The Sustainable Communities Workshop (SCW) celebrated its 20-year milestone by inspiring and informing many in our community and celebrating successes as we explored the theme “Then, Now, Next: 20 Years of Sustainable Communities.” Topics ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
What is Agents of Discovery? Agents of Discovery is an award-winning educational mobile game that turns the great outdoors into an interactive learning experience. Turn your next park visit into a mission and explore nature like never before! ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
The same delicious fats, oils, and grease that make Thanksgiving dishes so rich and flavorful also pose a hidden threat to your home's plumbing and the community's sewer lines. When washed down the drain, these seemingly harmless substances—found ... READ MORE
Category: Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water![a digital meat thermometer reads 165.3 degrees fahrenheit while checking chicken on a barbecue grill. [credit: uf/ifas, tyle jones; edit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/2017_FCS_foodsafetyGrillingThermometer01UPDATE165F_ifasJonesTyler_CROP1650x470.jpg)
Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Work & Life![a group of young adults sits at a table in a restaurant/bar, with "brewing ideas" pint glasses, sharing conversation. [credit: unsplash.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/11/2025_Waste_brewideasGroupAtBar_unsplashSergeyTarasov_EDITicon1650x470TINY.png)
Cheers to "Brewing Ideas with UF/IFAS"! We launched this innovative series last month, to bring together community members and local experts for an evening of open discussion on relevant environmental solutions. The goals were simple: make ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Water, Wildlife
Are you looking to find more ways for you and your family to ex•plore all Sarasota County has to offer? From award-winning beaches to natural areas and trails, from mangrove tunnels to fishing holes, birding sites, gardens and more, Sarasota ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Events, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
Have you ever gone outside at night and wished you could see more stars? In the United States, 99% of the public cannot experience a natural night sky because of light pollution (Dark Sky, 2016). Light pollution is caused by inefficient ... READ MORE
Category: Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
As our world becomes more digitized and urbanized, it may seem more challenging to choose to spend time outdoors. Yet, spending that time outside and connecting with nature on a deeper emotional level provides numerous proven benefits for ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources
Today’s youth are spending less and less time outdoors connecting with nature. Why does this matter? For both nature lovers and those who may be a little hesitant when it comes to spending time outdoors, there are a variety of mental, physical, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Relationships & Family![a person paddles a kayak through calm waters in sarasota county, during a uf/ifas extension sarasota county outing. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/10/2025_Multi_blogKayak_wCompass1650x470.png)
For many, Sarasota County brings to mind images of white-sand beaches and turquoise Gulf waters. But for those willing to venture just a little inland, a different kind of aquatic world awaits—a wilder, more primeval Florida. We recently ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Water, Work & Life