Category: Wildlife

Unlocking the Forest: A High-Tech Nature Walk at Alafia State Park

by ambernorris
October 15, 2025

Equipped with binoculars, field guides, and AI technology, we set out for a crisp fall morning adventure at Alafia State Park. We discovered that today’s nature walk isn't just about what you can see, but what technology can help you hear, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, AI, Anorris, Central Florida, Hillsborough County, State Parks, Technology, Uf/ifas Extension, Wildlife, Youth

Groundcovers for an Alternative Lawn

by Tia Silvasy
September 9, 2025

Lawns planted with turfgrass can require a lot of maintenance. Bahia grass is a drought-tolerant turfgrass with minimal pest and disease problems and a low nitrogen requirement. St. Augustinegrass has a high demand for water and fertilizer and ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Alternative Lawns, Groundcover, Hillsborough, Native, No Mow Lawns, Pollinator, Silvasy, Tampa

Success Story: UF/IFAS Extension Launches Pollinator Corridor in Tampa

by Tia Silvasy
August 3, 2025

UF/IFAS Extension and Hillsborough County Parks partnered to create a pollinator corridor in the Carrollwood neighborhood of Tampa, FL with funding from the ‘Viva Florida’ grant. The Florida Wildflower Foundation funds planting of native ... READ MORE

Category: , Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Butterflies, Hillsborough County, Native Plants, Pollinators, Success Story, Tampa, Wildflowers

Great Florida Pollinator Census

by ambernorris
May 29, 2025

Are you fascinated by the buzzing world of bees, butterflies, and other vital pollinators? Do you want to contribute to important scientific research right from your community? Then mark your calendars and get ready to become a citizen scientist! The ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H Agent, AI Identification, Ambernorris, Citizen Science, Citizen Scientist, Community Science, Florida 4-H, Google Lens, Great Southern Pollinator Census, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Extension Office, Isilvasy, Participate In Pollinator Census, Pollinator Census, Pollinator Identification, Ufifasextension, Volunteer For Pollinators

Drought Tolerant Native Plants for Central Florida

by Tia Silvasy
May 5, 2025

In the late spring when it starts to get hot and dry in Central Florida you may notice some plants wilting and others thriving. This is a good time to consider remove plants that are not well suited for your landscape and replace with drought ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Central Florida, Drought, Hillsborough County, Hurricane, Native Plants, Salt, Tsilvasy

Florida Native Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

by Tia Silvasy
November 7, 2024

There are three species of hummingbirds in Florida, by far the most common species is the Ruby throated hummingbird. They are attracted to red, orange, and pink tubular flowers. To attract hummingbirds to your yard, plant a variety of plant ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Birds, Butterflies, Central Florida, Florida Friendly, Hummingbirds, Native Plants, Perennial, Tsilvasy, Vine, Wildlife

Panama Berry Tree: Muntingia calabura

by Tia Silvasy
June 11, 2024

The panama berry tree (Muntingia calabura) goes by many names such as strawberry tree, jam fruit tree, and cotton candy berry. The Panama berry is a tropical fruit tree with a strawberry looking flower and sweet edible fruits that taste like ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Calabura, Edible Landscape, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Fruit, Mutingia, Mutingia Calabura, Panama Berry Tree, Shrub, Strawberry Tree, Tree, Tropical, Tsilvasy

Tropical Milkweed and OE

by Tia Silvasy
June 1, 2024

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is commonly found in garden centers and is easy to grow. However, recent research has suggested that gardeners should avoid tropical milkweed and plant native species instead. Unlike native milkweeds ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Butterflies, Butterfly Garden, Florida, Florida Native Plants, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Milkweed, Monarch, Native Plants, OE, Pollinators, Tsilvasy

Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry Tree for your Edible Landscape

by Tia Silvasy
May 22, 2024

There are just some fruits that aren't locally available at grocery stores because of their short shelf life. The mulberry is one of them. The 'Dwarf Everbearing' mulberry is an excellent choice as a Florida-Friendly fruit tree for your edible ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Agroecology, Edible, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Food, Fruit, Garden, Landscaping, Mulberry, Organic, Sustainable, Tsilvasy

Free Gardening talks at Tampa GreenFest

by Tia Silvasy
January 30, 2024

Come visit our UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County table at Tampa GreenFest and learn from Master Gardeners in our free gardening talks. GreenFest will be held on March 9 & 10, 2024 from 9am – 4pm, rain or shine! GreenFest will be ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Classes, Events, Free, Garden Festival, Gardening, Greenfest, Hillsborough, Plant Sale, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Tsilvasy

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