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Shannon Carnevale
Dec 30, 2024
Arbor Day in Florida
As January settles in, life in Polk County’s cities, towns, and neighborhoods often slows to a comfortable rhythm. While much of the...
Anne Yasalonis
Dec 30, 2024
New Year Resolutions For Your Central Florida Yard
Florida faces many challenges in protecting our valuable and often fragile natural environment. These challenges include the loss of...
Anne Yasalonis & Andrea Nikolai
Dec 1, 2024
Growing and Cooking Leafy Greens in Central Florida
Growing leafy greens in central Florida during the winter offers a fantastic opportunity to cultivate fresh, nutrient packed vegetables....
Shannon Carnevale
Dec 1, 2024
Have You Seen Me? The Black and White Tegu
Florida has become home to a new invasive species over the last decade: the black-and-white tegu (Salvator merianae), a large, omnivorous...
Anne Yasalonis
Oct 28, 2024
Fall Flowers and Foliage in Central Florida
Fall in central Florida may not bring the dramatic color changes seen in other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean it lacks...
Shannon Carnevale
Oct 28, 2024
Florida's Fall Colors
As fall arrives in Florida, locals might notice a subtle change in the landscape. While northern states experience dramatic bursts of...
Anne Yasalonis
Sep 30, 2024
Spooky Plantings and Haunting Fall Containers
Many people like a pop of color to draw attention to a focal point in their landscape and what better way to do than then with a colorful...
Shannon Carnevale
Sep 30, 2024
Florida's Carnivorous Plants are Hungry For More Than Sunshine
When we think of Florida’s natural land- scapes, images of alligators and sprawling wetlands often come to mind. But hidden among the...
Hanley Renney & Shannon Carnevale
Jul 31, 2024
Lost in the Glow: Light Pollution and its Impacts
When you think of pollution, you might think of garbage on the ground, smoke in the air, or oil in the ocean. These are types of...
Anne Yasalonis & Julie Schelb
Jul 31, 2024
Palm Care in Central Florida
Many people think of palm trees when they think of Florida. It is an iconic species and Florida’s state tree, specifically the cabbage...
Shannon Carnevale & Hanley Renney
Jul 1, 2024
What Otters Can Teach Us About Our Lakes
July is National Lake Appreciation Month, a fitting designation for one of the busiest times of year for water sports and recreation here...
Anne Yasalonis
Jul 1, 2024
Best Management Tips for Functional and Beautiful Central Florida Lawns
What is the best way to maintain a healthy lawn in central Florida? There is no secret to lawncare success. Simply following the best...
Shannon Carnevale & Hanley Renney
May 28, 2024
Tiny Dancers: Young Barred Owls Taking on the World
Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all? I’m sitting around a fire pit with my family on an early summer evening when our conversation...
Anne Yasalonis
May 28, 2024
Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is upon us, and while you are probably aware of the preparations you need to make inside the home, what about those in...
Shannon Carnevale
Apr 29, 2024
Mosquitoes: The Buzz on Florida’s Most Notorious Insects
Mosquitoes are a familiar nuisance in Florida, heralding the warmer months with their unwelcome presence. Beyond their itchy bites, these...
Anne Yasalonis
Apr 29, 2024
Incorporating Edible Plants into your Ornamental Landscape
Did you know that you can plant your vegetables and herbs alongside your ornamental perennials, shrubs, and trees? Most people think...
Shannon Carnevale
Apr 1, 2024
Cypress Trees: A Conduit of Culture and History
Woven into the fabric of Polk County’s heritage, cypress trees have a storied history and cultural significance. Native American cultures...
Shannon Carnevale
Mar 1, 2024
Florida’s Fiery Season:The Importance of Prescribed Burns
Fire, often perceived with apprehension, plays a pivotal role in maintaining Florida’s diverse ecosystems. Today, I’ll be chatting about...
Shannon Carnevale
Feb 1, 2024
Navigating El Niño: What It Means for Polk County’s Dry Season
As winter unfolds, a special guest, El Niño, is set to influence our weather patterns significantly. Known for altering weather on a...
Shannon Carnevale
Jan 2, 2024
Gentle Giants of the Sky: American White Pelicans
As our holiday seasons come to a close, Polk County residents and visitors are treated to a spectacular natural event: the arrival of...
Shannon Carnevale
Nov 28, 2023
Building a Bird-Friendly Polk County: Tips for Cavity-Nester Conservation
December is the perfect time to learn about the fascinating world of our cavity-nesting birds in Central Florida. These birds, including...
Shannon Carnevale
Oct 31, 2023
Embracing November: A Seasonal Shift in Polk County’s Natural World
As we bid farewell to the hurricane season and the wetter months, November brings a refreshing change to Polk County. You might have...
Shannon Carnevale
Sep 26, 2023
Greetings, Brave Souls of the Neighborhood
As the twilight of the spooky season creeps upon us, the air fills with whispers and rustles - not from wandering spirits but from our...
Shannon Carnevale
Jul 31, 2023
Trees and Hurricanes
In the bustling heart of Florida, Polk County stands out for its abundant agricultural lands, plentiful wildlife, and alluring...
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