Category: Wildlife

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
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
Alligator at Paynes Prairie. UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Wofford. File 025912

“Florida’s Most Recognizable Reptile, the American Alligator” – A new episode from Naturally Florida!

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara MilliganAvatar photo
August 18, 2025

When alligators are in the news, it's not usually because they did something amazing or saved someone's life. In fact, it's often the opposite. These often maligned reptiles are part of life in Florida. They are critical species for the ... READ MORE

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

“Birds and Their Houses: Cavity Nesters in Florida” – a new episode from Naturally Florida about birdhouses

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara MilliganAvatar photo
August 18, 2025

Are you interested in learning about which birds use birdhouses in Florida? Only certain types of birds will use birdhouses, also known as nestboxes, and each species has a specific type of birdhouse they will use. Cavity-nesting birds ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Birds, Lara Milligan, Living With Wildlife, Naturally Florida Podcast, Shannon Carnevale
Roseate spoonbill and an unidentified shorebird in a tidal marsh.

“American White Pelicans: Florida’s Other Snowbird” a New Episode from Naturally Florida!

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara MilliganAvatar photo
August 18, 2025

American white pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America with wingspans up to 9.5 feet across. These majestic birds migrate to Florida for winter feeding grounds, before retreating north and west for the breeding season. Floridians ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Wildlife, Lara Milligan, Living With Wildlife, Migratory Birds, Naturally Florida Podcast, Shannon Carnevale, Water, White Pelicans

New Episode from Naturally Florida: “Coyotes are here to stay!”

by Lara Milligan and Shannon Carnevalelara milligan
August 18, 2025

You have probably seen headlines about coyote population explosions, or perhaps your NextDoor app has informed you about recent coyote sightings in your neighborhood. Coyotes still feel like a relatively new species here in Florida, but they ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Coyotes, Invasive Species, Lara Milligan, Living With Wildlife, Lmilligan, Naturally Florida Podcast, Podcast, Range Change, Shannon Carnevale

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