Category: Natural Resources

Polk County “City Nature Challenge” 2026

by Shannon Carnevale
April 23, 2026

Participate in the City Nature Challenge BioBlitz The City Nature Challenge is a global celebration of biodiversity—and you can be part of it right here in Polk County. From April 24–26, 2026, community members across the region will join ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, Wildlife
Tags: BioBlitz, Citizen Science, City Nature Challenge, Inaturalist, Polk County, Shannon Carnevale
Several blind mosquitoes (Glyptotendipes paripes) sitting on a blade of grass.

Aquatic Midges, also known as “Blind Mosquitoes”

by Shannon Carnevale
April 23, 2026

Blind mosquitoes are a type of freshwater midge. This particular type of midge does not bite, suck blood, or carry diseases. However, blind mosquitoes can still be a nuisance and their populations are often extremely difficult to manage. Read ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Water
Tags: Aquatic Midges, Blind Mosquitoes, Freshwater Midges, Midges, Mosquitoes, Paxton Evans, Shannon Carnevale
Boat traffic in the Gulf of Mexico near Ft. Myers, Florida.

Hurricane Prep: Securing Your Boat

by Shannon Carnevale
April 22, 2026

Hurricanes are incredibly violent storms that can bring intense winds, heavy rain, floods, storm surge, landslides, tornadoes, and coastal erosion. These storms are capable of causing incredible damage, and the key to protecting your boat is ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Natural Resources
Tags: Boating, Disaster, Hurricane, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Preparedness, Paxton Evans, Shannon Carnevale, Storm
Barn owl with rodent in beak

New Episode from Naturally Florida: “Rat Poisons and Wildlife: What’s the Big Deal?”

by Lara Milligan and Shannon Carnevalelara milligan
March 12, 2026

Rodenticides are a specific type of pesticide used to control rats and mice, also known as rat poisons, but they can have impacts throughout the food chain if not used correctly. In this episode, we will explore the science behind rodenticides, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Tags: Integrated Pest Management, Lmilligan, Naturally Florida Podcast, Pest Management, Rats, Rodenticides, Shannon Carnevale
Pond at Natural Areas Teaching Laboratory (NATL).

Florida’s state bird is not the flamingo … at least, not yet!

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara MilliganAvatar photo
March 9, 2026

If you scroll through social media this week, you might think Florida already has a brand new state bird. A lot of posts say the flamingo has officially taken the crown. But hold on. That is not true, yet! So, the northern mockingbird is still ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Lara Milligan, Living With Wildlife, Naturally Florida Podcast, Shannon Carnevale

Reassessing Meatless Monday: A Scientific Perspective on the Role of Meat in Sustainable Diets

by Bridget Stice and Jasi RomeroAvatar photo
November 3, 2025

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk Meatless Monday campaigns urge the public to skip meat one day a week to "improve health and protect the planet". While reducing excessive consumption of any food can be beneficial, blanket campaigns ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Health & Nutrition, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: Agriculture, Beef, Bstice, Featured, Livestock, Meat, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkco, SFBF, Sustainability

How to easily grow Florida native milkweed in sandy landscapes

by Anne Yasalonis and polkmgAvatar photo
October 10, 2025

To support monarch butterflies, the University of Florida and other conservation groups recommend Florida native milkweed species as host and nectar plants. Currently, there are three native milkweed species that are most commonly found ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, , Wildlife
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Butterflies, Butterfly, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Flowers, Gardening, Master Gardener Volunteer, Milkweed, Monarch, Native Plants, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkgardening, Polkmg, Pollinators, Sandy Soil, UF/IFAS, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Southwest Small Farmers Network Meeting Fall 2025

by David Outerbridge
October 7, 2025

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Southwest Florida Small Farmers Network held our late summer/early fall meeting at ECHO Global Farm in Fort Myers, FL. The focus of the meeting was Community Food Systems, Agroecology, and information on ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Tags: Southwest Florida Small Farms Network, Southwest Small Farmers Network

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