Restoring the Health of Pensacola Bay; what can you do to help? Introduction
Humans have inhabited the shores of Pensacola Bay for centuries. Impacts on the ecology have happened all along, but the major impacts have occurred in the latter half of the 20th century. There has been an increase in human population, an increase in development, a...
Septic systems: What should you do when a flood occurs?
Approximately 30% of Florida’s population relies on septic systems, or onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), to treat and dispose of household wastewater. This includes all water from bathrooms and kitchens, and laundry machines. When properly...
Is it Seagrass or Seaweed?
For many, it really does not matter. But is there a difference? Yes… there is. Seagrass is what typically washes ashore on the Sound side – seaweed is what we typically see on the Gulf. So what is the difference? Seagrasses are actually grasses. They...
Which Local Creatures Eat Venomous Snakes?
In my job, I get many calls about snakes. Most people want to know how to tell a venomous from a nonvenomous one and how to keep them out of the yard. I was recently reading a new book out by Dr. Sean Graham entitled American Snakes and in the chapter on snake...
Panhandle Ecotourism: Blackwater River State Park
Spring has sprung and it is time to get outside and explore this great Florida Panhandle area. In neighboring Santa Rosa County, a terrific destination for a variety of outdoor activities is Blackwater River State Park. Visitors can canoe, kayak, tube, fish and swim...
“Ice Age” Tree in Peril: Florida Torreya
Having just completed the Okaloosa/Walton Uplands Master Naturalist course, I would like to share information from the project that was presented by Ann Foley. The Florida Torreya is the most endangered tree in North America, and perhaps the world! Less than 1%...
The Beautiful, but Invasive, Mimosa
It is easy to notice the display of bright pink puffs erupting on low-growing trees along roadsides. This attractive plant is the Mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin. These once popular small trees are commonly found in the yards of older homes in Florida where the...
Bats in a Building: What Can You Do?
All 13 species of bats that live in Florida sleep during the day and feed on insects throughout the night. Most of these bats sleep in natural structures such as trees and caves. But when the natural structures these bats prefer are limited or vandalized, the bats may...
Grass Carp – A Biological Control “Tool” to Manage Invasive Aquatic Plants
Spring is only days away. Everywhere you look, plants of all kinds are awakening to recent rains, longer days, and fertile soils; and this includes aquatic plants as well! Florida has hundreds of aquatic plant species, and they are an often-overlooked feature of...
Test your well water at least once a year: Keep your water and your family well
An estimated 2.5 million Floridians (approximately 12% of the population) rely on private wells for home consumption, which includes water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, toilet flushing and other needs. While public water systems are regulated by the U.S....