Naturally Florida

By Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

Naturally Florida is a podcast about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here.

Naturally Florida's hosts, Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan, bring over 25 years of experience in ... more

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FAQs about Naturally Florida:

How many episodes does Naturally Florida have?

The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.

Naturally Florida episodes:

July 17, 2023Ticks and Tickborne Illness in Florida
The creepiest, crawliest, grossest of arachnids, in our opinion, are ticks. And no, we don't feel bad calling them gross!
Tick-borne illnesses can wreak havoc on people's lives and there is still so much we don't know about them. On today's episode, learn what we DO know about ticks in Florida, the diseases they may carry, and what to do to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from ticks.
Learn More:
Florida-specific tick information: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/family-resources/ticks-and-disease/ (UF/IFAS) and https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/tick-and-insect-borne-diseases/index.html (FL Dept. of Health)

The CDC has a wonderful tool to identify the best insect repellants for various activities. Scroll to the bottom of this page to learn, "How to choose the right insect repellent": https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you (CDC)

More information on the diseases Ticks can carry and where they are found: ⁠https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html⁠ (CDC)
Call to Action:
Learn about tick-bite prevention! That's really our only Call to Action this month.
Preventing Tick bites before going outdoors, and after: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html (CDC)

Dog checks: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_pets.html (CDC)

Sources for Show Notes:
Reptile Host Associations of Ixodes Scapularis in Florida and Implications for Borrelia Spp. Ecology⁠

A Survey of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Florida

Facts About Wildlife Diseases Ehrlichiosis1

Ticks and Tick-Borne Infections Complex Ecology, Agents, and Host Interactions

Preventing Tick Bites

Preventing Ticks in the Yard

How Ticks Spread Disease
...more
22min
June 20, 2023Sounds of Summer - Singing Insects
What comes to mind when you think of summer? Hot. Beaches. No school. What about singing insects? No? Perhaps not, but we’re sure you’ve heard the sounds of summer. Nobody sounds the alarm for summer weather like our native cicadas. Find out about them and more in today’s episode.
Learn more:
Common Grasshoppers in Florida -  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN010

Cicadas of Florida - ⁠https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bugs/cicadas.htm

Singing Insects of North America - https://orthsoc.org/sina/index.htm
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN132
How You Can Help:
Leave portions of your yard unmown

Reduce use of lawn chemicals

Be tolerant of chewed leaves
Sources for this Episode:
Singing Insects of North America - https://orthsoc.org/sina/index.htm

Songs of Insects – A Guide to the Voices of Crickets, Katydids & Cicadas - http://songsofinsects.com/

Singing Insects: Our Overlooked Outside Chorus - https://youtu.be/VBVzeV8sKXQ
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
...more
20min
May 23, 2023Three Common Snakes in Residential Areas
On today’s episode, you’ll learn about three non-venomous snake species common to residential areas in Florida. Slithering into a neighborhood near you, these common snake species are found all over Florida.
Learn More:
Red Cornsnake: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/red-cornsnake/

Black Racer: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/north-american-racer/

Ring-necked Snake: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/ring-necked-snake/

Learn all about Florida’s Snakes, here: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/snakes/florida.shtml
Call to Action:
Let them be, let snakes live! They provide so many ecosystem benefits for us. Can you imagine how different the rodent, lizard, and insect populations might be without predators like snakes?

Prevent encounters rather than trapping or killing snakes. Reduce snake encounters with these tips from UF/IFAS Wildlife Extension: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/preventing_encounters.shtml

Identify snakes you see using this handy guide: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/ Or, If you’re ever unsure, snap a picture from a safe distance and email us!
Sources for the show:
UF IFAS Wildlife’s Johnson Lab: “Florida’s Snakes” https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/snakes/florida.shtml And https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/dealing_with_snakes.shtml

Florida Fish and Wildlife’s “Living with Snakes” https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/

Snake Bites: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/default.html
...more
18min
April 17, 2023When You Think of Pines, I Hope You Think of Pinecones
We have all probably interacted with pine cones in some way, whether we collected them to start a bon fire, rolled them in peanut butter to create a bird feeder, or avoided them during pollen season. Pine trees produce pine cones, a unique seed with a fascinating science and ecological importance for Florida’s ecosystems.
Learn more:
Common Pines of Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR003

Fun facts about pine cones - www.canr.msu.edu/news/fun_facts_about_pine_cones
How You Can Help:
Plant a pine tree!- U https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR456

Support prescribed fire - www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Prescribed-Fire

Leave pine cones where you found them - www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2013/05/07/the-problem-with-longleaf-pine-seeds/
Sources for this Episode:
Longleaf Pine - www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/pinus/palustris.htm

Native Trees of the Southeast – An Identification Guide - www.workman.com/products/native-trees-of-the-southeast/paperback

Morphology of Plants and Fungi - www.abebooks.com/9780060408398/Morphology-Plants-Fungi-Bold-Harold-0060408391/plp

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!
...more
23min
March 20, 2023The Truth About Iconic Florida
When people think of Florida and visiting the sights, what do they think of? For most people, it’s some combination of alligators, flamingos, manatees, and sea turtles with a sprinkling of Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, and the beaches. This episode explores the truth about iconic Florida.
Learn more:
American Flamingo -
" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/american-flamingo

All About Manatees- https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/ .

All About Sea Turtles-
" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/sea-turtle/where-to-view/
How You Can Help:
View Manatees Responsibly - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/viewing-guidelines/

Help Keep Our Sea Turtles Safe - https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/florida/faq/.

Visit Real Florida When Vacationing or Staycationing: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails OR https://www.nps.gov/state/fl/index.htm OR https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-florida-wildlife-refuges/
Sources for this Episode:
John Audubon’s journal entries - www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/american-flamingo

George Archibald McCall - www.google.com/books/edition/Letters_from_the_Frontiers/bA0EZPPKc_QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=flamingo

Kennedy Space Center - www.kennedyspacecenter.com/blog/07/the-wild-side-of-kennedy-space-center

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge -
" rel="noopener noreferrer"> www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island/visit-us/activities

Disney Wildnerness Preserve - www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve/

UF/IFAS Assessment: Coconut Palm -
" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/cocos-nucifera/

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
...more
19min
February 20, 2023Creating Wildlife Havens
You’ve probably heard that habitat destruction is a common cause of population declines for many wildlife species. It’s critical for us to do what we can in our yards, neighborhoods and communities to help support wildlife by providing food, water, shelter and space. In this episode, we discuss ten tips you can consider implementing where you have influence.
Learn more:
Planting a Refuge for Wildlife (book)- wildlifeflorida.com/product/planting-a-refuge-for-wildlife/

Helping Cavity-Nesters in Florida -
" rel="noopener noreferrer">edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW058

A Bird's-Eye View: How Birds Select Habitat - edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW174

Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Guide - https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/

Florida’s Wildflowers & Butterflies - www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/wildflower-search/

Providing Water to Wildlife - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/gardening-with-wildlife/providing-water-to-wildlife.html

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/integrated-pest-management.html

Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/
How You Can Help:
Implement one or more of the tips shared in today’s episode- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMHbwAhD6pLecySSES0lTNPnRTS6Gyvhk

Share this episode with family and friends https://link.chtbl.com/NaturallyFlorida

Certify your yard - https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY
Sources for this Episode:
The impact of free-ranging domestic casts on wildlife of the United States - www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380/?mod=article_inline&fbclid=IwAR

Native plants improve breeding and foraging habitat for an insectivorous bird - www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717305153.

Impact of Native Plants on Bird and Butterfly Biodiversity in Suburban Landscapes - conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01076.x

Can snag creation benefit a primary cavity nester: Response to an experimental pulse in snag abundance www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320714000056
...more
23min
January 23, 2023 Winter in the Sunshine State
People don’t often think of Florida when they think of winter, but there is actually a lot that happens in the natural world. There are migrations happening, leaves falling, and much more! In this episode, we will explore the exciting world of winter in Florida.
Learn more:
Science of Fall Colors - Science of Fall Colors | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
Wildlife Happenings - UFlorida Wildlife Extension at UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)
Do Black Bears Hibernate? - myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/facts/hibernation/
Canada Geese (they're in parts of Florida! Peep that range map): https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_Goose/overview
How You Can Help:
Find a local Audubon Chapter - Audubon Near You | Audubon
Plant A Tree - UPlanting and Establishing Trees - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (ufl.edu)
Provide Healthy Wildlife Habitat - CIR 1429/UW175: Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: Top Ten Tips for Success (ufl.edu)
Sources for this Episode:
Science of Fall Colors - Science of Fall Colors | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
Wildlife Happenings - UFlorida Wildlife Extension at UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)
Do Black Bears Hibernate? - myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/facts/hibernation/
Cardinal soundclip: Mike Nelson, XC130967. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/130967
Wood duck soundclip: Daniel Lane, XC66141. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/66141
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
...more
22min
January 22, 2023 Naturally Florida Trailer
Welcome to Naturally Florida, a podcast about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here.
Submit comments and topic suggestions to our website, www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com

This podcast is brought to you by UF/IFAS Extension, an Equal Opportunity Institution.
...more
1min
December 19, 2022End of the Year Q&A
In this episode of Naturally Florida, Shannon answers a few Listener questions! She'll tackle a light-hearted Florida Christmas classic, "Why do iguanas fall out of trees when it gets cold?" as well as shed some light about "good or bad" species like queen palms and Carolina laurel cherry, and finally, wrap up with a South Florida conundrum, "What can be done about a nuisance peacock?"
If YOU have a question for Shannon and Lara, you can leave it here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-KBNDTFKdk2s5gpiMx4bhAZcX_k6UeBKkWoRGrhGBkVUN0lVVk4wMVgyMUVDVkgxMFpUNjlPS1FRSy4u
Naturally Florida will pull questions from this form for future Q&A episodes, or, may occasionally add a question to a normal episode.
Learn more:
Iguanas in the Landscape: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/archive/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/iguanas_landscape.shtml

Queen Palms: https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/syagrus-romanzoffiana/

Carolina Laurel Cherry: https://www.fnps.org/plant/prunus-caroliniana and https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST505

Nuisance Wildlife FAQ - Florida Fish and Wildlife: https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/faqs/
How You Can Help:
Consider sharing this podcast with a friend, this holiday season! Consider what episode they might like best, and she it with them. We would greatly appreciate it!

If choosing new landscaping, run the species through the IFAS Assessment first - https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu

Only hire wildlife trappers who have training and are listed through FWC's wildlife trapper page. See here: https://app.myfwc.com/hgm/nwt/nwtsearch.aspx
Sources for this Episode:
UF IFAS Assessment: https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu

Florida Invasive Species Council, Invasive Species list: https://floridainvasivespecies.org/plantlist.cfm
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!
...more
18min
November 21, 2022Highlighting a Keystone Species: The Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise is not only a keystone species, but also an endemic species, making it special and important to the overall function of the ecosystems where it is found. In this episode we will explore the life of the gopher tortoise including some basic identification information, population status, biology, and things you can to do help populations in Florida.
Learn more:
Watch our webinar - https://youtu.be/1QhwxOb0Cb4

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Gopher Tortoise Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/

The Gopher Tortoise Council - https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/gopher-tortoise
How You Can Help:
Add native forage species to your yard - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/help/plant-guide/

Find out what to do if you find a gopher tortoise near you (injured, healthy, or deceased) - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/tortoise-sightings/

Help get them out of the road - Place them on the side of the road in the direction they were heading (Note: Do not place them in water)
Sources for this Episode:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Gopher Tortoise Education - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/

Fire Effects Information System - Species: Gopherus polyphemus - www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/animals/reptile/gopo/all.html

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!
...more
26min

FAQs about Naturally Florida:

How many episodes does Naturally Florida have?

The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.

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