For centuries humans have been interested in what is on the bottom of the sea. Stories and legends arose of mermaids and magical cities like Atlantis. From the science side of things, the interest was there as well. In the mid-nineteenth century geology students were told the ocean floor was a featureless landscape made of…
Early in the morning of Day 1 of the cruise the water of the open Gulf of Mexico was like glass. There were no ripples on the surface, but it was rolling with small swells. The water was colored a deep cobalt blue – the Deep Blue of the open sea. As I glanced over…
Florida’s year-round growing season is a great reason to love gardening. While we have different seasons, the one constant for our plants is the soil that they’re grown in. While we can control our plant’s water and fertilizer needs, we can’t always control the soil that they’re grown in. One easy metric to determine soil…
Mistaken Identities
Look closely at the landscape. Creeping, crawling, and climbing slowly among our landscapes and natural areas lie plants of mistaken identities. Growing amongst our plants and trees, we may see vines. Vines grow along the ground or into the canopies of our trees. Left with minimal control, these vines continue to grow, continue…
In the Vines of Mistaken Identify, we’re exploring the different types of vines commonly called “invasive” around Nassau County. Rather, in fact, these vines are not invasive and many of them are native too, which provides amazing benefits to our ecosystem and environment. It’s Important Value The Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is one of our…
In the Vines of Mistaken Identify, we’re exploring the different types of vines commonly called “invasive” around Nassau County. Rather, in fact, these vines are not invasive and many of them are native too, which provides amazing benefits to our ecosystem and environment. It’s Important Value Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is one of our vines…
In this blog… Introduction Macroinvertebrates Field guide Water quality Experiment Introduction What’s lurking in Florida’s freshwater? Well, many things, to be quite frank. From fish to birds to the occasional river otter, people can expect to find several wonders in the freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers that Florida has to offer. Now, a question…
All February we have celebrated National Pesticide Safety Education month, and have discussed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Well we have finally come to the last one, It’s Closing Time, and we have a final heads up on PPE. At the end you will hopefully understand that SDS isn’t just a catchy song, but a vital part to knowing Where…
Florida means citrus Florida is synonymous with citrus. No better juice-producing trees are grown in the world. Yet finding 100% Florida orange juice is becoming a challenge. Global markets have made juice too inexpensive for Florida growers to compete. A disease known as HLB or citrus greening has made citrus expensive to grow for commercial…
A pond near Bayou Chico in Pensacola covered with Giant Salvinia.
Photo: Escambia County Division of Natural Resources
Like the setting of a campy sci-fi movie, alien invaders are all around us. Often innocuous looking or even possessing vibrant colors and attractive features, they slowly creep into our communities and make themselves at home.…
If you interested in attracting butterflies to your yard, then this class is for you! Join UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County on Thursday March 9th from 10 to 11:30am to learn what to plant when to get your butterfly garden started. This class will be offered as a hybrid format so you can join in person…
Dr. Matthew ThomasFORT PIERCE, Fla.—To usher in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, scientists in Florida—the epicenter of invasive plant and insect infestations—will host Matthew Thomas, a leader who was hired to head the more than 120 researchers working with invasive species statewide. Thomas directs the UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research Institute, the university’s young…
