Brazillian Peppertree

The Brazillian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia, is one of the most invasive plants in Florida. Native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, this aggressive plant was introduced as an ornamental plant and now inhabits over 700,000 acres of terrestrial and aquatic habitats throughout the state. This small tree or evergreen shrub can grow to 30 feet tall and will shade out all other plants beneath its dense canopy. A variety of birds and mammals such as raccoons and opossums eat the berries and disperse the seed on the land and in waterways.
From September through November the peppertree blooms with 2-3 inch white flower clusters. Bright red berries appear in November. Floridians once called this plant the Florida Holly and used its branches for Christmas decorations. Brazillian peppertree is a member of the Anacardiaceae family which includes poison ivy and poison sumac. Human skin may be sensitive to the plant and some folks may experience respiratory issues. It has been declared a Class I -“Prohibited Aquatic Plant” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Control methods include mechanical removal, chemical treatment, and biological treatment which includes two insects – Brazilian peppertree thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini, and Yellow Brazilian peppertree leaf gallers, Calophya latiforceps.
Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam lian
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American Kestrel

The American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, is our nation’s smallest falcon with a wingspan of no more than 24 inches. It is a common sight throughout the US including in Florida from the panhandle to the central part of the state. Kestrels are common winter visitors in southern Florida.
Look for American Kestrels in areas that are open with a few trees and low-growing vegetation. Kestrels adapt to human-created pastures and parks. Longleaf pine forests are perfect habitats for breeding.
An American Kestrel’s diet is made up of mostly insects such as grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, and beetles. They will also eat small birds and rodents including lizards, frogs, mice, bats, and songbirds. Most often the Kestrel will swoop down from a perch to catch prey. When in open areas, the kestrel will fly over the area and catch the prey in flight. Kestrels generally hunt during the day.
Males search for places suitable for a nest. He will show the female a variety of options including cavities in a tree such as an old woodpecker hole, crevices in buildings, or human-provided nesting boxes. The female will choose the nest and lay 4-5 eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for up to a month. The male provides most of the food until the young fledge when they are about 1 month old.
Although American Kestrels are currently abundant, there is still cause for concern. Clearing of land for development, cutting down the dead trees they rely on for nesting sites, and pesticides that destroy their food sources have caused their populations to decline by 1.39% each year between 1966 and 2017. (North American Breeding Bird Survey.) This puts them on track for a population decline of 50% by 2075.
Consider putting up a nest box for a pair of American Kestrels. Learn who is running for office in your city, county, and state. Ask what their platform is on environmental justice. Advocate for Florida’s wildlife including American Kestrels and their habitats before it’s too late. Because: Extinct is Forever.
Photo Credit: David Gale
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Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park contains 4,886 acres where 15 species of protected animals and eight species of protected plants thrive. It is located in Stuart, Martin County between the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and U.S. 1.
Saunter over 30 miles of trails that wind through a hydric hammock, wet flatwoods, and a wet prairie. Note the remains of drainage ditches from long ago. Reveal in the sounds of the wetlands as you experience this tropical paradise.
Enjoy the Sabal palms and live oaks overhead. Look for wax myrtle, wild coffee, and saw palmetto along the trails. Keep a keen eye out for protected cinnamon ferns, royal ferns, giant leather ferns, giant air plants, common wild pine, and threatened snowy orchids.
Sandhill cranes, ibises, herons, egrets, and wood storks are common sights at the preserve. Look for alligators and manatees. Gopher tortoises can be found in the sandy habitat of the upland at the preserve. Watch for bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks, and swallow-tailed kites soaring through the sky.
Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park has limited access and requires a gate code.
Photo Credit: Courtney Smith
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Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, is one of the fastest birds in the world and may reach speeds up to 238 miles per hour when swooping down on prey. From hummingbirds to Sandhill cranes, birds are the major source of food for the Peregrine Falcon. Bats, other small mammals, and insects add variety to their diets. The falcon will perch high in a tree or soar high in the sky while looking for food. From 300-3000 feet, the falcon will begin its stoop, dive upon the bird, and in a blink of an eye, stun it by hitting it hard or grabbing the prey with its feet. The power behind the speed of the falcon’s flight allows it to strike a bird in the air and cause it to fall to the ground. A quick bite through the neck kills the bird. Rock pigeons are easy prey near cities while shorebirds and ducks are a favorite meal along Florida’s coasts.
Between 1950 and 1970, DDT poisoning caused the Peregrine Falcon to be declared an Endangered Species. The North American Breeding Bird Survey now considers the population to be stabilized.
Although Peregrine Falcons can be found on 6 continents, they are still an uncommon sight and in Florida can be seen on rare occasions during winter.
Fun Fact: Peregrine means wanderer. Northern breeders migrate from the Arctic tundra all the way to South America.
Photo Credit: David Gale
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Blue-winged Teal

Blue-winged Teals, Spatula discors, are dabbling ducks who migrate long distances to their winter homes. These small ducks breed in Canada and the United States before heading south to places as far away as South America. They are one of the earliest migrants to arrive in Florida.
Look for Blue-winged Teals in marshes and wetlands swimming in tranquil brackish water or freshwater. They can often be seen in groups with other dabbling ducks. Their diet includes aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans, and vegetation. However, in winter, they add more seeds such as water lilies and rice to their diets. Watch Blue-winged teals find food by dipping their bills into the water or immersing their heads in the water in a “bottoms-up” posture.
Photo Credit: David Gale and KonStudio
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Split Oak Forest WEA

Split Oak Forest is a 2,000 acres of wildlife conservation area located south of Orlando near Lake Nona. It is named for the 200-year-old oak tree that split in the middle and lived. Portions of the forest were once utilized for cattle operations and turpentine. However, Florida acquired Split Oak Forest in 1994 using funds from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Mitigation Park Program. The area is now used to protect the gopher tortoise and other species of wildlife that are federally listed and to restore and maintain the forest for the critical benefits of the state. FWC manages this Wildlife and Environmental Area.
Split Oak Forest is the home of various animal species, including sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, butterflies, kestrels, woodpeckers, and songbirds. The forest is also home to various rare plant species. The area has scrub and prairie that includes sandhill terrain. There are also a couple of ponds and Lake Hart borders the north side of the forest. This makes it the perfect spot to saunter while spotting various species of animals.
Split Oak Forest provides about 24 miles of Great Birding and Wildlife trails to enjoy alone or with family and friends. There are five named and marked trails in Split Oak: North/South Trail (5.2 miles), Lake Loop (under a mile), Center Trail (0.9 miles), Swamp Trail (0.7 miles), and the County Line Trail (0.3 miles). The remaining trails are not marked on the map and have no names. Nevertheless, those unmarked trails serve as firebreaks to maintain the ecosystems of the park.
The trails are half-shaded and half exposed so you will have the chance to be exposed to the sun while strolling or relaxing under the shadows of the trees. You can also head to the Bonnet Pond Overlook to sit down, enjoy the beautiful view and refreshing air to clear your mind. Regardless of your plans, you will have a great experience exploring the forest since it has an option for everyone.
The public can access the Split Oak Forest through Moss Park or park at 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Road. Bikes and cars are not allowed in the forest, but horses are. Look out for the variety of wildlife and plants around the park. And remember to be safe and keep yourself hydrated.
Author and Photo Credit: Steven Marquez – Student, Valencia College iof, imagineourflorida,
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Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl
The majestic Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, is a delightful sight to behold. This bird of prey is common throughout Florida and can be found in forests, wetlands, yards, and cities. The piercing yellow eyes of the Great Horned Owl do not move in their sockets. The owl will swivel its neck more than 180 degrees in both directions to see its surroundings. You have most likely heard the owl’s unmistakable, hauntingly deep hooting voice.
Female Great Horned Owls lay 1 brood each year of 1-4 eggs in a nest in a tree. The nest is made of sticks and is usually one built by another species. The owls may line the nest with leaves, fur and feathers from their prey, or feathers plucked from their own chests. They may also nest on the ground, in the cavity of a tree, in abandoned human structures, or on a platform designed especially for them.
Great Horned Owls have talons that exert up to 28 pounds of force when used to sever the spines of captured prey. Meals consist of frogs, rats, squirrels, crows, doves, and more. They will snack on insects, scorpions, and reptiles. Great Horned Owls also prey on animals larger than themselves including other owls, Osprey, and falcons.
Great Horned Owls mate for life. The couple defends their territory together but they roost separately. Look for them diving for prey near dawn and dusk. You may also witness raptors, crows, or songbirds loudly calling them, pecking at them, and dive-bombing them with just cause. As long as Great Horned Owls occupy their territory, the other birds risk becoming their prey.
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Great Horned Owl populations declined by 33% between 1966 and 2015 due to over-hunting. Today, it is illegal to hunt owls and their populations naturally fluctuate depending on the prey available.
Photo Credit: Paul Waller
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Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital is a charitable corporation that began operating in 1986. It is located in The Keys in the city of Marathon. Since its beginning, the Turtle Hospital has served as a sanctuary for injured and sick turtles. The main goal is to rescue, rehab, and release injured and sick turtles. Additionally, they are also dedicated to the education of the public through outreach programs and local schools. With the cooperation of the University of Florida and the University of Georgia College of Vet Medicine, the Turtle Hospital has been researching the fibropapilloma virus that produces tumors that can be lethal to some sea turtles. The corporation also serves as an advocate for environmental legislation that makes beaches and waters a safe and unpolluted environment for sea turtles. When patients are not able to return to the wild due to their conditions, the Turtle Hospital takes them in as permanent residents.
Since its founding, the Turtle Hospital has treated and released over 1,500 sea turtles. The Turtle Hospital possesses a rehabilitation facility that consists of 23 individual tanks that range from 150-800 gallons each, and a large tank of 100,000 gallons. In addition, the hospital has acquired through donations from local hospitals, doctors, organizations, and individuals up-to-date equipment for sizes on various species and surgeries of sea turtles. The hospital has treated a variety of ailments, ranging from intestinal impactions caused by ingestion of foreign materials, Fibropapillomatosis, shell damages caused by boat collision, and entanglement injuries from foreign matter. After rehabilitation is complete, the turtles are returned to their habitat. Depending on the species, each turtle is released in a specific manner and at suitable locations.
The public can visit the facilities of the Turtle Hospital by joining one of its 90 minutes educational programs that takes place from 9 AM to 4 PM every 30 minutes. The Turtle Hospital is located at 2396 Overseas Highway. Visiting the Turtle Hospital alone or with family and friends is a great way to connect with nature and learn more about sea turtles.
For more information, visit: https://www.turtlehospital.org/
Author: Steven Marquez – Student, Valencia College
Photo Credit: Dan Kon tle
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Canada Goose

