My final Florida Master Naturalist Program course is coming to a close. As we cheer for our fellow graduates and hug goodbye, I reflect on what we’ve learned and what’s at stake for Florida’s land and water. Across the state, development threatens our remaining natural lands and the species that
I am standing on thousand-year-old dunes. They are the ancient remnants of mountains formed of salty, wind-swept sand. Today, these dunes are now scrub and flatwood communities, home to tall sand pines, short scrubby oaks, and a plethora of biodiverse grasses and flowers. Tate’s Hell State Forest is a conservation
I’m a big fan of butterflies and pretty much all pollinating, six-legged creatures. At Bear Creek Educational Forest, I was in for a treat. My Florida Master Naturalist class (UF/IFAS) welcomed bug expert, Billy Boothe to lead us on an insect adventure. It turns out, we can tell a lot
I arrived before 9 a.m. as the fog began to lift from the fields of flowers. Bordering the winding canopy road, longleaf pine forests swayed with the breeze. The Red Hills glistened with dew-laden grasses, draping the landscape with gold. Tall Timbers Research Station and Conservancy is dedicated to
