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🌼 Common Butterflies of Central Florida: A Friendly Guide for Local Nature Lovers By Linda Smock, Master Gardener If you’ve spent any time in a central Florida garden, park, or even your own backyard, you’ve likely shared the space with some beautiful butterflies. They sip nectar from flowers, glide over sunny lawns, and sometimes surprise us by landing close enough for a photo. But how well do we really know the butterflies we see every day? This blog post highlights some o

Insects often get a bad reputation. Many people think of them as pests or nuisances, but the truth is far from that. These tiny creatures play essential roles in our ecosystems and daily lives. Without insects, the world as we know it would face serious challenges. This post explores why insects deserve our gratitude and how they quietly support life on Earth. A honeybee gathering nectar from a flower, showing its vital role in pollination The Vital Role of Pollinators Pollin

🌲 Pinellas Pines: The Trees Behind Our County’s Name By Linda Smock, Master Gardener Volunteer Did you know that the first five letters of Pinellas  spell “pine” —the very tree that inspired our county’s name? For centuries, pines blanketed the peninsula we now call home, forming one of the defining features of Florida’s natural landscape. Even today, these evergreens are woven into our scenery, our history, and even our economy. The Beauty and Function of Pine Trees Florida

If you’ve worked around flowers, you’ve likely worked alongside of a bumble bee.  These colorful insects are a larger than a honeybee and five species can be found in Florida.  They fascinate scientists and lay people because of their ability to fly with very small wings and a heavy body.  Their colors and body shape make them of interest to cartoonist and artists who have made them popular in many ways. Bumble bees belong to the genus Bombus which is in the Apidae family.  T

Reporting Invasive Plants and Animals Did you know you can help protect Florida’s environment right from your smartphone? Whether you’re walking through your neighborhood, hiking a nature trail, or tending your garden, you can report invasive plants and animals the moment you see them — thanks to a free app called IveGot1 . If you’d rather wait until you’re back home, no problem! You can also submit reports easily through the IveGot1 website using your computer. Either way, y

We all know that pollinators are essential — but how often do we stop to appreciate just how much we depend on them? From the honeybees...

Florida’s natural beauty is one of our greatest treasures—but it’s under threat. Invasive plants and animals are spreading across our...

Native Florida Was Not Manicured By Linda Smock, Master Gardener Volunteer Drive down many streets in contemporary Florida and you will...

We hear a lot about honey bees and butterflies and many of us think something needs to be done to protect them. But what about other...

As I prepare for the release of Betsy the Brazilian Bat, I am sharing a few myths and facts about bats – all of them, not just the Brazilian, which is one common in most of the continental United States.