Written by Madison Konash, 2025 undergraduate summer intern hosted by Dr. Marc Hensel of the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) My Summer at the Nature Coast Biological Station This summer, I had the amazing opportunity ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, , Water, Wildlife
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, or GTMNERR, is a vital part of Florida’s northeast coast. It is home to rich ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and a community deeply invested in protecting its future. But like ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Written by Jake Rosner, 2025 undergraduate summer intern hosted by Dr. Marc Hensel of the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) About My Summer Seeking a career in researching marine ecology, I applied to be a Nature ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, , Water, Wildlife
Aren't plants amazing? They add beauty to any setting, bring joy to those around them, help to clean our air, and can provide a great meal! Did you know that they have a lot in common with oysters as well! Oysters are amazing animals that ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) VOGS are oyster restoration structures composed of recycled oyster shells strung together and suspended in coastal intertidal zones. The VOGs recruit new oyster growth, expanding oyster reef habitats and promoting ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
In this "Naturally Florida" podcast episode, we explore the world of oysters. What are they? What do they do? What happens when they die? Eastern oysters play a critical role in Florida’s estuarine habitats, supporting hundreds of species ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
VOGs are recycled oyster shells from local restaurants strung together on a rope or wire and suspended from a dock or seawall to create surfaces for juvenile oysters (also known as spat or oyster larvae) to attach and develop. We hear ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
Florida’s oyster population has declined during the past 15 years because of overharvest, hurricanes, changing environmental conditions and more. In particular, Apalachicola Bay has seen a pronounced reduction. “Oyster farming has been ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
A warm welcome to Razieh Sadat Mirmahdi, the latest guest in our FSHN Research Journeys series, which follows graduate students' research in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at The University of Florida. Razieh is a second-year ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
The world’s oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which does not bode well for Florida’s 825 miles of coastline. Carbon dioxide can contribute to ocean acidification -- a reduction in the pH of the ocean -- which ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS