“What are those!?”As a Florida native I take the regular presence of the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) for granted, but my out of state visitor was quite shaken both by their size and by their shrill call. To be fair, at just under ... READ MORE
Category: , Wildlife
Wondering how your landscape can protect the environment? The Water Wednesday Team has partnered with the UF/IFAS Communications and developed 11 videos to show you how your landscape can be both esthetically pleasing and environmental friendly. Click ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, Water
What are the differences between container, B&B, and bare root trees? After you have selected the right tree for your planting location, next you must decide what kind of tree to get. The three main nursery root stalks available are container, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
I was recently ask a set of complicated questions about how long Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) live. Question: "Is it true that live oaks only live for about 60 years?" Answer: No. Live oaks can live for well over 60 years, often ... READ MORE
Category: Forests, Horticulture
Proper tree pruning is vital for tree health and vitality. When pruning it is important to use the 3-cut method. The first cut is the undercut. This prevents the bark from ripping down the trunk when cutting the second cut. The second cut ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Lawn
This past summer while on vacation in Tennessee I had the opportunity to take my horse crazy six-year-old niece on her very first trail ride. As the horse-crazy girl of my own generation I felt like I was participating in an important ritual, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Natural Resources, Recreation
Contrary to popular opinion, bats are not winged mice; in fact, they aren’t rodents at all but members of the taxonomic order Chiroptera (meaning hand-wing). Bats are unique in that they are the only mammals capable of flight. There are thirteen ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife
Hiking is one of my very favorite ways to spend my leisure time. Between the Ocala National Forest, the Seminole State Forest, several State parks, an abundance of wildlife management areas, and a beautiful variety of local parks, I am fairly ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Agriculture means business in the state of Florida. It is the state’s 2nd largest economic driver and the top industry in times of economic downturn. According to a recent report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Recreation
Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are one of five tortoise species native to North America and the only species found east of the Mississippi River. At one time the tortoise could be found as far north as North Carolina and as far West ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife