![a digital meat thermometer reads 165.3 degrees fahrenheit while checking chicken on a barbecue grill. [credit: uf/ifas, tyle jones; edit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2024/07/2017_FCS_foodsafetyGrillingThermometer01UPDATE165F_ifasJonesTyler_CROP1650x470.jpg)
Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Work & Life![a group of young adults sits at a table in a restaurant/bar, with "brewing ideas" pint glasses, sharing conversation. [credit: unsplash.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/11/2025_Waste_brewideasGroupAtBar_unsplashSergeyTarasov_EDITicon1650x470TINY.png)
Cheers to "Brewing Ideas with UF/IFAS"! We launched this innovative series last month, to bring together community members and local experts for an evening of open discussion on relevant environmental solutions. The goals were simple: make ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water, Wildlife
The common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a captivating species that inhabits a variety of coastal and estuarine environments. There are five species of snook in Florida, but the common snook, also known as robalo or linesider, is the largest, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
World Ocean Day was yesterday, but no worries if you missed it; World Ocean Day was created to advocate for and inspire people to take action every day, not just on one day. Consequently, it is always appropriate to celebrate our ocean and ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Work & Life
Summer in Florida means beach time. No school and warmer waters are a perfect excuse to go to the beach. With great fun, however, comes great responsibility. Safety is critical, especially when it comes to understanding rip currents. These ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Work & Life![assorted microplastics shown resting on two fingertips, with a pile of microplastics in the background. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/02/2017_Waste_microplasticCloseupFingers01_ifasTylerJonesCROP1650x470TINY.png)
We have all heard the mantra: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We know plastic isn't natural and doesn't decompose. After all, you can’t compost plastic, right? You’ve probably seen those heart-wrenching images of straws in sea turtles' noses ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water
One cool project we collaborated on this year at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County was the "Sarasota County Starter Kit." The program "equips new (and existing) community members with essential information, from saving on utilities to living ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources
This past weekend, a sperm whale stranded at a beach in Venice, along the Gulf of Mexico. This event got a lot of attention because stranded large whales are not a common sight for beachgoers in this area. The cachalot eventually died, and ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Sea turtles are among the most majestic creatures on our planet. With their gentle nature and graceful movements, they have captivated people for centuries. However, these incredible sea dwellers are facing numerous threats that endanger ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Nature has a way of captivating our hearts, of inspiring us with beauty, strength, persistence and more. When we look more closely at those moments, we’re often reminded of the delicate balance that exists within our ecosystems, and how our ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife, Work & Life