Category: Conservation

Know Your Beef – The Myths of Meatless Mondays

by Bridget Stice and Jasi Romero

May 12, 2025

Every Monday, some groups urge Americans to skip meat in the name of “helping the planet.” But here’s the truth: U.S. beef production is NOT the environmental problem it’s often made out to be. These campaigns rely on global averages ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, 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, Polk County, Sustainability

Bellini Preserve Bioblitz – City Nature Challenge 2025

by Shannon Carnevale
March 21, 2025

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 25–28, 2025, community members across the region will join ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation
Tags: BioBlitz, Central Florida, City Nature Challenge, Conservation, Invasive Species, Polk County, Shannon Carnevale

Florida’s Carnivorous Plants, a spooky new episode from Naturally Florida!

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

October 22, 2024

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the state’s most fascinating plant groups: carnivorous plants. These spooky species have adapted to capture prey in some of Florida’s most nutrient-poor environments. We’ll talk about how they ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Carnivorous Plants, Naturally Florida Podcast, Podcast, Spooky Season

Atala Butterflies and Coontie Cycads: Signs of Damage and How to Protect the Butterflies

by Anne Yasalonis
September 10, 2024

There have been Atala butterflies sightings in and around Polk County, and while there is much information on the butterfly and its history of near extinction, it is important for homeowners and landscape managers to be on the lookout when ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes, Wildlife
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Atala, Atala Butterfly, Ayasalonis, Butterflies, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Flowers, Gardening, Jschelb, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Wildlife

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County’s Bioblitz Project on iNaturalist

by Shannon Carnevale
July 2, 2024

Have you been itching to try out iNaturalist? Your local UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Office is now a new “place” on the app and website! iNaturalist’s Newest Extension Project We’ve launched an iNaturalist project to inventory the ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tags: BioBlitz, Inaturalist, Polk County

Florida Pesticide Licenses: Right-of-Way

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 6, 2024

Florida is one of the most regulated states concerning pesticide applications. Florida has 13 different pesticide licenses with over 20 categories. This makes it difficult for applicators to understand what license is the one they need for a ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Pesticide License, Pesticide_applicator, Pesticide_protection, Right-of-way, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Licencias de pesticidas de Florida: Derecho de Paso (“Right-of-Way”)

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 6, 2024

Florida es uno de los estados más regulados en cuanto a aplicaciones de plaguicidas. Florida tiene 13 licencias de plaguicidas diferentes con más de 20 categorías. Esto dificulta que los aplicadores comprendan que licencia es la que necesitan ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Derecho-de-paso, En Espanol, Espanol, Pesticide License, Pesticide_applicator, Pesticide_protection, Right-of-way, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

2024 DeLuca Bioblitz: By The Numbers

by Shannon Carnevale
March 27, 2024

Engaging the Community in Biodiversity Conservation The 2024 DeLuca BioBlitz in Osceola County was nothing short of amazing, with an astounding 3,311 observations of 674 species by 43 observers. The collaborative spirit of the event led ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation
Tags: BioBlitz, DeLuca Preserve, Inaturalist, Shannon Carnevale

April 2024: UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Events

by Shannon Carnevale, Nicole Walker, Luis Rodriguez Rosado and Anne Yasalonis

March 15, 2024

Unearth the Excitement: UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Events Welcome to a season of discovery and community at UF/IFAS Extension Polk County! As we welcome the vibrant hues of spring, we’re excited to unveil a series of enthralling events ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Events, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Recreation
Tags: Central Florida, Florida Ecosystem, Polk County, Polkpesttraining, Vermicomposting

2024 City Nature Challenge Polk County

by Shannon Carnevale
March 13, 2024

Exploring Biodiversity The City Nature Challenge is an exciting global event that celebrates the wonders of nature right in our own backyards. Hosted by The Nature Conservancy, this four-day bioblitz encourages people of all ages to become community ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Natural Resources, Recreation,
Tags: BioBlitz, City Nature Challenge, Inaturalist, Polk County, Shannon Carnevale

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