What’s All This About the Rice’s Whale?
Recently I participated in a local festival to educate the public about the Rice’s Whale – the newly described species in the Gulf of Mexico that is now listed as critically endangered, possibly the most endangered whale in the world’s oceans. I honestly did not know...
The Estuary’s Natural Filtration System Pt. 1
The Panhandle of Florida is home to many estuaries along the coast, from the Escambia Bay System in the west to the Apalachicola Bay System in the east. These estuaries are very important and are the intersection where rivers (fed from their respective watersheds)...
Thinning-One of The Most Important Forest Management Practices
Thinning is an important part of any forest management plan and getting it right can be the difference between successful outcomes and persistent problems. Probably one of the most common questions foresters get is “Should I Thin My Trees?”. It is an important...
A Day at the Beach
I might shock a few people when I say this, but I’d rather be out in the bay somewhere rather than the beach. I just feel like I always bring a gallon of sand back on me even after washing down before getting in the car. However, there is one activity that will always...
Silvopasture 101 Workshop and Farm Tour Recap
The UF/IFAS Extension Northwest District hosted a well-attended Silvopasture workshop and farm tour in Chipley on Friday April 26th. What exactly is silvopasture you may wonder? Ian Stone, the multi-county Forestry agent based in Walton County, did a great job in...
Understanding Salinity in Northwest Florida’s Waters with a Family Activity
Understanding Salinity in Northwest Florida’s Waters with a Family Activity Dana Stephens, 4-H Agent Salinity is the amount of total dissolved salts in water. This includes all salts not just sodium chloride, or table salt. Salinity is important in aquatic...
Stormwater Management Webinar Series and Field Tours
Join us for a two-part webinar series on Managing Stormwater in a Changing FL Panhandle on May 1, 2024 from 8:30-11:30 am CST (9:30-12:30 pm EST), and May 15, 2024 from 8:30-11:30 am CST (9:30-12:30 pm EST). We are also offering two optional no-cost field tours of...
Master Naturalists Visit The Springs
Imagine you’re out on a kayak in a pristine Florida freshwater spring, surrounded by wildlife, beautiful trees, and natural formations. You have all the knowledge of what to expect and get excited to call out the different species of plants and animals you can spot....
Snake Watch 1st Quarter Report; 2024
The Snake Watch Project is one that is helping residents in the Pensacola Bay area better understand which species of snakes are most encountered, where they are encountered, and what time of year. The project began in 2022 and over the last two years between 50-60%...
Now is the Time to Search for Invasive Cogongrass
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is one of the most noxious weeds in the U.S. and has been a problem in the agricultural and timberland for decades. In more recent years it has been found on our barrier islands. Stands of cogongrass on the beaches are not as massive...