A Brief Explanation About Triploid Oysters
When you sit down and enjoy some fresh, farmed oysters during the summer, you might notice that the oyster is not watery but yet plump and full of meat, unlike the usual wild oysters. These farmed oysters are very special and are called “triploid oysters.” What makes...
We Did It; In 2023 Less Than 30% of the Fecal Bacteria Samples Collected in the Pensacola Bay Area Required a Health Advisory
Health advisories issued by the Department of Health (DOH) due to high levels of fecal bacteria have been a problem for some parts of the Pensacola Bay system for decades. Though most of the samples collected near our beaches rarely require them (usually between...
From Seed to Shuck – More Oyster 101
When you hear about oyster farming, you typically hear the word “seed” and how it is highly important to the future of the farm. While it might not be a typical seed that produces agricultural crops like corn, this seed is a living, breathing (albeit in the water)...
2023 Pensacola Bay Snake Watch Annual Report
I began this project in 2022 wanting to know which of the 40 species of snakes known to inhabit the Pensacola Bay area were encountered by people. I also wanted to know where they were encountering them and what time of year. This information would be used...
Cottonmouths of Our Barrier Islands
I am going to end 2023 with an article on a project I hope to conduct in 2024. It will focus on insular cottonmouths and will focus on the western panhandle, though those in the eastern panhandle might be interested and could help. For obvious reasons,...
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
According to Druid lore, hanging the plant in homes would bring good luck and protection. Holly was considered sacred because it remained green and strong with brightly colored red berries no matter how harsh the winter. Most other plants would wilt and...
The Last of Fall Foliage is Still Available in the Panhandle
Fall color and leaf peeping is usually the last thing people think of on the Gulf Coast. Indeed, most people bemoan our lack of fall foliage and do not realize that if you know where to look beautiful fall vistas can still be seen. When the rest of the country has...
The 2023 Year in Review – Water Quality
Based on an annual evaluation recent competed, and feedback from my advisory committee, water quality issues are the number one natural resource concern for those who follow my extension programs. It makes sense. Poor water quality can negatively impact...
The Elusive Gulf Sturgeon
Mark Twain once said – “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” A similar statement could be made about the Gulf Sturgeon – “Everyone talks about the Gulf sturgeon, but on one has actually seen one.” Those along the coast who...
Agritourism – An Overview
CONNECTING WITH THE LAND With less than 2% of the American population now living on farms, many people have become increasingly disconnected from the intricate world of agriculture and food production. Consumers are showing a growing curiosity about where their food...