Hey there, fellow nature explorer! Let's talk about a couple of feathered friends you might run into around wet and watery spots in Pinellas County: the American Coot and the Common Gallinule. You can catch them chilling by lakes, ponds, and ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
Fall weather is on the horizon, which hopefully means we will all be spending some more time outside. Perhaps you’re already a bird watcher, but if not, this article might pique your interest. Did you know that we have 25 species of birds ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Rebekah Heppner, Master Gardener Volunteer Trainee No, that’s not a typo. I don’t meant truth, I mean truce. As in the truce my cats (who live on the inside of my screen porch) and the birds (who live outside of it) have reached. I planted ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Work & LifeRebekah Heppner, Master Gardener Volunteer Trainee There, I said it. Yes, I’m a Master Gardener Volunteer, a trainee to be exact. But I don’t do this for the love of plants. I’m not kidding. I don’t really even like plants. When I ... READ MORE
Category: , Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Work & Life
Florida - The Land of Flowers Ponce de Leon named Florida in 1512. "La Florida," he called this land, Spanish for flowery, covered with flowers, or abounding in flowers. Yet our landscapes of today are mostly green masses of foreign lawns, ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Birds Are Starving Exotic (non-native) plants do not support the caterpillars that native birds need for food, causing birds to starve to death. If birds can’t find enough caterpillars, they can’t reproduce and they and their young starve. Birds ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Wildlife, Work & Life
Have you ever thought about the value of birds? I mean, the value in dollars. There over 18,000 birds on this planet; all are different and all play a role in keeping Florida ecosystems healthy. They can also keep us and our economy healthy ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Did you know it is very dangerous for your cat to be outside? Cats left outside are attacked and killed by dogs, coyotes and other predators. They frequently get in fights and are scratched, bitten, maimed, infected and even killed. ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Work & LifeIt’s that time of year! Swallow-tailed Kites are returning to Florida from their winter homes in South America. You will often spot these large, distinct black and white birds soaring and cutting through the air as they feed while flying. Swallow-tailed ... READ MORE
Category: WildlifeValentine’s Day doesn’t exclude wildlife. This time of year you might notice some extraordinary changes in colors, sounds and overall appearance of some animal species; especially the birds. The process in which birds develop new feathers ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Wildlife