Nature
**Naturally Florida**

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.

Latest Episodes:

Florida on Fire: Prescribed Fire in the Sunshine State Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we explore fire in Florida, what ecosystems burn and why, the history and current state of fire in Florida, and some neat adaptations found in plants and animals of fire-depended ecosystems.

Learn more:

Fire and Habitat - https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/archive/hot_topics/environment/fire_habitat.shtml
Effects of Fire on Florida’s Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw132
Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes (Mentioned by Shannon) - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR173

How You Can Help:

Consider Creating a Firewise Landscape -

These documents outline actions homeowners can take to better prepare their landscape for a possible wildfire:

Support Prescribed Burning Programs –

These resources outline prescribed burning efforts throughout Florida:

Sources for this Episode:

Gopher Frogs, Burrows, and Fire: Interactions in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW295
Effects of fire history, tree age, and canopy seed bank size on serotiny of Ocala sand pine (Pinus clausa var. clausa) in Florida scrub - https://www.jstor.org/stable/26477959
Chapter 9 – Ecological Effects - https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/39688/file/pft_chapter_09_ecological_effects.pdf

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

Birds and Their Houses: Cavity Nesters in Florida Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping insect populations in-check, serving as a valuable prey item for our larger mammals, and helping to disperse seeds! Just like people, birds need food, water and shelter to survive. In this episode, we will explore a special type of bird called cavity nesters, who, as the name implies, need cavities to nest, reproduce and thrive.

Learn more:

Helping Cavity-Nesters in Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW058
All About Birdhouses: Next Box Placement - https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/nest-box-placement/
Bird Buddies - http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2021/10/11/bird-buddies/

How You Can Help:

Provide snags – Snags are standing dead trees, and they provide excellent natural habitat for cavity nesters. Primary cavity nesters, like woodpeckers will seek out dying trees to excavate as this wood is usually softer and easier to chip away.
Build or install an artificial nest box – It’s important to build the right house for the right bird. There are many factors to consider when constructing a nest box. Be sure to check out our blog for more details.
Provide other forms of shelter – Native plants of various heights provide excellent cover for birds and other wildlife species, plus they provide an excellent source of food.

Sources for this Episode:

Bird sounds by Brian Henderson, XC457516. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/457516
Helping Cavity-Nesters in Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW058
“The Sibley Guide to Birds” by David Allen Sibley
“A Birder’s Guide to Pinellas County (Florida)” by Ron Smith
All About Birdhouses: Next Box Placement - https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/nest-box-placement/
Predator Guards Carry Their Weight - https://nestwatch.org/connect/blog/predator-guards-carry-their-weight/

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

(Part 2) Florida's Most Recognizable Reptile: the American Alligator Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

This episode is the second half of our discussion on the American alligator. This episode will focus on busting common myths and highlighting key ways we can learn to coexist with this critically important species.

Learn more:

Watch an 8ft+ alligator climb a 6ft fence: https://youtu.be/z7DMjQJD7v M (ABC Channel 6, WATE)
Living with Alligators: a Florida Reality: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw230

How You Can Help:

Never feed an alligator - If you suspect anyone of feeding alligators, intentionally or not, please consider reporting it to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). You will not get anyone in trouble! The 1st offense is a warning and education visit. Call the wildlife alert hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922). Cell phone users in Florida can dial *FWC or #FWC, depending on the service provider.

Sources for this Episode:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Human-Alligator Incidents Fact Sheet (Updated April 2019). https://myfwc.com/media/1776/human-alligatorincidentfactsheet.pdf
Ober, et al., Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Alligators. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw393
Swiman, et al., Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw230
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/snap/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Alligator Management Program. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/

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!

(Part 1) Florida's Most Recognizable Reptile: the American Alligator Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

Florida is known for having alligators, a fact that brings fear to many visitors and residents. But, alligators are an important species in many of our ecosystems. While we continue to develop the State, our chances of encountering an alligator increase, but there are many ways we can learn to coexist with them.

This episode is the first episode in a two-part series and will discuss basic biology and some common alligator behavior.

Learn more:

Living with Alligators: a Florida Reality: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw230
Information on alligator hunting in Florida (FWC) - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/harvest/hunt-guide/

How You Can Help:

Never feed an alligator - If you suspect anyone of feeding alligators, intentionally or not, please consider reporting it to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). You will not get anyone in trouble! The 1st offense is a warning and education visit. Call the wildlife alert hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922). Cell phone users in Florida can dial *FWC or #FWC, depending on the service provider.

Sources for this Episode:

Ober, et al., Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Alligators. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw393
Swiman, et al., Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw230
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/snap/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Alligator Management Program. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/

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!

Trees and People: An intro to urban forestry Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Florida is known for a wide variety of ecosystems from the Everglades to its springs, and the beaches to the national forests. While these ecosystems are a major driver for tourism here in the state, Florida is rapidly developing with most of the population now living in urban areas. In this episode, we will explore the value and importance of an ecosystem that is often overlooked, the urban forests.

