Sea Bass and Grouper of the Florida Panhandle
When you look over the species of sea basses and groupers from the Gulf of Mexico it is a very confusing group. Hoese and Moore1 mention the connections to other families and how several species have gone through multiple taxonomic name changes over the years – its...
Six Rivers CISMA EDRR Invasive Species of the Month – Skunk Vine
EDRR Invasive Species Skunk Vine (Paederia foetida) 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...
Invasive Hitchhikers
It is that time of year. The time of year when many head to their favorite nurseries to do their spring landscaping and gardening. Many of the plants sold at these locations are actually grown in more southern climates, where there are numerous invasive species of...
New FWC Regulations for Diamondback Terrapins
Let’s begin by stating what a diamondback terrapin is. I have found many Floridians are not familiar with the animal. It is a turtle. A turtle in the family Emydidae which includes the pond turtles, such as cooters and sliders. The big difference between terrapins...
Celebrating the Okaloosa Darter
World Wildlife Day was celebrated on March 3, 2022. This year’s theme is “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration.” We celebrate this day to bring attention and awareness to many of the plants and animals that are considered threatened and endangered species...
Wildlife on the Beach in March
The month of March is the last of winter. For todays hike we returned to Gulf Islands National Seashore/Ft. Pickens where it was 63°F, overcast with a strong breeze from the northwest. A cold front is coming through to remind us that winter is not over yet. It was...
Snook in the Florida Panhandle
Snook… Wait did you say Snook in the Florida panhandle? Yep… they are not common, but they have seen here. For those who do not know the fish and do not understand why seeing them is strange, this is a more tropical species associated with tarpon. In the early...
Life Stages of the Eastern Newt
Many of our local creatures lead fascinating lives that are rarely observed by the casual nature-seeker. However, thanks to those seriously committed naturalists, who may seriously need to be committed, we get the opportunity to peek into the secret lives of newts for...
4-H Camp Timpoochee: An Outdoor Adventure in the Florida Panhandle
Nestled on the shore of the Choctawhatchee Bay across from Destin in Okaloosa County you will find 4-H Camp Timpoochee. Its private facilities, open spaces, waterfront view, and beautiful sunsets allow campers, students, and guests to play, learn, and work in a safe...
National Invasive Species Awareness Week – What Can You Do?
During this week we have read about what an invasive species is, how they got here, which ones have been here awhile, which are new potential threats, and why we should even care about this. All important things to know when you are trying to understand invasive...