National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) – Why Be Concerned?
In recent years this question has come up more often. With the thousands of different invasive species taking over the landscape and waterways why are we spending so much time, money, and resources battling them when you are not going to win? It’s a fair question...
Fecal Bacteria in the Bay… What Can You Do?
For many in the Pensacola Bay area, water quality is a top concern. Excessive nutrients, heavy metals, and fecal bacteria from run-off have all been problems. In recent years fecal bacteria has become a major concern, forcing both health advisories at public...
Six Rivers CISMA EDRR Invasive Species – Cane Toad
EDRR Invasive Species Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) a.k.a Bufo toad, Marine toad 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 Dirty Dozen Invasive Species of the Month – Japanese Honeysuckle
Six Rivers “Dirty Dozen” Invasive Species Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) 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...
Pipefish of the Florida Panhandle
I recently posted an article about the seahorses of the Florida panhandle. It would be remiss of me if I did not include their close cousins the pipefish. Where seahorses are well known but hard to find, pipefish are easy to find but not well known. Pipefish are in...
Six Rivers CISMA EDRR Invasive Species of the Month – Natalgrass
EDRR Invasive Species Natal grass (Melinis repens) 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...
Wildlife on the Beach in February
It is now mid-winter and much colder than our trip in January. During February’s hike the temperature was 44°F, compared to 62°F in January. It was overcast with a cold breeze from the northeast – again, colder. When conditions are like this I am not expecting to...
Air Potato Leaf Beetles are Here to Help
I’m sure many of you could easily recognize air potato with its winding vines and heart-shaped leaves climbing high along roadsides, fencerows and natural vegetation, but could you recognize its key predator, the air potato leaf beetle? Believe it or not, a small, red...
Food Plot Exclusion Cages
I routinely receive calls about “failed food plots.” My normal response is to ask about soil testing first. If they performed a soil test and applied fertilizers according to the test, I move on to more questions about the planting methods. I ask what was planted,...
Seahorses of the Florida Panhandle
Seahorses are one of the coolest creatures on this planet – period. I mean who doesn’t like seahorses? People state “I love snakes”, “I hate snakes”, “I love sharks”, “I hate sharks”. But no one says, “I hate seahorses”. They are sort of in the same boat with sea...