Learn more:

What Is an Urban Forest? - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP595
Economic Contributions of Urban Forestry in Florida in 2017 -
https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/economic-impact-analysis-program/publications/2017-urban-forestry-in-florida/
Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes (Mentioned by Shannon) - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR173

How You Can Help:

Explore The Value of Trees in Your Yard or Neighborhood - If you know what type of tree(s) you have in your yard or neighborhood, consider calculating their value using the Tree Benefits calculator found at www.treebenefits.com.
Plant A Tree – This document can help you select which tree you are going to plant and where: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/planting-and-establishing-trees.html

Sources for this Episode:

History of State Lands - https://floridadep.gov/lands/lands-director/content/history-state-lands
Florida Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Past 100 Years - https://floridaclimateinstitute.org/docs/climatebook/Ch02-Volk.pdf
Urban forests and pollution mitigation: analyzing ecosystem services and disservices - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749111000327?via%3Dihub
City of Tampa Urban Ecological Analysis - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR265
Defining urban forestry – A comparative perspective of North America and Europe - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866705000464?via%3Dihub

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!

Cuban Treefrogs, they're more than just a nuisance! Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Cuban treefrogs are an invasive species in Florida. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify a Cuban treefrogs and how to humanely euthanize them. By choosing to remove Cuban treefrogs from your yard or neighborhood, you're helping protect local native treefrogs, like the green treefrog and the squirrel treefrog.

Learn more:

Dr. Steve Johnson's website about Cuban Treefrogs: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/cuban_treefrog_inFL.shtml
Factsheet on Cuban treefrogs, including identification: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/UW/UW25900.pdf
Learn about treefrog calls for species near you! https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.lookup

How You Can Help:

Report Cuban treefrog sightings in FL's panhandle to Dr. Steve Johnson's lab: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/citizen_sci.shtml
Remove Cuban treefrogs from your yard or neighborhood: First, properly identify and and capture the Cuban treefrog. The easiest way to humanely euthanize a Cuban treefrog is to place the bagged frog into a refrigerator for 3–4 hours then transfer it to a freezer for an additional 24 hours. Then, move the frozen, now dead treefrog, to the trashcan. (excerpt from EDIS document, below)

Sources for this Episode:

Johnson, S. (2017). The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida. University of of Florida IFAS Extension EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw259
Kenneth G Rice, J. Hardin Waddle, Mark W Miller, Marquette E Crockett, Frank J Mazzotti, H. Franklin Percival. Recovery of Native Treefrogs After Removal of Nonindigenous Cuban Treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis. Herpetologica 1 June 2011; 67 (2): 105–117. doi: https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-10-00020.1
Jones, P. (2019). Expert explains key role of frogs in healthy ecosystems. University of New South Wales. Accessed via https://phys.org at https://phys.org/news/2019-03-expert-key-role-frogs-healthy.html
Treefrog calls and sound clips were sourced from USGS's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.lookup

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!

Wait, we have fireflies in Florida? Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Fireflies are indeed in Florida; you just have to know where to find them. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, avoid areas with high volumes of artificial lights and lots of urban development. In this episode of Naturally Florida, we’ll be discussing the lifecycle and conservation of fireflies in Florida.

Learn more:

Where to find fireflies in Florida: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2021/06/05/where-to-find-florida-fireflies/
Learn more about the current status of fireflies in the US and Canada: https://xerces.org/blog/status-of-fireflies-in-the-united-states-and-canada

How You Can Help:

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: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2021/06/12/how-to-create-a-firefly-oasis/
Help us document their presence. You don't need to identify species with a microscope to help, consider submitting citizen science reports to Firefly Watch! You can learn more here: https://www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/community-science/firefly-watch/getting-started

Sources for this Episode:

Faust, L. (2017). Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs. University of Georgia Press. 39-168 Available nationwide at a book retailer near you!
The National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Fireflies. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Fireflies
Firefly Conservation Research. (2021). Disappearing Fireflies. https://www.firefly.org/why-arefireflies-disappearing.html
University of Florida IFAS Extension. (n.d.). How to Attract Fireflies for Homeowners. http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/images/fireflies-graphic.pdf

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!

Where does rain go after it falls? Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Florida gets a lot of rain, but our natural water cycle is shifting more towards an urban water cycle as we develop the Sunshine State. In this episode of Naturally Florida, we'll be chatting about the impacts of development on the water cycle with a focus on stormwater and its impact on the watershed.

Learn more:

Stormwater Runoff - https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/residents/education/kids/stormwater-runoff
Lara has a whole webinar on stormwater you can watch on-demand: https://zoom.us/rec/share/YLiCkb4lZvEE7hR3810rIXTw9usnN6S_BOONVxp1Jca4k1bWLQuLcuQ11IKwKV0f.e5dAWjiCRRgr3dFs?startTime=1621360728000

How You Can Help:

Don't let your runoff, runoff! Keeping rainwater in your yard will help improve water quality and help recharge our aquifers. Learn more about what you can to do improve water quality in your neighborhood: https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/what-can-you-do
Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office. Your local extension office will have resources and experts that can help you design a rain garden, talk about rain barrels, or share how to transition to Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Find your local office, here: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/

Sources for this Episode:

2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida, June 2020: 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida: Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Report and Listing Update (floridadep.gov)

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!

Lara's Favorite Species: The Green Anole Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Florida's native green anole (pronounced "uh-nole"), Anolis carolinensis, is Lara's favorite species in all of Florida! In this episode of Naturally Florida, we'll be chatting about what makes the green anole so special and about their nonnative look-alike, the brown anole (Anolis sagrei).

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!

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