We live in a world where we are surrounded by plastics. We can find plastics from packaging materials to appliances and medical devices. Plastics have brought many societal benefits, but our current approach to plastic use and disposal have ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Some Caribbean countries and some parts of Florida are having problems with Sargassum seaweed. Sargassum is that golden/brown seaweed that washes up onto northeast Florida beaches when we have prolonged periods of winds out of the east, or when ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day. Most readers are probably aware that sea turtles nest on our local beaches during the summer months (May through October). Three species commonly nest on Florida beaches. Over the past five years (2015-19), 3,344 ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, , Water, Wildlife
The past month has been all about finding ways to adapt to this new COVID-19 situation! I have been working with several of my Florida Sea Grant Extension colleagues to develop some fabulous new resources. Some of these are specifically designed ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Events, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water, WildlifeFlorida Sea Grant has created several new environmental education resources to help students learning from home during the COVID-19 situation. Parents, students and teachers can find a wealth of educational materials, including lessons and information ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Curriculum, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Many people are probably familiar with the Portuguese Man-o-War. That’s the floating ocean animal that looks like an inflated plastic bag attached to long purple and blue tentacles. Oh, and those tentacles will deliver a nasty sting if you ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources,
Most of us Florida residents were shivering last week as we had our coldest air temperatures of this winter season so far. Yes, our northern friends and relatives laugh as we complain bitterly about high temperatures in the fifties. But these ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Some plastic products are labeled as “biodegradable,” “environmentally-friendly,” or “compostable.” All of these terms imply that the product will have a minimal or no negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately, the public ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, , WaterJune is a busy month for marine awareness. World Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8 and World Sea Turtle Day is June 16. This year there was a concerted effort to celebrate sea turtle week during the time between those two dates. The website ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
I always enjoy looking for sea beans when I am walking on the beach. What are sea beans? This name is used for a group of seeds that float in water. Many of the plants that produce these seeds grow in tropical or sub-tropical areas. Many grow ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources