Today, we’re diving into what makes the sabal palmetto special—from its biology and wildlife value to its cultural history—and how Floridians can help protect and support this iconic native plant. 

Learn More:

• What is a tree? https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/trees-cities-towns/tree-selection/what-is-a-tree
• Sabal palmetto: Sabal or Cabbage Palm https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST575
• Sorting out the Florida Sabal Palms https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR357

How You Can Help:

• If you’re adding palms to your landscaping, consider adding a native cabbage palm instead of a nonnative palm.
• Protect what’s growing – Remember, sabal palm trunks do not self-heal like “normal” trees would – take care to avoid damaging them! Defend them against weedwhackers and other trauma.
• Practice responsible pruning - Don’t remove green fronds unnecessarily; fronds provide food and energy for the palm. Unless the frond is dry and brown,the tree still needs it. If you MUST prune, prune responsibly – only fronds that hang down and have already started to die off. (Learn more)
• Support conservation, Observe, andAppreciate our State Tree - Take a moment to notice sabal palms in your community—and thebirds and wildlife they support.

Sources:

• Cabbage palm – Sabal palmetto ⁠ https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/tree-tour/cabbage-palm/
• Sabal Palm ⁠ https://www.nps.gov/places/000/sabal-palm.htm
• Sabal palmetto: Investigating the ecological importanceof Florida’s state tree ⁠https://www.proquest.com/openview/22f53c0e4a34046d4bb033c747102003/1?cbl=18750&pq-origsite=gscholar
• https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST575
• https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR357

In this episode, we explain how hurricanes impact ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. We’ll discuss behaviors of wildlife before, during and after a storm, how these events impact wildlife, and what to keep in mind when it comes to encountering wildlife after a storm.  

Learn More:

• Wildlife and Storms: Hurricanes and Wildlife - https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/

• Are Fish Impacted by Hurricanes? https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes

• Hurricane Impacts on Florida’s Agriculture and Natural Resources - https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/105526

How You Can Help:

• Give wildlife space to recover after storms — avoid unnecessary “rescues.”

• Report fish kills by calling the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511 or  report a fish kill online. 

• Support dune restoration, wetland cleanup events, and native plantings.

• Report injured wildlife to licensed rehabbers or FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline. FWC’ s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC

Sources:

• The Impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Ecosystems of South Florida - https://www.jstor.org/stable/2386357

• The effects of hurricanes on birds, with special reference to Caribbean islands - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/effects-of-hurricanes-on-birds-with-special-reference-to-caribbean-islands/BB2E910A038B98090BB331310C163DC7

• Short-Term Demographic Responses of a Coastal Waterbird Community After Two Major Hurricanes - https://bioone.org/journals/waterbirds/volume-36/issue-1/063.036.0113/Short-Term-Demographic-Responses-of-a-Coastal-Waterbird-Community-After/10.1675/063.036.0113.short

• Geographical variation in hurricane impacts among sea turtle populations - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12197

In this episode, we explain how hurricanes cause inland flooding through extreme rainfall and connected watershed systems. We’ll discuss why Florida’s flat terrain and development patterns make inland flooding so persistent, how these events impact water quality and wildlife, and what practical steps Floridians can take to protect their homes and communities. 

Learn More:

• See the most up-to-date FEMA Flood Map for your community: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home (FEMA)
• Get a quote or learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.floodsmart.gov
• Florida Well Owners Network: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/well/  (UF/IFAS)
• Benefits of Floodplains: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/wildlife-conservation/benefits-natural (FEMA)

Sources:

• 
  
• https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home  
• https://www.archbold-station.org/projects/floodplains/ 

• • https://msc.fema.gov/msccontent/Flood_Hazard_Mapping_Updates_Overview_Fact_Sheet.pdf
  • https://www.floodsmart.gov

On today’s episode, we will do a deep dive into the topic ofstorm surge. What is storm surge? What are the impacts of storm surge to us and our natural systems? We will also help you understand the risk of stormsurge where you live.

Episode script reviewed by Lauren Wolf, Holly Abeels, andArmando Ubeda.

Episode recording reviewed by Stephen Mullens.

Learn more:

• National Weather Service – Storm Surge Overview &Hurricane Hazards https://www.weather.gov/phi/stormsurge& https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-hazards
• National Ocean Service – What is storm surge? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/stormsurge-stormtide.html
• National Hurricane Center and Central PacificHurricane Center – Storm Surge Overview - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

How you can help:

• Learn your evacuation zone – https://www.floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone/Remember, evacuation zones are based on storm surge risk for low-lying, floodprone areas, mobile homes or unsafe structures.
• Consider planting more salt-tolerant plants inyour landscape - https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/
• Support nature-based solutions such as dunerestoration, mangrove plantings, and living shorelines.

Sources for this Episode:

• https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/economics-and-demographics.html  

• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/florida-coastal-mapping-program
• https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2023/06/15/sand-dunes/  
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/26296452?mag=the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience&seq=1  
• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/storm-induced-coastal-change 
• https://daily.jstor.org/the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience/  

This episode is part 1 of our summer hurricane series! Today, we're talking about how hurricanes form, why they spin, and what the "categories" mean when we talk about storms.

Also, we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Stephen Mullens, a fellow faculty member at the University of Florida, for reviewing our episode content for accuracy. Stephan is an expert in forecasting and impacts related to hurricanes and thunderstorms.

Learn More:

• ​Coriolis Effect Video (Nat Geo): https://youtu.be/mPsLanVS1Q8?si=yokr3w1vUeVg6l9T
• ​Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Learn more about what each "category" storm means. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws_2012rev.pdf 
• ​Make a plan! Get ready, now: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/preparing-for-hurricane-season/

Sources:

• ​https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/hurricanes  
• ​https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-Do-Hurricanes-Move_.pdf
• ​https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws_2012rev.pdf
• ​https://www.npr.org/2018/09/14/647944033/september-is-peak-hurricane-season-why-is-that
• ​https://weather.gov/media/mfl/TropicalEventSummary/PSHMFL_2024AL14_Milton_Tornadoes.pdf     
• ​https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092024_Helene.pdf 

Green anoles are some of Florida’s most familiar—and most overlooked—neighbors.

In this episode of Naturally Florida, we revisit our very first show from 2020 to explore what makes these little lizards so unique, how they interact with the introduced Cuban brown anole, and what you can do to help them thrive in your own backyard.

Learn more:

• Cuban Brown Anole or Green Anole (video): https://youtu.be/KQhnzi9mkYI
• Landscaping Solutions: Green Anoles: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/gardening-with-wildlife/anoles.html

How You Can Help:

• Help us document their populations! If you see a green anole in your yard or while out in one of Florida's many natural areas, snap a picture with your smartphone and upload it to ⁠iNaturalist.org.⁠ 
• Add habitat to your yard or neighborhood. Consider adding native shrubs or small trees and changing part of your yard from lawn to Florida-Friendly Landscaping to provide habitat for a variety of small critters. Learn more here: ⁠https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-5-attract-wildlife/⁠

Sources for this Episode:

• Invader Updater: Cuban Brown Anole, UF Wildlife Department (2011) ⁠⁠https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/InvaderUpdater/pdfs/InvaderUpdater_Winter2011.pdf⁠⁠
• Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis), Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (n.d.) ⁠⁠https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anocar.htm⁠⁠
• Analysis of the effects of an exotic lizard on a native lizard in Florida ..., University of Tennessee (2000) ⁠⁠https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/4722/⁠⁠
• Florida Lizards are Evolving, Fast, Science Connected (2014) ⁠⁠https://magazine.scienceconnected.org/2014/10/florida-lizards-evolving-rapidly/⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations

Happy Lakes Appreciation Month!

This month, we dive into water quality and what it really means for freshwater systems. You'll hear a lot of scientific jargon this month, but we tried to define everything as we used it. This will help you talk to your local watershed, river, or lake managers!

How You Can Help:

• Participate in the Great Secchi Dip In! https://www.nalms.org/secchidipin/ OR, email Lara or Shannon to learn more about how to participate

Learn More:

• Florida Lakewatch: https://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/information-circulars/
• Water Atlas (SW FL only): https://wateratlas.usf.edu

In this episode, we explore the unique ecology of scrub habitat in Florida. What is a scrub? Where are they located?How are they different from similar ecosystems? How does fire play a role in scrub habitats? What threats do scrub habitats face? What can you do about it? We cover this and more in this episode of Naturally Florida.  

Learn More:

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf

• Topographpic map, elevation, terrain - https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/map-x1rv5k/Polk-County/

• Calamintha bee (Shannon mentioned in episode) - https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/discover-nest-northern-range-blue-calamintha-bee/

• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/

• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373

• Florida Scrub - https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/msrpmap/floridascrub/

How You Can Help:

• Florida scrub is globally rare and incredibly unique, supporting plants and animals found nowhere else. Speak up and advocate for the preservation of the special natural lands. Needs some inspiration, check out the GladysE. Douglas Preserve story.

• Fire is essential in scrub habitats —without it, the ecosystem collapses and species disappear. Be sure to support and advocate for prescribed fires in your area.

• Scrub may look barren, but it’s a biodiversity hotspot—an ecological gem hiding in plain sight. See if you can find a scrub habitat near you to visit!

Sources for this Episode:

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf

• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/

• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠

In this episode, we'll discuss the three different species of mangroves found in Florida, their northward migration, and the critical role they play in our coastal ecosystems. We'll also share practical actions you can take to help protect these vital habitats.

Learn More: 

• Florida's Mangroves - https://floridadep.gov/rcp/rcp/content/floridas-mangroves

• Mangroves - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/mangroves/

• Mangrove Species Profiles - https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/southflorida/habitats/mangroves/species/

• Mangrove propagule image - https://ocean.si.edu/ecosystems/coasts-shallow-water/floating-propagules

• Video of fiddler crab - https://youtu.be/y4dWVCdsXQU?si=M5KI0XjM_KlBhB5d&t=13

• Mangrove Ecosystem Services Field Lesson by Holly Abeels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2dsmo6W2do

How You Can Help: 

• Participate in local mangrove planting and restoration projects.

• Avoid using harmful chemicals in your garden that can run off into coastal waters. Not sure where the water from your property flows, find out here: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/

• If you have mangroves on your property that need trimming, please work with a certified mangrove trimmer - https://floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources-coordination/content/state-authorized-professional

Sources for this Episode: 

• Narayan, S. et al. (2019) Valuing the Flood Risk Reduction Benefits of Florida’s Mangroves, The Nature Conservancy.

• Assessing the role of mangrove forest in reducing coastal inundation during major hurricanes: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-017-3201-8

• The Global Flood Protection Benefits of Mangroves - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61136-6

Vultures can be seen throughout Florida, whether soaring in the air or feeding on the ground, visitor or resident, we have all encountered vultures in Florida. We actually have two species of vultures in Florida, the black vulture and the turkey vulture. While they may seem clumsy and not the most attractive birds, they play a critical role in our ecosystem. Learn how to tell these two species apart and the importance of these birds to our natural world. 

Learn More:  

• Black Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-vulture
• Turkey Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vulture

• Vultures: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/
• Black Vulture or Turkey Vulture? That Is the Question: https://youtu.be/S-XcSqcpBpI?si=4c1FObJAVCkpqzMb

How You Can Help: 

• Respect their space, they are doing a critically important job that none of us want to do. Let them do their work 😉

• Share this episode with a family member, colleague, neighbor or friend. Help us share the love for this keystone species. 

Sources: 

• Do Vultures Find Dead Animals By Smell or By Tracking Predators Or Scavengers On The Ground? https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/do-vultures-find-dead-animals-by-smell-or-by-tracking-predators-or-scavengers-on-the-ground/

• Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch - Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch

• Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Jax State News

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, join our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠⁠⁠