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August 29, 2023

Meet the Barnacle

You might say this is a strange title – “meet the barnacle” – because everyone knows what a barnacle is… or do they? As a marine science instructor, I gave my students what is called a lab practical.  This is a test where you move around the room and answer questions about different creatures preserved…

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August 29, 2023

Meet the Barnacle

You might say this is a strange title – “meet the barnacle” – because everyone knows what a barnacle is… or do they? As a marine science instructor, I gave my students what is called a lab practical.  This is a test where you move around the room and answer questions about different creatures preserved…

Read more

August 28, 2023

Volunteering in Nature: A Legacy of Love for The Outdoors

Welcome back to Volunteering In Nature, a blog series that explores the wonderful world of volunteering for UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County’s ecology and natural resources program. So far, we have shared all about the ecology and natural resources program and volunteer opportunities, and a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the important contributions that volunteers have made to our…

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August 28, 2023

Weekly “What is it?”: Bioretention

      A typical stormwater pond collects water from several acres in a neighborhood. Photo credit: Michelle Diller Managing stormwater runoff is an ongoing issue for neighborhoods and municipalities nationwide. Preventing impacts of potential flooding is usually the most immediate concern. But more long-lasting are the legacies of water quality decline left by the contaminants that wash…

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August 25, 2023

Weed of the Month: Spotted Spurge

Spotted spurge is a low-growing broad leaf weed, native to North America. This summer annual is not picky about where it grows – lawns, cracks in sidewalks, nurseries, gardens, athletic fields, and nursery containers. This plant produces copious amounts of sticky seeds that are easily spread by animals or lawn equipment. These seeds…

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August 25, 2023

The Buzz about Bees in Florida

Bees, those tiny yet industrious creatures, have been silently playing a crucial role in sustaining our economy and environment. The mesmerizing dance of honeybees, gathering nectar from vibrant flowers, not only produces the golden elixir known as honey but also supports the pollination of countless crops that feed us. However, as we witness the alarming…

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August 24, 2023

World Mosquito Day

Did you know that World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20th to celebrate Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery of how the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) is transmitted from female Anopheles mosquitos to humans? According to the CDC, in 2020 alone, there were about 241 million malaria cases worldwide, of which 627,000 people died. While malaria is common…

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August 24, 2023

Making PPE Exciting!

Hello Avid Readers! Last week I spoke at an extension event for peanut growers in north Florida. The growers needed to get CEUs in Core material. For those of you who aren’t in the know, this basically means they needed to learn about pesticide safety. As this topic can be dry I did my best…

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August 23, 2023

The Antioxidant Power in Herbs and Spices

Herbs are the leaves of plants, and spices are the roots, bark, and seeds (anything that is not a leaf). Adding herbs and spices into cooking goes beyond adding flavor; they add surprising protective health benefits.  Herbs and spices are some of the most anti-inflammatory foods because they are packed with antioxidants! For instance,…

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August 23, 2023

Shining a spotlight on exterior lighting

Do you wake up to find calling cards left under your porch light by frogs and lizards? We can all agree that cleaning up the mess every morning is certainly annoying. Well, there’s an easy and inexpensive way to end the nightly poo-party without the use of pesticides, or any other product for that matter,…

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