UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has launched a local pilot to recycle used pickleballs as part of our going “Beyond the Bin” recycling initiative to divert non-traditional, hard-to-recycle items. A typical pickleball is said to last ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation
Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate. Meet Tish Sacks Graduates form the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) routinely influence others with their knowledge of the natural world, ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Last week, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to extend the current Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Restrictions through October 1, 2026.Before officials enacted these restrictions earlier this year, we had ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Work & Life![a hand with an empty plastic water bottle reaches into a blue bin to recycle the waste. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/05/2016_Waste_recycleBottleBin01_ifasTylerJonesCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Waste Reduction & Recycling in Sarasota County The state has set targets for each Florida county to achieve a 75% waste stream recycling rate. Sarasota County is working to achieve these rates through increased recycling efforts, waste ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation
Summer rains will hopefully be here soon, bringing with them the potential for flooding. Litter, yard debris, and other objects can block the roadside inlets that route excess rainfall away from our homes. Keeping these storm drains clear is ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Water
World Ocean Day is today. It was created to advocate for and inspire people to take action every day, not just today. This year’s theme for World Ocean Day is Reimagine. The idea behind this year’s theme is to invite people to change ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources
Here in Florida, we are no strangers to algae. It occurs naturally in both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems. Our warm climate, ample sunlight, and slow-moving, shallow waters provide excellent habitats for many algal species. If you have ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
How Bad Is the Current Drought? Since the end of our rainy season in early fall, rainfall totals across west-central Florida have dropped dramatically. Local meteorologists report this has been one of the driest fall–winter periods in over ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Water
Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Euglossa dilemma: Florida's Brilliant New Orchid Bee If you've spotted a dazzling, iridescent green bee darting through your garden, you may have encountered one of Florida's most fascinating recent arrivals — the Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Wildlife, Work & Life