Category: Community Volunteers

Training for Impact: 2025’s Energy Upgrade Program Evolves

by Casey McCabe
August 28, 2025

A Short History of the Energy Upgrade Program The Energy Upgrade program was established in 2012 to educate homeowners in Sarasota County on energy and water efficiency. In 2016, based on community research, the program expanded to include ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Home Management, Money Matters, Professional Development
Tags: Assistance, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Learn, Pgm_Sustain, Professional Development, Sustainability, Training

An Open Door to Growing More: Become a Master Gardener

by Ashley Ellis
July 28, 2025

Are you passionate about plants, sustainable landscapes, and community education? The UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office is now accepting applications for the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) training course! We’re looking for ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscape, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes

LIFE Field Trips: Students Experience Florida’s Environment

by Katherine Clements and Evelyn Spencer

July 10, 2025

What is LIFE? The Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program is a science-based educational experience that engages 4th and 5th grade students in Sarasota County in 1-hour preparatory in-class presentations followed by a 3-hour field ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Ecology, Learning In Florida's Environment, LIFE, Natural Resources, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Science

Meet Margaret Monti: A Florida Master Naturalist Program Success Story

by Katherine Clements
June 20, 2025

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Florida Master Naturalist Courses Inspire a Life of Volunteerism and Nature Immersion Like many Florida residents, Margaret Monti is a transplant. ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Conservation, Course, Ecology, Florida Master Naturalist Program, FMNP, Fmnp-in-srq, Learn, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Wildlife

Meet Bob Frank: A Florida Master Naturalist Program Success Story

by Katherine Clements
May 20, 2025

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Bob Frank, Conservation Ambassador Amateur photographer Bob Frank spent his career as a college professor in Ohio before retiring to Florida ... READ MORE

Recognizing Extension Volunteers

by kgeis
May 16, 2025

UF/IFAS Extension volunteers had a big day April 22. In the morning, Sarasota County commissioners showered them (and other county volunteers) with accolades for the services they have provided across a range of programs and activities. Then, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Admin, Sarasota County Extension, Volunteer, Volunteering_in_nature

Meet Suzy Nolan: A Florida Master Naturalist Program Success Story

by Katherine Clements
March 21, 2025

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Suzy Nolan, Volunteer Extraordinaire Indianapolis native Suzy Nolan grew up hiking and observing nature, but it wasn’t until the travel ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Conservation, Course, Ecology, Florida Master Naturalist Program, FMNP, Fmnp-in-srq, Learn, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Wildlife

Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer: Rooted in Passion, Blooming in Service

by Ashley Ellis
December 30, 2024

Meet a Master Gardener Welcome to our "Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer" blog series, where we spotlight the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact in our community through their passion for horticulture and education. In this ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Friendly, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes

Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer: Sarasota County Reading Gardens

by Ashley Ellis
December 20, 2024

Meet a Master Gardener Welcome to our “Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer” blog series, where we spotlight the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact in our community through their passion for horticulture and education. ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Friendly, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_HortRes

Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer: Cultivating Gratitude Through Service

by Ashley Ellis
November 27, 2024

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_HortRes

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