Situation The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) has existed in its present form for about 450 million years. It has survived several catastrophes that faced the planet including those that wiped out the dinosaurs. Today there are four ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
I frequently receive calls and emails with questions about snakes, particularly from new families moving into the area. They want to know what kinds of snakes they are seeing, which species they might see, and which are venomous. It was ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Every year since I joined Florida Sea Grant in 2012, water quality has been selected as one of the top priority issues by both my advisory committee and by the public. Clean water is important to everyone. Though there are several water ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WaterEach year we conduct surveys, water quality is one of the top concerns of citizens. There are numerous water quality issues out there, but health advisories are ones that are of high interest. Health advisories are issued by the Department ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Introduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once common in the lower portions of the Pensacola Bay system. However, by 1970 they were all but gone. Closely associated with seagrass, especially turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Pirates of the Caribbean was always my favorite ride at Disney. Being prone to seasickness, this low-key little water journey was as close as my childhood imagination could fathom to truly sailing the high seas. But that type of adventure ... READ MORE
Category:Introduction The Pensacola Bay System has had a history of environmental problems. Declining water quality, loss of habitat, and the decline of fisheries and wildlife have all been problems for the bay. One area of ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) is an invasive plant that does well in sandy/sunny locations – the dunes. It has caused several problems in North and South Carolina (where it was first released to restore dunes after a hurricane). It ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural ResourcesThe horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is one of those creatures that was once more abundant in the Pensacola Bay system half a century ago, declined, and is now trying to make a resurgence. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources