THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life?

• The survey is now closed, but we look forward to hearing from you again next fall! If you have comments or topics for next season, submit them at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com

Although fireworks are a staple for celebrations around the world, the explosives almost always contain pollutants like heavy metals, perchlorates, and aerosols, which harm air and water quality. The noise and flashes can startle many organisms, sometimes leading to nesting birds scattering, leaving their young vulnerable to predators. The good news is, there are many alternatives to traditional fireworks shows— making the switch would help protect Florida wildlife and ecosystems. Learn More:

• Not just a flash in the pan: short and long term impacts of fireworks on the environment – https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/Fulltext/PC22040
• Keeping wildlife safe on Independence Day –https://www.fws.gov/story/keeping-wildlife-safe-independence-day
• Birds flee en mass from New Year's Eve fireworks –https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/22/6/1173/218852#79500851

How You Can Help:

• Search for a "Drone Light Show" or "Laser Light Show" near you to watch instead of doing your own fireworks at home. Or, watch a local city or town's fireworks show.
• Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons - https://www.popsci.com/environment/fireworks-alternatives/
• Consider purchasing quiet fireworks - https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/science/july-4-fireworks-quiet.html

Sources for this Episode:

• Not just a flash in the pan: short and long term impacts of fireworks on the environment – ⁠https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/Fulltext/PC22040 ⁠
• The impact of fireworks on airborne particles - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231007009685
• Environmental impacts of perchlorate with special reference to fireworks - a review - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-014-3921-4

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

THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life?

• The survey is now closed, but we look forward to hearing from you again next fall! If you have comments or topics for next season, submit them at ⁠www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com⁠

If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms" commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so...here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more in today’s episode.

Learn More:

• Protecting Florida Together - https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/
• Marine HABs - https://myfwc.com/redtide/
• Freshwater HABs - https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom
• U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms - https://hab.whoi.edu/

How You Can Help:

• Limit your contribution to excess nutrients by fertilizing only when necessary, ensuring you blow grass clippings back on the landscape (not down a storm drain...that’s illegal), plant native plants to help with nutrient uptake, and check that your down spout is directed into your landscape and not down your driveway.
• Report an algal bloom in a freshwater system - www.reportalgalbloom.com
• Report fish kills at the Fish Kill Hotline 1-800-636-0511
• Avoid contact with water that has algae blooms

Sources for this Episode:

• Historical Occurrence of HABs - https://hab.whoi.edu/about/historical-occurrence-of-habs/
• An Introduction to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Florida - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOi156_jl9c
• Harmful Algal Blooms - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/harmful_algal_blooms

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

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

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!

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

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!

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