Category: Natural Resources

Backyard Habitat: Gardening for Wildlife


May 20, 2026

Florida is one of the most biologically diverse states in the nation! We are home to more than 700 terrestrial wildlife species and have the 3rd largest wild bird population in the US. With close to 1,000 new Floridians moving here each day, ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Wildlife
Tags: Backyard Wildlife, FFL, Florida Wildlife, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening For Wildlife, OC MGV, Ocextension
dark stormy sky with a blue evacuation route sign

Hurricane Season Begins June 1: Time to Prepare


May 14, 2026

June 1 marks the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30. Recent seasons have reminded us how active and unpredictable hurricane activity can be, especially here in Florida. Now is the time to review your ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Disaster Preparation, HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Disaster Preparation, Disaster Resources, Food Safety, Hurricane, Hurricane Kit, Hurricane Prep, Hurricane Preparations, Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricanes, Ocextension, Orange County, Tree Risk
big blue sign that says Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension Education Center with an UF/IFAS logo and an Orange County logo. there are green trees and blue sky in the background.

Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes


May 13, 2026

As we head into summer, it’s a great time to build new skills and plan ahead. Our May classes include opportunities to learn about gardening, sustainability, financial well-being, and healthy living through practical, research-based ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Events, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Money Matters, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Classes, Events, Extension Education, Learning, Ocextension, Orangecountyfl, Ufifasextension

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Teaching Youth About Invasive Species


March 19, 2026

Welcome back to our Florida’s Hidden Invaders Blog Series where we focus on spreading awareness of invasive species and their impacts. In this section we will focus on teaching youth about invasive species. Studies show that learning through ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Invasive Species
Tags: 4-H, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Invasive Species, Ocextension, Summer Camp, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Youth Educational Game
close up photo of green turf grass, showing individuals blades of grass

2/18/26 GI-BMP in Orange County + Sun Spot Safety Lunch with Swag!


January 29, 2026

That is right! Fertilizer is regulated in Florida, including in Orange County and beyond. You are required to learn about it and follow the rules. We want to keep things interesting and beneficial for you, the landscape professionals. This year, ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Certified Instructor, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Class, Classes, Clean Water, Continuing Education, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Class, Fertilizer Training, Gibmp, Grass, Grass Class, Green Industries Best Management Practices, Green Industry, Hwooten, Orange County, Regulated Fertilizer, Train, Trainer, Training, Turf, Turfgrass, Water, Water Glass
a blue fountain filled with plants surrounded by shell walkways and layers of green, maroon and pink plants in the background.

UF/IFAS Extension Orange County Commercial Horticulture Classes–2026


December 11, 2025

Good things are growing in Orange County, Florida! Let’s keep our minds as sharp as our tools and learn together in 2026. The exciting line-up of classes is designed to build upon topics from the basics to specifics of commercial horticulture ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: BMP, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Fertilizer, FFL, Florida, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Hwooten, IPM, Landscape, Landscape Management, Orange County, Palm, Palm; Palms; Turf, Palms, Pest Control, Tree, Trees, Turfgrass; Best Practices; Bmp; Bmps, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County
closeup of fertilizer being sprayed by a spreader

Help Shape the Future of Landscaping Education in Orange County – and Win a Composter!


October 15, 2025

We want to hear from you! UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is conducting a short survey to better understand how residents use fertilizers and make landscaping decisions. Whether you're a full blown gardening enthusiast or maintain a modest ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Compost, Compost Bin, Fertilize, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Ordinance, Fertilizing, Free Composter, Local Fertilizer Ordinance, Ocextension, Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance, Survey, Win A Composter
a close up of a jar of peanut butter with a blurry black background with peanuts

Peanut Butter Challenge 2025 – Spread the Word


September 25, 2025

Knock Knock. Who’s there? Peanut. Peanut who? Peanut, butter open the door! We will begin the Peanut Butter Challenge in October, so please spread the news! The Peanut Butter Challenge runs from Monday, September 29th through October ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Events, HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Donate, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Food Banks, Food Pantries, Ocextension, PBChallenge, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Spread The Love, Spread The Peanut Butter

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