Growing up a fan of Indiana Jones, the swashbuckling adventures of searching for archaeological treasures were embedded deeply into my youthful psyche. As a teenager, I would lose myself in National Geographic stories and photography, captivated ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
A few weeks back, fellow Extension Agent Thomas Derbes and I were leading a field trip for local high school biology students. We were at Big Lagoon State Park, located along the coast near Perdido Key and truly one of my favorite places ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources
Are you looking to find more ways for you and your family to ex•plore all Sarasota County has to offer? From award-winning beaches to natural areas and trails, from mangrove tunnels to fishing holes, birding sites, gardens and more, Sarasota ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Events, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Have you ever wanted to experience one of our Sarasota County parks after dark? Consider attending one of our upcoming Nature at Night programs, part of the ex•plore series. What can you expect to see and do at Nature at Night? Keep reading ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Events, Forests, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
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
While 8-legged critters often spook people, my son has a soft spot for spiders. Years ago, he discovered one while in the shower, covered it with a cup to protect it from the threat of the drain, and released it safely outdoors. On a recent ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
My husband’s best friend was a nature nerd like me. If I didn’t know what something was, Anthony was the first person I’d send a photo to for identification help. We lost him unexpectedly last year, but he shows up in small ways for ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation
Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
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
Two weeks ago, I saw my first foxes in the wild. A week and a half ago, I saw my first fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)! While unrelated, the ecology geek in me loved the unlikely coincidence. I saw the fox squirrel as we were leading a kayaking ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife