News & Updates

Connections and Consumption

The role of the individual often comes to the foreground in social discussions. For example, when learning about wellness, goal-setting, accountability, and success, you have likely encountered the popular ideal of a single person achieving victory with no one else’s help or support. In this scenario, this triumphant person stands alone, utterly unmoved by the…

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Connect with your local food system this World Food Day

World Food Day is celebrated globally each year on October 16. Those in Central Florida can celebrate with local UF/IFAS Extension events throughout October. In 2021, 13.5 million U.S. households were food insecure, meaning they lacked reliable and consistent access to affordable and nutritious food, according to the USDA. In Florida, one in eight people face…

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Beware of contractor fraud!

In the wake of Hurricane Ian (or any similar disaster), if you’re facing home or property repairs, now is the time to pull out that list of reliable contractors you prepared well in advance of the storm, as noted in our preparedness blog posts. If you don’t have that list ready/handy—perhaps, even if you do—you could…

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October First Friday with Florida First Detector

Recap of October First Friday with Florida First Detector On October 7th, we covered  resources for identification of plant problems. This was the second class in our First Friday series that built upon the basics of invasive species that we learned in September. We started by covering many of the important agencies and groups involved…

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The Dolphin Tour

I recent took my granddaughter on a dolphin tour out of Pensacola Beach.  It was amazing.  It was a cool October morning, not a cloud in the sky, the winds were calm, the water crystal clear due to the lack of rain over the past few weeks, and the dolphins were out. They are amazing…

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Florida Land Steward Update, October 7, 2022

HURRICANE IAN RECOVERY We are thinking of those in southwest Florida who are facing a long road to recovery from Hurricane Ian. Many are now dealing with widespread destruction of crops, trees, buildings, fencing, and other property and infrastructure loss due to substantial wind and water damage. For producers located in counties where the USDA…

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Spotlight on Florida Master Naturalist Craig Weyandt, Superintendent-The Moorings at Hawks Nest Golf Course

The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors. We’re highlighting graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) as part of a series. This blog features my interview with Florida Master Naturalist Craig Weyandt, Superintendent -The Moorings at Hawks Nest…

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Help Protect our Manatees!

Protecting Manatees is important especially here in Manatee County!  Please do you part to help our mascot and namesake. Protecting Manatees factsheet found HERE For more information contact MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu or 941-722-4524 x1818 by Michelle Atkinson Source: UF/IFAS Pest Alert Note: All images and contents are the property of UF/IFAS.

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It’s #PeanutButterChallenge Time!

Food Insecurity in Florida Food insecurity is an obstacle many Floridians face. In 2021, it was estimated that roughly 2.2 million Floridians lacked access to healthy food, with just over 660,000 of which being children. In Orange County specifically, 13.8% of our residents, nearly 191,090 individuals, face food insecurity. During the month of October, the Peanut Butter Challenge is…

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Post Storm Landscape Tips

Immediately following storm: Identify and manage potential hazards Get help with any debris or branches near power/communication lines Watch for lifting roots that may interact with underground utilities or irrigation Check for leaning trees and hanging limbs, contact a professional arborist to assess Stand up smaller leaning trees Trees with trunks less than 4 inches in…

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Weekly “What is it?”: Coastal groundcherry

    An undisturbed dune in Perdido Key is full of ecological treasures. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension Back in the day, pirates would scour the beaches for hidden treasure. On a recent trip out with a group of botanists and biologists, we combed the dunes of Perdido Key for a specific plant that hosts…

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