Category: Conservation

An image of a group of people standing together in front of a large oak tree after a class.

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold CordesAvatar photo
June 3, 2026

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
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers
potential shoppers walk along a sidewalk in a downtown business district, as potted plants frame a business doorway and a bike leans against a storefront window. [credit: uf/ifas, javier edwards]

Please Welcome Our Newest Green Business Partner: Sarasota Alliance for Historical Preservation

by Randy Penn
May 21, 2026

We want to wish a hearty welcome to our newest Green Business Partnership member: Sarasota Alliance for Historical Preservation. About the Green Business Partner Key information about our newest partner, as shared by the company. Sarasota ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation
Tags: Business Recycling, GBP, Green Business, Green Business Partnership, Historical Preservation, Pgm_Waste
An image of a group of people standing together in front of a large oak tree after a class.

Meet Dr. Mary Davis: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Zahir Ringgold Cordes and Katherine ClementsZahir Ringgold Cordes, Environmental Education and Outreach Program Assistant for UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County's Ecology and Natural Resources Program
April 6, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Dr. Davis This is Dr. Mary Davis, a retired PhD Ecologist and Sarasota County volunteer. She is also a Florida Master Naturalist Program graduate. ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, FMNP, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers
someone dressed as a tree out in a park with a family

Agents of Discovery Goes to the Beach! South County Parks and Preserves in April and May

by Katherine Clements
March 27, 2026

Agents of Discovery Goes to the Beach! This time around, Agents of Discovery will be live our first beach park to have a mission! Put on your Special Agent gear and head on down to North Jetty Park in Nokomis to explore nature like never before! ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Relationships & Family, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Agents Of Discovery, AgentsOfDiscovery, AoD, Beach, Family, Family Friendly, Gaming, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Youth
A tile mosaic of birds, trees and flowers.

Love Butterfly Gardening? Here’s How to Take It to the Next Level

by Ashley Ellis
February 22, 2026

If you’ve planted milkweed (Asclepias spp.) for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), passionvine (Passiflora incarnata or other native Passiflora spp.) for Gulf fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae), or added nectar flowers to bring in swallowtails ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Pgm_HortRes, Sarasota County Extension
young hands, cradled by older hands, hold a pile of soil with a young plant growing from it. [credit: pixabay.com, shameers rk]

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Launches New “Master Waste Reduction Educator” Program

by Randy Penn
February 6, 2026

Be part of Sarasota County’s first-ever Master Waste Reduction Educator Program! UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension is launching the inaugural Master Waste Reduction Educator Program. This immersive, six-week experience is designed to empower ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Composting, Master, Master Waste Reduction Educator, MWRE, Pgm_Waste, Recycle, Waste Reduction
someone dressed as a tree out in a park with a family

Complete All Four New Year, New Missions During January-March 2026 and Get a Field Agent Prize!

by Katherine Clements
December 31, 2025

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
Tags: AgentsOfDiscovery, Family, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Youth
the crowd at the 2025 Sustainable Communities Workshop

Highlights of the 20th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop

by Michelle Marinangel
December 19, 2025

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
Tags: Community, Environment, Events, Pgm_Sustain, SCW, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

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