot Nursery, Biscayne National Park, Classifications, Coastal, Coastal Environments, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Health, Cycle Nutrients, Ecosystem, Ecosystem Services, Filter, Florida Keys Aquaculture Research, Florida Sea Grant, Genetic Advances, Habitat, Harmful Algal Blooms, Lower Keys, Marine, Marine Life, National Park Service, Nature’s Water Filters, Organisms, Restore Ecological Services, Restore Sponge Populations, Sea Sponge, Seagrass, Shelly Krueger, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, South Florida, Southeast Florida, Sponge Restoration Aquaculture, Sponge Restoration Species, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County, UF/IFAS Researchers, Viruses, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Water Quality Benefits

Coastal Hurricane Preparation

by Dr. Megan Moore
May 15, 2026

With hurricane season upon us, it is important to understand how to properly prepare and protect your family, home, and property from potential storm impacts. The hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th, however, ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Disaster Preparation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Boat, Coastal, Evacuation, Featured, Florida Sea Grant, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparation, Pasco County, Special Topics, Storm Surge, UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office
Sunrise and ocean tide at Washington Oaks State Park.

Xeniid soft corals: the latest news

by Ana Zangroniz
May 15, 2026

What has happened: There have been new developments with the Xeniid soft coral invasion in the Caribbean. The inspiration for my February 2023 original blog post was the confirmation of Unomia stolonifera in northern Cuba, which is quite ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Citizen Science, Coastal, Coral Reefs, Florida Sea Grant, Invasive Species, Marine, Natural Resources, Pulse Corals, Soft Coral, Unomia, Xeniids

EPA grant to help UF/IFAS scientists restore sea sponges, improve water quality in South Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
April 21, 2026

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Crops, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Algae, Ana Zangroniz, Aquaculture, Archive, Ashley Smyth, Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Bacteria, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne Bay Pilot Nursery, Biscayne National Park, Classifications, Coastal, Coastal Environments, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Health, Cycle Nutrients, Ecosystem, Ecosystem Services, Filter, Florida Keys Aquaculture Research, Florida Sea Grant, Genetic Advances, Habitat, Harmful Algal Blooms, Lower Keys, Marine, Marine Life, National Park Service, Nature’s Water Filters, Organisms, Restore Ecological Services, Restore Sponge Populations, Sea Sponge, Seagrass, Shelly Krueger, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, South Florida, Southeast Florida, Sponge Restoration Aquaculture, Sponge Restoration Species, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County, UF/IFAS Researchers, Viruses, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Water Quality Benefits

Ten Plants to Know in our Florida Sand Dunes

by Carolyn Kovacs
April 6, 2026

Our coastal sand dunes are important as they protect our land and buildings from wave energy, erosion, and flooding.  They also protect inland habitats and buildings from salt spray and are an important habitat for many plants and animals. ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Beach, Coastal, Florida Sea Grant, Plants, Sand Dune

Ten Plants to Know in our Florida Sand Dunes

by Carolyn Kovacs
April 6, 2026

Our coastal sand dunes are important as they protect our land and buildings from wave energy, erosion, and flooding.  They also protect inland habitats and buildings from salt spray and are an important habitat for many plants and animals. ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Beach, Coastal, Florida Sea Grant, Plants, Sand Dune

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