Have you ever wondered what makes a turtle different from a tortoise? These fascinating creatures are often confused due to their similar appearances. Read on to learn how to distinguish between the two, and to understand how you can help protect ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Diamondback terrapins are the only resident turtle within brackish water and estuarine systems. Their range extends from Massachusetts to Texas but, prior to 2005, their existence in the Florida panhandle was undocumented. The Panhandle ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Since 2007 Florida Sea Grant has worked with partners, and trained volunteers, to assess the status of the diamondback terrapin in the Florida panhandle. This small emydid turtle is the only one that lives in brackish water and prefers salt ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
One of the programs I focus on as a Sea Grant Extension Agent in Escambia County is restoring the health of our estuary. One of the projects in that program is increasing the encounters with estuarine animals that were once common. Currently ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
As the Sea Grant Extension Agent in Escambia County, one of my program areas is to help restore a healthy estuary. To do this we focus on educating the public how to improve water quality, restore habitat, and manage invasive species, but ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesThere are five species of sea turtles that nest from May through October on Florida beaches. The loggerhead, the green turtle and the leatherback all nest regularly in the Panhandle, with the loggerhead being the most frequent visitor. Two ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeAwareness is Growing!Photo by: Aprile Clark That is, when it comes to lights on our homes and businesses near their nesting beaches. Humans have long-known that artificial light can have negative consequences for many nocturnal animals, including ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeWhen doing programs about snakes I find plenty of people who hate them… but I have never found anyone who hated turtles. I mean what is there to hate? They are slower, none of them are venomous, they have shoulders… people just like them. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeFlorida has the highest number of sea turtles of any state in the continental US. Three species are common here including loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles. The Federal Endangered Species Act lists all of sea turtles in Florida ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeMany folks are putting together a “bucket list” of things they would like to do or see before they can no longer do them. For many interested in natural resources there are certain national parks and scenic places they would like to visit. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Water