Tag: Wildlife Conservation

Horseshoe crabs need your love, South Florida. Join the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch on Feb. 12

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Horseshoe crabs are a vital part of Florida’s coastal ecology. Their eggs are a major food source for shorebirds migrating north as well as many fish species. A statewide Horseshoe Crab Watch is expanding into Miami-Dade County and ... READ MORE

Category: Events, UF/IFAS
Tags: Ana Zangroniz, Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant Agents, Wildlife Conservation

On National Alligator Day, May 29, there’s plenty to appreciate about these toothy reptiles, UF/IFAS experts explain

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

American alligators are one of the largest beneficial predators that have stood the test of time balancing ecosystems. Yet, they’re largely misunderstood. “Often sensationalized, these iconic reptiles are recognized by biologists and ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Alligator, Florida Everglades, Frank Mazzotti, Louisiana, National Alligator Day, News, Reptile, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, The Croc Docs, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research Education Center, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Wildlife Conservation

Monitoring and measuring biodiversity require more than just numbers; scientists advocate for change

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Human actions influence the success and how species spread throughout geographic locations. This is why monitoring wildlife biodiversity is critical for scientists and policymakers to understand and preserve the present state of ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Crops, Events, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Absolute Abundance, Biodiversity, Citizen Scientists, Conservation, Corey Callaghan, Department Of Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, News, Relative Abundance, Research, Study, Trends And Ecology Evolution, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, University Of Florida, Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Cracking the Burmese python code: New data zeroes in on game-changing strategies

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

In a groundbreaking study, University of Florida scientists statistically analyzed large amounts of data collected by Burmese python contractors, revealing critical insights about how to most efficiently remove the reptiles. Researchers ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Alex Romer, Big Cypress National Preserve, Burmese Python, Citizen Scientists, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Invasive Species, Melissa Miller, News, Palm Beach County, Python Contractors, Python Elimination Program, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, SFWMD, South Florida Water Management District, Tamiami Trail, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Are we losing our wildlife to benches and ballparks? UF/IFAS research shows how smart designs can avoid it

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Across the United States, more than 440 national parks and 7,400 urban parks offer a variety of recreational green spaces for people and pets. Yet, the United States Forest Service warns that urbanization, including park development, ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Biodiversity, Birds, Carbon, Citizen Science, Community Involvement, Corey Callaghan, Ecology, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Green Spaces, Greenspace Management, Habitats, Health, Heat Islands, Human Activities, Inaturalist, Insects, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Lawns, Mammals, Nature, News, Parks, Planners, Plants, Pollinators, Recreation, Recreations, Smart Park, UF-IFAS, United States Forest Service, University Of Florida, Urban Green Spaces, Urban Parks, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Risky human behavior, not aggressive gators, behind most alligator bites

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a groundbreaking study by scientists at the University of Florida and Centre College in Kentucky. Published in the journal Human—Wildlife ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alligator Attacks, Alligator Bite, Alligator Habitat, Alligator Mating Season, Alligators, Attractive Stimulus, Co-exist, Crocodilians, Department Of Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, Habitat, Human Awareness, Human Behavior, Lakes, News, Oceans, Predator, Rivers, Situational Awareness, Targeted Communication Strategies, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Managers

Wildlife Watch: Florida’s burrowing owls are back! Get wise about living with them using Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

About this series As residential and commercial development continues to expand across Florida, wildlife is adapting to live closer to people. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) shares ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Adapting, Ask IFAS, Breeding Season, Burrowing Owl, Burrows, Coexistence With Wildlife, Ecosystem, Edis, Factsheet, Land Use, Native Birds, Nature, Nesting Season, Nonmigratory, Predators, Prey, Protected Birds, Protected Species, Protected Wildlife, Spanish, Sustained Residential Growth, Urban Sprawl, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Habitat, Wildlife Watch

Meet the UF Croc Docs: Women leading wildlife conservation in the Everglades

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Highlights Women make up less than 30% of all scientists globally, a reminder of how persistent gender gaps remain in STEM fields, according to UNESCO. At the University of Florida’s Croc Docs Wildlife Research Lab , women represent ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Invasive Species, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: American Crocodile, Burmese Python, Crocodile, Drones, Everglades National Park, Florida Everglades, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, GPS, Hawk, Innovation Tools, Innovative Solutions, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, Jen Brueggen, Melissa Miller, News, Radio Tracking, Snakes, Surveys, Tegu, Telemetry, UF Croc Docs, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, University Of Florida's Croc Docs Wildlife Research Lab, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Wildlife Watch: Learn to protect the Florida panther during critical breeding season with Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

About this series As residential and commercial development expands across Florida, wildlife is adapting to live closer to people. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) shares tips through Ask ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Agricultural Areas, Ask IFAS, Big Cats, Breeding Population, Caloosahatchee River, Conservation Strategies, Endangered Species, Endangered Species Act, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Panther, Forests, FWC, Habitat, Habitat Loss, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Kittens, Neighborhoods, News, Panther Behavior, Prairies, Public Awareness, Ranchlands, Research, Species Survival, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida, Vehicle Collisions, Wetlands, Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Watch

Want to attract birds to your outdoor spaces? Ask IFAS bilingual resources offer guidance on the right approach

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

More than 50 million Americans feed birds, putting out an estimated billion pounds of bird food each year, based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data summarized by bird-feeding researchers. Backyard bird feeding is popular across Florida, ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Backyard Birds, Bird Feeders, Bird Food, Bird-friendly, Birds, Birdwatching, Food, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, News, Outdoor Spaces, Prey, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida, Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation

Subscribe For More Great Content