Environment – Page 6

Residential Irrigation Water Costs in Osceola County and Orange County, Florida

Interest in understanding water use and irrigation costs has risen in recent years. This case study is a 5-page evaluation of water use and associated costs for residential landscape irrigation in Osceola County and Orange County, Florida. Homeowners in central Florida can use the results to assess their water consumption and bills in relation to similar homes in the area. Written by Nick Taylor, Tricia Kyzar, Pierce Jones, and Kaitlin O. Robb Price, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2019.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae536

Floridians' Engagement in Landscape Best Practices to Protect Water Resources: Information from a 2018 Survey

Extension programs are most effective when informed by a deep understanding of the target audience. To guide programs in Florida’s managed landscapes, especially pertaining to water quality and conservation, faculty from the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology conduct an annual statewide survey. The survey gathers data that includes common landscape elements, neighborhood characteristics, engagement in irrigation and fertilizer best practices, and learning preferences. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication presents highlights from the 2018 statewide survey with recommendations for how to use the information. Written by Laura A. Warner, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, Tom Wichman, Wendy Wilber, and A. J. Reisinger.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc345

Red Heart Disease in Pines caused by Porodaedalea (Phellinus) pini in Florida

All pine species in Florida are susceptible to red heart disease. The disease can decrease timber value and weaken trees, making them threats to people and property. In forests, however, the same disease can be beneficial to cavity-nesting animals like red-cockaded woodpeckers. This 3-page fact sheet written by Yin-Tse Huang, Jeffrey Eickwort, and Jiri Hulcr and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes the disease and provides some tips to manage it in areas where it could cause problems for people.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr425

Considerations for Selection and Use of Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses create interest and excitement in the landscape with their unique characteristics. The availability of a large number of species and cultivars makes these plants very versatile, with many potential uses in the landscape. This publication outlines many of the considerations for the proper selection and use of ornamental grasses. The information and tables should assist the first-time gardener as well as the experienced landscaper in the selection and use of ornamental grasses in Florida. This 9-page major revision was written by Mack Thetford and Mary Salinas and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep233

The invasive shot hole borers Euwallacea fornicatus, E. kuroshio, and E. perbrevis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Invasive species, those that are nonnative and cause economic damage, are one of the main threats to ecosystems around the world. Ambrosia beetles are some of the most common invasive insects. Currently, severe economic impacts have been increasingly reported for all the invasive shot hole borers in South Africa, California, Israel, and throughout Asia. This 7-page fact sheet written by Demian F. Gomez, Jiri Hulcr, and Daniel Carrillo and published by the School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes shot hole borers and their biology and hosts and lists some strategies for prevention and control of these pests.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr422

Hurricane Preparedness for Forage Crops in the Southeast United States

This 4-page document provides information on preparing forage crops, conserved forage, and grazing areas for potential hurricane damage and alleviating hurricane damage on forage crops and grazing lands in the Southeast United States, with an emphasis on the Florida peninsula and Gulf Coast. Written by José C. B. Dubeux, Jr. and Edward K. Twidwell, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, November 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag439

Attracting Native Bees to Your Florida Landscape

Florida is home to approximately 315 species of native wild bees. These bees rely on flowers for survival; their diets consist exclusively of pollen and nectar harvested from flowers. Recently reported declines in some bee species have heightened awareness of bee conservation across the United States and motivated efforts to increase floral resources for bees. This 7-page fact sheet written by Rachel E. Mallinger, Wayne Hobbs, Anne Yasalonis, and Gary Knox and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department shows how gardeners and land managers can aid in conservation efforts by planting flowers for bees in home or community gardens.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN1255

Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs

Raising backyard chickens is an increasingly popular way to explore self-sufficiency, connect with how our food is produced, and gain experience for future dabbling in food production. This 13-page publication is designed primarily for those considering raising backyard chickens for eggs for personal consumption. Written by Mary E. Henry, Jessica M. Ryals, Alicia Halbritter, and Derek L. Barber, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, revised November 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an239

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 9: How Do Whales Stay Warm?

This 9-page document is the ninth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students investigate the roles that blubber, body shape, and body size play in preventing heat loss in marine mammals. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm234

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 16: North Atlantic Right Whales and Ship Strikes

This 7-page document is the sixteenth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students learn why ship strikes are a threat to North Atlantic right whale survival, and what conservation measures are in place to reduce this threat. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire, Jessica Hardy, Brenda Cannaliato, and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm241

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 4: How Big Are Cetaceans?

This 12-page document is the fourth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students gain an understanding of the size of different cetaceans through engaging activities. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm229

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 12: Identifying Individual North Atlantic Right Whales

This 4-page document is the twelfth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students learn about the New England Aquarium’s right whale database and match photographs of individual right whales. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire, Ruth Francis-Floyd, and Brenda Cannaliato, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm237

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 8: Food Chains

This 6-page document is the eighth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students identify components of baleen and toothed whale food chains and trace energy flow. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire, Brenda Cannaliato, and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm233

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 3: Researching Individual Whale and Dolphin Species

This 55-page document is the third lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students learn about individual cetacean species through a game. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm228

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 2: Cetaceans–What Makes a Whale a Whale?

This 7-page document is the second lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students learn about general whale and dolphin biology. Written by Ruth Francis-Floyd and Maia Patterson McGuire, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm227

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 1: Starting to Learn about Whales

This 14-page document is the first lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It will help students start to learn about whales and practice reading comprehension and writing skills. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm226

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Outline

The Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum provides a series of individual lessons covering cetacean (whale and dolphin) biology and ecology. The curriculum uses charismatic megafauna to engage students and inspire them to want to learn more. This 3-page document provides a brief overview of the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm225

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 13: North Atlantic Right Whale Migration

This 6-page document is the thirteenth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It contains information that will help students learn about the migration path of North Atlantic right whales and the ways researchers are studying the movement of these whales. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm238

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum–Lesson 7: How Do Whales Eat?

This 10-page document is the seventh lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It contains information that will help students learn the differences between how baleen and toothed whales feed. Students will also learn how sound waves are used for echolocation. Written by Maia Patterson McGuire and Ruth Francis-Floyd, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm232

Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum: Lesson 6: Cetacean Behaviors

This 4-page document is the sixth lesson in the Cetaceans 4th Grade Curriculum. It contains information that will help students learn about whale and dolphin behaviors. Written by Ruth Francis-Floyd and Maia Patterson McGuire, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine–Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm231