UF/IFAS
Extension Sarasota County

Category: Water

Putting on the (Bio)Blitz


September 13, 2024

Last month, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County offered its first ever Dipnets and Donuts: Pond BioBlitz event. It was a great success, with several species spotted in our ponds at Twin Lakes Park. Participants worked in groups and used dipnets ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Biodiversity, Citizen Science, Ecology, Environment, Inaturalist, Pgm_Chemicals, Pgm_Water, Survey
An image of children and an adult standing at the edge of river, looking at white birds on the other side of the river through binoculars.

Looking Back on LIFE: A Successful Year for Sarasota County’s Award Winning Youth Education Program


July 1, 2024

Malala Yousafzai, youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient and youth advocate for the power of education and equal opportunity for girls, famously said, "The world is shaped by the dreams and ambitions of its young minds." As we work to address ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Environment, LIFE Program, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Youth Development, Youth Education
Yellow flowers against background of green leaves

Hot & Dry: Landscape Management for Florida’s Dry Season

Avatar photo
June 27, 2024

Florida's dry season can be a challenge for residential lawns and landscapes. The hot dry conditions can quickly deplete moisture from our sandy soils, leaving turf brown and landscape plants wilted. Because of these conditions, the dry season ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Turf, Water
Tags: Conservation, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Irrigation, Landscape, Pgm_HortRes, Pgm_Water, Plants, Water
Before and After Landscape aerial.

Discover Florida: Flip My Yard Season 3 – A Must-Watch for Creating Sustainable Florida-Friendly Landscapes!

Ashley Ellis, Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator in Sarasota County.
June 24, 2024

Introduction to Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Whether you’ve recently moved to Florida or have lived here for years, you’ve likely faced gardening challenges. To help, local governments, regulatory agencies, landscaping professionals ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: FFL, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Plant, Pgm_HortRes, Sarasota County, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Wildlife
Mosquito on skin

Mosquito FAQs


June 21, 2024

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially the species that pose a public health risk. Below are some of the common questions we receive from our clients at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County and Sarasota County's Mosquito Management Services. Why ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Awareness, Control, Entomology, Management, Mosquito, Pgm_Chemicals, Treatment
A collection of 3 images of a tortoise, a softshell turtle sticking its long neck out, and a cooter freshwater turtle eating floating aquatic vegetation.

Wild Sarasota: Turtle Talk


May 17, 2024

Have you ever wondered what makes a turtle different from a tortoise? These fascinating creatures are often confused due to their similar appearances. Read on to learn how to distinguish between the two, and to understand how you can help protect ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Animals, Conservation, Environment, Gopher Tortoise, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Turtles, Wild Sarasota, Wildlife
Low maintenance landscape

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Forbs


May 14, 2024

Low-Maintenance Forbs Forbs are herbaceous, flowering plants that you can use to bring a variety of colors and textures to your landscape. Keep reading to learn about some forbs that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Edible, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forbs, Herbs, Landscaping, Lml, Low, Low-maintenace, Low-maintenance Landscaping, Maintenance, Native, Pgm_Water, Pollinators
Image of homes along pond with shoreline vegetation and trees.

New Neighborhood Best Practices Program Provides Key Tools for Building Healthy Communities

Ashley Ellis, Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator in Sarasota County.
May 1, 2024

Are you a homeowner living within a Homeowners Association (HOA) or serving on its board? Managing common areas like landscaping, trees, and stormwater ponds effectively can often be a challenge. But, fret not! There's a new initiative tailored ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Coastal Systems, Community Gardens, Florida Certified Arborists, Florida Friendly, HOA, Irrigation, Pgm_Chemicals, Pgm_HortRes, Preservation Area, Stormwater Ponds, Trees, Urban Wildlife, Water Conservation, Water Quality

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