Naturally Florida

By: Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan
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  • Summary

  • 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 natural resources and conservation to Naturally Florida. Listeners will learn about Florida wildlife, local ecosystems, and conservation issues in the Sunshine State. If you love learning about nature but need to learn on-the-go, this podcast is for you. This podcast is brought to you by UF/IFAS Extension's Natural Resources programs in Polk and Pinellas Counties.
    201782
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Biological Sciences
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Episodes
  • Oysters 101: Why These Little Mollusks Matter

    Oysters 101: Why These Little Mollusks Matter
    Dec 16 2024

    THANK YOU to all our loyal listeners that completed our annual podcast survey! If you missed out, no worries, you can give us feedback anytime on our website or try again next year starting in the Fall when we launch our survey again.

    In this episode, we explore the world of oysters. What are they? What do they do? What happens when they die? Eastern oysters play a critical role in Florida’s estuarine habitats, supporting hundreds of species big and small. Learn all about oysters and how you can support them in this episode.


    Learn More:

    • Eastern Oyster - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/eastern-oyster

    • Eastern Oyster Biology - ⁠ https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/mollusc/eastern-oysters/biology/

    • Oyster Reef Habitat - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/oyster-reef-habitat

    How You Can Help:

    • Consider installing a vertical oyster garden off your dock, or paint one to hang as décor in your home as a talking point for family and friends. Reach out to your local Florida Sea Grant Agent to find out if you have VOG efforts in your county.

    • Keep eating oysters! By consuming oysters, you are supporting the oyster industry and the restoration efforts throughout Florida utilizing recycling oyster shell for living shoreline projects and more!

    Sources for this Episode:

    • TBEP Oyster Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) - https://tampabay.wateratlas.usf.edu/oyster-habitat-suitability/

    • Historical ecology with real numbers: past and present extent and biomass of an imperiled estuarine habitat - http://www.oyster-restoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/zuErmgassen_etal_historical_ecology_2012.pdf •What is a bivalve mollusk? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bivalve.html

    • Oyster Shell Recycling Pilot Program - ⁠⁠ https://pinellas.gov/programs/oyster-shell-recycling-pilot-program/

    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
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    18 mins
  • Gobble Gobble, It's Turkey Time!

    Gobble Gobble, It's Turkey Time!
    Nov 18 2024

    On today's episode we're talking turkey - the wild turkey, that is! Learn all about Florida's wild turkey species, their biology, and even bust a myth or two.

    Learn More:

    • See a turkey swim: Youtube Video from @southernoutlawadventures5106 on youtube.com
    • Learn everything you could ever want to know about turkeys and managing habitat for turkeys, by listening to Wild Turkey Science


    How You Can Help:

    • Support prescribed fire initiatives in and around your Florida community.
    • Plant forage species in your suburban or rural yard that support turkeys: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/7-grasses-and-forbs-you-need-on-your-property
    • Reduce the use of broadcast insecticides in your yard and encourage your neighbors to do the same.


    Sources:

    • https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sumterco/2022/12/31/wildlife-invasive-species-education-wise-species-profile-wild-turkey/
    • https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/overview
      • https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/game-birds/wild-turkeys/


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    24 mins
  • Florida's Carnivorous Plants

    Florida's Carnivorous Plants
    Oct 21 2024
    In this episode, we’re diving into one of the state’s most fascinating plant groups: carnivorous plants. These spooky species have adapted to capture prey in some of Florida’s most nutrient-poor environments. We’ll talk about how they trap their meals, their role in the ecosystem, and where you can spot these unique plants across the state. Learn More: • Pinellas Predatory Plants - https://youtu.be/gG0XNhSnSvQ?si=_27ONm-oA3pNOHH6 • Carnivorous Plants - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/carnivorous-plants/ • Carnivorous plants – novel natives with showy flowers - https://www.flawildflowers.org/2022-spring-bloom-report/ • Carnivorous Plants – Both Rare and Well Done – Along the Apalachicola – UPDATED - https://blog.wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/2022/04/carnivorous-plants-both-rare-and-well-done-along-the-apalachicola/ • Florida’s Carnivorous Plants - https://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1728-floridas-carnivorous-plants.aspx How You Can Help: • Do Not Poach them! Many of the species are state or federally threatened, due to illegal harvesting from the wild and the destruction of their wetland habitats. Seeds or plants can be purchased from reputable nurseries and seed sources. Many species available for purchase are native to Florida and can be grown in rain gardens or in sunny spots. • Support habitat restoration and maintenance through prescribed fire. In Florida, many of these species are also fire dependent, like the ecosystems they grow in – yes, even the wetlands! • Build memories with these species – seek them out, learn about them with your friends and family - https://www.flawildflowers.org/2022-spring-bloom-report/ Sources for this Episode: Pinellas Predatory Plants - ⁠https://youtu.be/gG0XNhSnSvQ?si=_27ONm-oA3pNOHH6 ⁠ • Carnivorous Plants - ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/carnivorous-plants/ ⁠ • Carnivorous plants – novel natives with showy flowers -⁠ https://www.flawildflowers.org/2022-spring-bloom-report/ ⁠ • Carnivorous Plants – Both Rare and Well Done – Along the Apalachicola – UPDATED - ⁠https://blog.wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/2022/04/carnivorous-plants-both-rare-and-well-done-along-the-apalachicola/ ⁠ • Florida’s Carnivorous Plants - ⁠https://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1728-floridas-carnivorous-plants.aspx ⁠ 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
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    25 mins

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