The Canada Goose, Branta canadensis, is a year-round resident of Central Florida. However, some Canada Geese breed in the Arctic and migrate south for the winter. Look for these striking geese foraging in fields, parks, golf courses, and urban and suburban lawns or dabbling in ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Their winter diet consists of berries, seeds, and grains. During the summer, they prefer sedges and grasses.
Canada Geese who call Florida home mate in spring. The female builds a nest of plant material and grasses on the ground. She lays 2-8 eggs and incubates them for about 30 days while her mate guards the nest. If threatened, the couple who have mated for life will aggressively defend their nest. The goslings often remain with their parents for a year.
Fun Fact: Canada geese choose mates who are close to them in size. Scientists refer to this process as assortative mating.
Photo Credit Andy Waldo
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Sunshine Mimosa

Sunshine Mimosa
Are you looking for a native groundcover that attracts pollinators and looks beautiful all year long? Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) is a fast-growing ground cover with adorable pink puffballs. It’s sometimes called “powderpuff mimosa”.
A popular trait of sunshine mimosa is the nastic response. When the leaves are touched it alters the turgor pressure in the extensor cells and causes the leaves to retract. When this happens potassium and chloride molecules leave the cells. This leads to osmosis, a mechanism that occurs when water flows towards the higher salt concentration. In this case, water flows out of those cells and reduces the turgor pressure so the leaves will close.
Do you have sunshine mimosa in your yard? What is your favorite quality of this plant?
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
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Lake Monroe Wayside

Lake Monroe Wayside
A little bit of history. A little bit of nature. Three floating boat docks on beautiful Lake Monroe. Sandwiched between Hwy 17-92 and a railroad on one side and I-4 on the other lies the 3.5 acre Lake Monroe Wayside. The 3.5 acre park in Sanford is home to the first electrically operated bridge in Florida. Saunter along the Lake Monroe Bridge which has been preserved as a fishing pier and offers alluring views of the lake and the park. Launch your boat from one of the docks and enjoy the sights and sounds on the 9,406-acre Lake Monroe.
Look for wading birds and water birds near the lake. Songbirds can be heard singing over the sounds of traffic and trains. Trees including cypress and the bridge offer perfect perches for a variety of birds. Bring a snack or your lunch and picnic under one of the pavilions while marveling at the wildlife who make their homes in this little piece of nature.
Ph0to Credit: Dan Kon
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Coffee Bean Snail

Coffee bean snails, Melampus Coffee, is a species of snail commonly found in the mangroves forests of Southwestern Florida. The Coffee Melampus is a land snail that uses specialized tissue to breathe air. However, this specialized tissue called a lung is different from the respiratory system found in vertebrate animals.
The shell is thick and its aperture has small serrations internally. Because of the shell’s color pattern and shape resembling a coffee bean, this species of snail became known as the Coffee Bean Snail.
The coffee bean snail feeds on decaying matter and plants. They also are a significant food source for a variety of species.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Author: Steven Marquez – Student, Valencia College
Work Cited:
Leal, John H., “The Coffee Melampus.” Bailey-Matthews National Shell
Museum Accessed 25 Nov 2021.
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