Tag: Environmental Education

Lovebugs are back! But experts say the familiar Florida pest is a harmless nuisance

by Jamie Groh
May 19, 2026

They may be one of Florida’s most complained-about insects, but lovebug swarms are short-lived, harmless, and even helpful in their early life stages, researchers say. While many will have to swat them away while crossing parking ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, UF/IFAS
Tags: Bug Season, Car Care, Decomposition, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Ecosystem Benefits, Environmental Education, Fans For Insects, Featured, Florida Insects, Florida Wildlife, Harmless Insects, Highway Driving Tips, Home Prevention, Insect Control, Insect Ecology, Insect Swarms, Integrated Pest Management, Larvae, Lovebugs, Natural Cycles, Non Toxic Pest Control, Nuisance Insects, Outdoor Tips, Pest Management, Seasonal Pests, Soil Health, UF-IFAS

Weekly “What is it?”: Biodiversity

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

According to Conservation International, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots worldwide. These are defined as areas with “at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Coastal Wildlife, Environmental Education, Estuaries, Florida Panhandle, Gulf Of Mexico, Pollinators, Water Quality, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Our Environment – Introduction

by Rick O'Connor
May 18, 2026

Each year I survey the public to determine what their needs are – what they are most concerned about – and where Extension might help. One of the primary functions of Extension is to provide local clientele with solutions to their needs ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Environmental Education

Weekly “What is it?”: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

I’m not sure if you’ve ever stared at a plant for 15 minutes and tried to count and identify all the insects on it, but I can attest it’s not easy! That is exactly what I, and dozens of volunteers, did last Friday (August 23) as part of ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Environmental Education, Flowers, Gardening, Insects, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Southern snow

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

As temperatures drop precipitously this week, I know most of us are digging out those gloves and hats we needed last month. The record-breaking snowfall we experienced along the Gulf Coast in late January was nothing short of surreal. While ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Climate, Environmental Education, Florida Climate, Florida Panhandle, Gulf Of Mexico, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Witches’ Brooms

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

Our topic today might seem better suited to late October, but it can be observed in the woods year-round. During a recent Master Naturalist class, we discussed the various species of pines that grow in northwest Florida. All seven Florida ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Environmental Education, Hiking, Insects, Trees, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: In-Stream Trash Collection

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

If you’ve ever peeked over the railings of a bridge spanning an urban stream, walked along the beach, or even paddled in some of our more rural rivers, you know we have a trash problem in our waterways. Northwest Florida is crisscrossed ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Environmental Education, Habitat Conservation, Marine Debris, Water Quality, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Every Kid Outdoors

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

The summer after my junior year of college, I took part in a nearly 40-day road trip with the geography department at my university. We headed west from Birmingham to New Mexico, then north to Banff National Park, traveling through fourteen ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, Wildlife
Tags: Ecotourism, Environmental Education, Habitat Conservation, Hiking, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “WHO is it?”: Kayak Dave

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

You know those people who just exude peace and calm? The type who never seem rattled, always go with the flow, and are positive about everything? For me, “Kayak Dave” Barker was that guy. He was a fixture at Navarre Beach, and so well ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Ecotourism, Environmental Education, Recreation, Weekly What Is It, Youth Science Lessons

Weekly “What is it?”: Franklin tree

by Carrie Stevenson
May 18, 2026

I have written about William Bartram here before—he and his father, the “King’s Botanist”—explored Pensacola and much of the coastal southeast in the late 1700’s. Curious observers of everything from plant growth and wildlife ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources
Tags: Environmental Education, Habitat Conservation, Native Plants, Trees, Weekly What Is It

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