Category: Conservation

Field Guide Face-Off Part 3: Cooter vs Slider

by Bridget Gerovac
September 25, 2026

Welcome to another installment of Field Guide Face-Off, a series I created to compare some of Florida's most commonly confused species and provide ways to tell them apart. We've spent quite a bit of time talking about and learning to identify ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Identification, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, St Lucie County, Turtles, UF/IFAS Extension

¿Encontraste una planta invasora? Esto es lo que debes hacer a continuación

by Sara MacDonald
September 23, 2026

Una vez que los residentes aprenden qué son las plantas invasoras, a menudo comienzan a ver sus propios jardines de manera diferente. Una planta que han cultivado durante años puede de repente generar una nueva pregunta: ¿Podría ser invasora? Y ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Ipm, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Found an Invasive Plant? Here’s What to Do Next

by Sara MacDonald
September 18, 2026

Once homeowners learn what invasive plants are, they often start seeing their own yards differently. A plant they have grown for years may suddenly raise a new question: Could this be invasive? And if it is, the next question is usually: “How ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Ipm, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Field Guide Face-Off Part 2: Great Egret vs Great White Heron

by Bridget Gerovac
September 11, 2026

Welcome to another installment of Field Guide Face-Off, a series I created to compare some of Florida's most commonly confused species and provide ways to tell them apart. This time were jumping right in and exploring another bird pair: Great ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, NATURAL RESOURCES, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: #wildlife, Birding, Conservation, Extension, Identification, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension

¿Ha oído hablar del avispón de patas amarillas? Lo que los propietarios de viviendas en Florida deben saber

by Sara MacDonald
September 9, 2026

Si disfruta pasar tiempo en su jardín, probablemente ha visto una buena cantidad de abejas, avispas y avispones. Pero ¿qué haría si encontrara un insecto que pareciera un avispón de patas amarillas? El avispón de patas amarillas (Vespa ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Invasive, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, UFIFASEnEspañol

Have You Heard of the Yellow-Legged Hornet? What Florida Homeowners Need to Know

by Sara MacDonald
September 8, 2026

If you enjoy spending time in your garden, you have probably seen your share of bees, wasps and hornets. But what would you do if you spotted an insect that looked like a yellow-legged hornet? The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is an ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, MGV, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Piense antes de fumigar: Cómo usar el Manejo Integrado de Plagas en su paisaje de Florida

by Sara MacDonald
September 4, 2026

¿Vio un insecto en su planta? No lo fumigue todavía. Encontrar un insecto en su planta favorita puede ser preocupante. Quizás se pregunte: “¿Está dañando mi planta?” o “¿Cómo puedo eliminarlo?”. Antes de buscar un pesticida, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Espanol, Florida Friendly Landscape, MGV, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Field Guide Face-Off Part 1: Anhinga vs Cormorant

by Bridget Gerovac
August 28, 2026

Have you ever been out on a walk or hike with others and confidently identified a nearby bird or plant, only to be told that you are mistaken? You aren't alone, this has happened to everyone. There are so many species that look alike. Sometimes ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, NATURAL RESOURCES, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: #wildlife, Bird, Identification, St Lucie County, UF/IFAS Extension

One Yard Can Inspire a Community: Karma Thomson Earns Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Gold Recognition

by Sara MacDonald
August 26, 2026

A landscape can be more than a beautiful view from the street. It can conserve water, support wildlife, protect Florida’s natural resources, and inspire an entire community. UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County is proud to recognize Karma Thomson, ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Recreation, UF/IFAS
Tags: Extension, Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

The Spread of the Python

by Bridget Gerovac
August 7, 2026

So the search begins... This week, I got the opportunity to participate in my very first python survey and potential removal! This started due to a potential sighting within a preserve so we were tasked with trying to confirm this identification ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, Wildlife

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