Tag: habitat conservation

Weekly “What is it?”: Coastal Dune Lakes

by Carrie Stevenson
November 20, 2025

Formed at the edge of freshwater and salt, dense forest and open water, scrubby dune and open marsh, the diversity along and within coastal dune lakes is tremendous. Coastal dune lakes are shallow, irregularly shaped, permanent bodies of ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Coastal Wildlife, Gulf Of Mexico, Habitat Conservation, Recreation, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Blazing star

by Carrie Stevenson
October 15, 2025

Walking through a northwest Florida wildflower prairie in mid-October, the star of the show is Liatris. Known as dense gayfeather or blazing star, this tall (up to 7’!) stunner of a plant is covered up with clusters of small purple ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Flowers, Garden Design, Habitat Conservation, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: UWF Heritage Roots Garden

by Carrie Stevenson
October 2, 2025

Just about a year ago, a dream team of history and plant nerds assembled around a common goal. The idea was to transform an open, weedy space adjacent to the University of West Florida (UWF) Archaeology Institute into a lush garden. The ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Edibles, Garden Design, Habitat Conservation, Pensacola Bay, Shrubs, Trees, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Alligator Snapping Turtle

by Carrie Stevenson
September 4, 2025

If you’re ever looking for an easy nature walk with guaranteed wildlife sightings, I highly recommend the Gulf Breeze Wetlands Trail. It’s a little over a ¼ mile long boardwalk trail at Shoreline Park South, overlooking a marsh ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Habitat Conservation, Rivers, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: Dragonflies

by Carrie Stevenson
August 7, 2025

Before we sold the original 4-H property to Navy Federal, the entire office of Escambia County Extension agents regularly hosted school field trips at the 4-H camp. It had a huge auditorium, forested areas, pitcher plant bogs, and a pond. ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Environmental Education, Flowers, Gardening, Habitat Conservation, Insects, Snakes, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: Green Anole

by Carrie Stevenson
June 26, 2025

There’s plenty of animals you might call “cute”, but lizards usually aren’t among them. However, I’d take exception to that premise when discussing the green anole (Anolis carolinensis). With big blue eyes, brilliant green skin, ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Habitat Conservation, Insects, Invasive Species, Lizard, Native Plants, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: Coreopsis

by Carrie Stevenson
May 7, 2025

Coreopsis flowers are like sunshine on a stem. Their bright, festive yellow petals look up to the sun and are especially striking when planted en masse. Our Master Gardeners have planted and tended a garden of these cheerful asters at the ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources
Tags: Flowers, Gardening, Habitat Conservation, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “WHO is it?”: Sheila Dunning

by Carrie Stevenson
March 5, 2025

I’ve only dedicated one of these blogs to an individual before, after the passing of Navarre’s beloved Kayak Dave. But after losing a friend and mentor earlier this week, I knew it was time for another personal tribute. Sheila Dunning ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Tags: Estuaries, Flowers, Habitat Conservation, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Shrubs, Trees, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife, Youth Science Lessons

Weekly “What is it?”: Venetian Crabs

by Carrie Stevenson
December 11, 2024

If you live near or visit the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coasts, odds are you’re a fan of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Fried or steamed legs and claws, crabcakes, entire softshell crabs—that sweet crab meet is delicious ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Coastal Wildlife, Edibles, Habitat Conservation, Invasive Species, Weekly What Is It

Weekly “What is it?”: Migrating Mangroves

by Carrie Stevenson
October 11, 2024

Here in northwest Florida, salt marshes ring the bays. Common in brackish and salty water, these grassy meadows form a protective ring around the shorelines where rivers and bayous empty out into larger bodies of water. While there are numerous ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Barrier Islands, Estuaries, Habitat Conservation, Native Plants, Plants, Weekly What Is It

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