Since 2014, UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant agents have engaged citizen scientists to help gather data that managers need to evaluate coastal waters. Agents train citizens in agency-approved water quality-testing protocols and provide them with the equipment they need. While the data cannot be used for regulatory purposes, it provides researchers and managers a higher resolution view of trends…

By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu FLORIDA – Florida’s coral reef ecosystems are at a critical state of vulnerability and in need of conservation efforts. Of much concern is the Southeast Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, also referred to as the Coral ECA, the northernmost part of Florida’s reef tract stretching from the…

Three graduate students at Florida universities have been named recipients of scholarships from the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Sciences. The winners are Scott Alford, a doctoral student at University of Florida; Amy Fellgren, a master’s student at University of West Florida; and Katherine Harris, a master’s student at University of Central Florida. Since 1986,…

Living shorelines use natural materials like sand, oysters, and marsh grass to protect coastal property from erosion and to promote ecosystem health and improved water quality. UF/IFAS Sea Grant agents and affiliate researchers have created a series of documents that describe how living shorelines function, what their benefits are, as well as permitting and installation…

Angela Collins, UF/IFAS Extension Sea Grant agent in Manatee, Hillsborough and Sarasota counties, has been awarded the 2020 Don Sweat Sea Grant Extension Award. “It truly is an honor and I am humbled by the nomination,” Collins said. “I am very proud to work with such an amazing group of people.” The award is presented annually to a…

Updated 1/12/2020: The episode is now live. Enjoy below! Florida Sea Grant affiliate researcher, Ashley Smyth, will be featured this Saturday, January 9, on the CBS television show, Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove! The program “celebrates women who have become superstars in STEM-related careers” and is geared to a K-12 audience. On the show, Smyth,…