Tag: Hillsborough County

Fallen tree branches on a lawn in front of a suburban house.

You can have it ‘made in the shade’ by planting more diverse trees

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

When we plant the same trees over and over again, we create urban forests that are vulnerable to being wiped out by invading pests and diseases, a University of Florida researcher says. Deb Hilbert wants to avoid tree deaths. In fact, she ... READ MORE

Category: Forests
Tags: Andrew Koeser, Deb Hilbert, Diseases, Diversity, Environmental Horticulture, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Hillsborough County, Orange County, Pests, Research, Shade, Species, Trees, Urban Canopy
People volunteer to work in a community garden.

Growing a sense of ‘community’ in community gardens

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

Across the country, community gardens are cropping up in response to growing interest in producing local food. In a new study, University of Florida researchers ask what makes one of these gardens thrive --- or wither. By bringing people ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Agricultural Education And Communication, Bonding, Community Gardens, Duval County, Government, Hillsborough County, Karissa Raskin, Local Food, Manatee County, Nonprofits, Orange County, Paul Monaghan, Social Capital
Close-up of hands holding ripe strawberries.

Savor the flavor, pack in some nutrition this Florida strawberry season

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

You can taste them now – sweet, succulent strawberries. February and March mark the peak time for Florida strawberry production, and University of Florida experts point to several reasons consumers gobble up the juicy fruit. “Strawberries ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Charles Sims, Consumers, Flavor, Florida Strawberry Season, Food Science And Human Nutrition, Harvest, Hillsborough County, Joshua Payne, Manatee County, Nutrition, Polk County, Storage, Strawberries, Strawberry Season, Strawberry Shortcake, UF Sensory Lab, Vitamin C

In the heart of Florida’s strawberry season, an expert explains why they’re so wonderful

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

When you think of February, you might dream of a Happy Valentine’s Day, roses and romance. If you live in central Florida, you might also want to buy the very best strawberries. Many local fields are rife with the red fruit. Wael Elwakil, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic
Tags: Breeding, Economic Impact, Featured, Fruit And Vegetable Production, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Harvest, Hillsborough County, Special Topics, Strawberries, Strawberry Season, Taste, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Valentine's Day, Wael Elwakil
image - Alate of subterranean termite species. Español. Imagen de un alado de una especie de termita subterránea.

UF/IFAS termite scientists confirm first spread of Asian Subterranean termites in Tampa

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

For the first time, a tropical invasive termite species was reported swarming beyond its expected range in Florida.  A team of termite scientists at the University of Florida has confirmed heightened invasive subterranean termite activity ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Alates Of Coptotermes Gestroi Flight Macro, Asian Subterranean Termites, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Ento, Entomology, Formosan Subterranean Termites, Formosan Termites, Hillsborough County, Invasive Pests, News, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Termite, Termite ID Service, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS News, UF News, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research Education Center
An unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, flies overhead in the sky.

Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Explore GIS Careers

by Katie Britt
May 15, 2026

Tampa, Florida – Hillsborough County 4-H partnered with the Tampa Bay GIS User Group (TBGIS), to put on a GIS Career Exploration event to introduce youth to the variety of careers that use maps and geospatial analysis. The event was part ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers
Tags: 4-H, 4-H & Youth, Beyond Ready, Geomatics, Geomatics Extension, GIS, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County 4-H, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences

Marine Geomatics workshops coming soon for Tampa Bay youth

by Katie Britt
May 15, 2026

  Tampa Bay, Florida --- The UF/IFAS Geomatics Extension program is excited to announce a series of youth workshops in 2026 thanks to a mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. The $5,000 mini-grant was proposed by FFGS ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Curriculum
Tags: 4-H, 4-H & Youth, Geomatics, Geomatics Extension, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County 4-H, Pinellas County, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County
Close up of a kayaker operating a handheld fish finder.

UPDATE: “Map Quest: Scallop Habitats” registration now open through 4-H!

by Katie Britt
May 15, 2026

April 15, 2026 update: dates offered for the 4-H Senior events have been changed. The following article reflects current changes and will be updated later with new date and registration information when available. Explore Tampa Bay’s ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, 4-H & Youth, Geomatics Extension, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County 4-H, Pinellas County, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County

UF/IFAS Extension offers Gardening with Native Plants in Hybrid Format

by Tia Saracino
April 16, 2026

Florida native plants are a smart choice for your landscape. They are well-suited for survival in Florida and provide a number of ecological benefits to our environment. Join UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County on Thursday April 13th from ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Annuals, Archive, Central Florida, Event, Florida, Florida Friendly, Florida Native Plants, Hillsborough County, Hybrid, In Person, Online Event, Perennials, Tampa, Trees, Tsilvasy, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildflowers, Zoom

UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County offers Fertilizer Class in Hybrid Format

by Tia Saracino
April 16, 2026

Turfgrass, vegetables, flowers, fruit trees and palms all have different fertilizer needs. In addition, residents need to be mindful of the fertilizer ordinances in their county and the effect of fertilizer on the environment. Join UF/IFAS ... READ MORE

Category: , Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Fertilizer, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruit Tree, Hillsborough County, In Person Class, Nutrition, Palm, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Tsilvasy, Turf Grass, Vegetable, Zoom Webinar

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