Tag: environment

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
Extension faculty in the field installing a soil moisture sensor in a vegetable crop

Soil Moisture Sensors for Treasure Coast Farms and Nurseries

by Yvette Goodiel
March 10, 2026

The challenge of irrigation management Farmers and nursery growers have to carefully manage water supply for their crops. Too much or too little irrigation can damage or stress the crop, making it more vulnerable to weed competition, insect ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Conservation, Environment, IFASwater, Martin County, Small Farms, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Water Quality

Learn about Invasive Species: Florida Master Naturalist Program

by martinmain
February 25, 2026

This is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which was established to raise awareness about invasive plants and animals and the damage they cause to the environment, our economy, and in some cases threats they pose to public health. There ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Conservation, Environment, Extension, Florida, Florida Master Naturalist Program, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Close up of milkweed flowers

Landscaping with Native Milkweeds in Sarasota County

by Ashley Ellis
January 27, 2026

We often see gardeners using non-native tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica L.) in their landscapes—sometimes without realizing it was recently added to the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas list as ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Environment, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Horticulture, Landscape, Landscaping, Nature, Pgm_HortRes
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

New to Florida? Join Water Wednesday for Practical Guidance on Florida’s Environment

by Yilin
January 22, 2026

Florida is home to unique weather patterns, water resources, landscapes, and ecosystems. For many new residents, adjusting to these conditions can raise practical questions about everyday life, from lawn care and home maintenance to storm preparedness ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Climate, Environment, Landscaping, Nature, New Residents, Water, Water Wednesday, Wildlife

Under siege: Two pests threaten Florida strawberries – but new research may bring relief

by Brad Buck
January 22, 2026

Florida’s strawberry fields may look vibrant and abundant this time of year, but beneath those glossy leaves, a quiet battle is raging. At the very moment growers hit peak production, two long-established but relentless adversaries surge onto ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture
Tags: Abigail Campos Gutiérrez, Allan Busuulwa, Biological Control, Chilli Thrips, Crop, Crop Damage, Entomology, Environment, Florida Strawberry Season, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Neoseiulus Californicus, Pesticides, Predatory Mites, Prey, Sriyanka Lahiri, Strawberries, Strawberry Growers, Twospotted Spider Mite

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