Summertime is SSSnake Time
It seems like there has always been a soft spot in my heart for snakes. From a young age, I was fascinated with all reptiles. The rural fabric of where I grew up in Central Florida (think late-1960s) afforded many opportunities for us kids to roam the woods and fields...
Where Have All the Scallops Gone?
For those who lived in the Pensacola Bay area 50 or so years ago, this question comes up from time to time. By scallop I am speaking of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), the one sought by so many scallopers then and now. This relatively small bivalve sits on...
Six Rivers CISMA Dirty Dozen Invasive Species of the Month – Chinese Mimosa
Six Rivers “Dirty Dozen” Invasive Species Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) Define Invasive Species: must have all of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing...
Tarpon in the Florida Panhandle
This is a famous fish. If you look back at the old tourism magazines of the early 20th century you will see a lot about tarpon fishing in Florida. As a matter of fact, some say that tarpon fishing was the beginning of the tourism industry in the state. Also known...
Connecting With Youth Through the Love of the Outdoors
By Rachel Mathes My only brother and his family live in Appleton, Wisconsin. Though I’m only able to see my niece and nephews one or two times a year, we have a deep connection through our love of the outdoors. Their middle son, Zachary, is a budding naturalist at...
Six Rivers EDRR Invasive Species of the Month – Green Mussels
EDRR Invasive Species Green Mussel (Perna viridis) Define Invasive Species: must have ALL of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing either an environmental or economic...
Gars of the Florida Panhandle
Like the ancient sturgeon, this is one strange prehistoric looking group of fish. I’ll say group of fish because there is more than one kind. For many, all gars are alligator gars. There is an alligator gar but there are others. Actually, the longnose gar may be...
Sargassum
I am sure it drives the tourists a little crazy. After daydreaming all year of a week relaxing at the beach, they arrive and find the shores covered in leggy brown seaweed for long stretches. It floats in the shallow water, tickling legs and causing a mild panic—was...
Six Rivers CISMA Dirty Dozen Invasive Species of the Month – Callery (Bradford) Pear
Six Rivers “Dirty Dozen” Invasive Species Callery Pear – Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) Define Invasive Species: must have all of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing...
Six Rivers CISMA EDRR Invasive Species of the Month – Water Hyacinth
EDRR Invasive Species Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Define Invasive Species: must have ALL of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing either an environmental or...