Tag: environment

A Red Knot shorebird wades through shallow surf at the edge of a sandy beach. The bird's rusty-orange chest, mottled brown and gray back, and long black bill are clearly visible as small waves wash around its legs while it searches for food along the shoreline.

Florida’s Estuaries: Rest Stops on the Fall Migration Highway

by Holly Abeels
November 4, 2026

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what is happening overhead while you sleep? Every fall, millions of birds travel south to warmer places for the winter. Some birds fly hundreds of miles, while others travel thousands ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Bird Migration, Birds, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Wildlife, Conservation, Environment, Estuaries, Florida Sea Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Wildlife
Redfish getting reeled in.

2026 National Seafood Month Celebration Event in Sarasota County

by Amber Daniels
October 13, 2026

National Seafood Month October is National Seafood Month, and here in Sarasota County, we invite you to celebrate with us this Saturday, October 17th, at the 7th Annual Alligator Creek “Creekfest”! This event is free to the community ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Conservation, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Health, National Seafood Month, Nutrition, Pgm_FCS, Pgm_Marine, Sustainability, Water
A library building is shown in the background, with a border of shrubs, grasses, and trees in the foreground.

FFL in Martin County: Hoke Library

by Yvette Goodiel
October 8, 2026

Introduction Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Commercial Horticulture Digest, Environment, Ffl In Martin County, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Quality
Aerial view of the Indian River Lagoon showing winding waterways and mangrove islands, with a small boat traveling through calm water.

Celebrate National Estuaries Week and the Indian River Lagoon

by Holly Abeels
September 21, 2026

National Estuaries Week is celebrated every year during the last full week of September. In 2026, it takes place September 20-26. This special week recognizes the important role estuaries play in supporting wildlife, local economies, and coastal ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Coastal Ecosystems, Environment, Estuaries, Florida Sea Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Water Quality
Invasive daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus) growing out of cracks in the pavement in a highly urbanized area of Zagreb, Croatia. Photo by S. Luke Flory.

Cities worldwide may be the ultimate training grounds for invasive species

by Lourdes Mederos
September 21, 2026

With city growth and urban sprawl, could these changing landscapes be giving invasive species a competitive edge? Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say the answer may be yes, ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Invasive Species, Luke Flory, Top News, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida Invasion Science Institute, Urban Sprawl
Dense green mangrove trees line a calm waterway, with their reflection mirrored on the still water beneath a clear blue sky.

Mangroves: Nature’s Coastal Defenders and Climate Champions

by Holly Abeels
August 25, 2026

From protecting communities during storms to helping combat climate change, mangroves provide some of the most valuable ecosystem services on Earth. Understanding these benefits highlights why protecting and restoring mangrove forests is important ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Coastal Habitat, Conservation, Environment, Featured, Florida Sea Grant, Resiliency, Water Quality, Wildlife
Flooded residential area with underwater houses from hurricane Debby rainfall water in Sarasota, Florida. Aftermath of natural disaster in southern USA. Adobe Stock File # 1947311237 By bilanol

Learn to safeguard your well water, septic system for storm season with this free UF/IFAS webinar series

by Lourdes Mederos
July 20, 2026

Many Floridians rely on private wells for drinking water and septic systems to treat household wastewater. Hurricanes, flooding and routine maintenance challenges can affect the safety and reliability of these systems. To help homeowners ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Events, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Andrea Albertin, Brain Health, Center For Land Use Efficiency, Drinking Water, Environment, Flooding, Florida Well Owner Network, Health, Homeowner, Household Water Systems, Hurricanes, News, North Florida Research And Education Center, Safeguard, Septic System, Septic Tank, Top News, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, University Of Florida, Water, Wells, Yilin Zhuang
Three-panel image showing the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea underwater and as a close-up specimen, highlighting its narrow, paired green leaves.

Getting Ahead of the Spread: Meet Halophila stipulacea, Florida’s New Invasive Seagrass

by Holly Abeels
July 9, 2026

A new invasive seagrass is spreading in Florida waters, and scientists are asking people to help watch for it. Halophila stipulacea is a small tropical seagrass that was first found in Florida in 2024 in Biscayne Bay near Key Biscayne. Since ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aquatic Invasive Species, Coastal Systems, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Seagrass
A “Manatee Zone – Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” sign stands on posts in a calm coastal waterway, with a small motorboat traveling in the background and low green shoreline vegetation in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Boating Responsibly This Fourth of July: Safety, Wildlife, and Florida’s Waterways

by Holly Abeels
June 30, 2026

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest weekends of the year on Florida’s waterways. From lifelong locals to first-time visitors, thousands of people head out to enjoy time on the water. No matter your level of experience, understanding how ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Boating, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Recreation, Water

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