Links to Some of Sensing Nature's Favorites
Have a favorite science-based website? Share it with us. Click "About Us," then "Contact Us" and email the name of the organization/topic and the website link.
Also, if you wouldn't mind, please let us know if any of these links are not working correctly. That way we can keep this resource as useful to you as possible. Thanks!
Have a favorite science-based website? Share it with us. Click "About Us," then "Contact Us" and email the name of the organization/topic and the website link.
Also, if you wouldn't mind, please let us know if any of these links are not working correctly. That way we can keep this resource as useful to you as possible. Thanks!
Alphabetical by Organization or General Topic:
A ________________________________________________________________
Alternative Energy
"Optimizing Wind Power Generation while Minimizing Wildlife Impacts in an Urban Area" - Link
American Alligator
"...sustaining the prevalence of the wild American Alligator population is critical for sustaining the Florida Everglades and all the life, humans included, that depend on it." - Ecological Society of America
American Bird Conservancy - Link
Amphibians
Ants
Arachnids
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants - Link
Joint effort by the Institute for Systematic Botany, the University of South Florida and the Florida Center for Community Design & Research to provide a comprehensive searchable database of vascular plants in the State of Florida.
Audubon Florida - Link
B ________________________________________________________________
Bats
- Bat House Plans from the Florida Bat Conservancy - Link
- White-nose Syndrome, USGS National WIldlife Health Center - Link
- Humans Spreading White-nose Syndrome: Why Decontamination is Important, USFWS - Link
- Spread of White-nose Syndrome as of 5/2016 - Now Found in 26 States and 5 Canadian Provinces causing 90-100% Mortality, USFWS Link
- Rabies & Bats, CDC - Link
- Rabies & Histoplasmosis; FWC Link
Bees - see Insects
Bill Jackson's Shop for Adventure - Link
Fantastic sporting goods store located in Pinellas Park
Birds
- Migration Game Online, Smithsonian - Link
- Migration Educational Resources, Smithsonian - Link1; Link2
- Professional Development
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Link
American Ornithologists' Union - Link
- Wall of Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Interactive, large-scale mural features species from all surviving bird families alongside a select group of extinct ancestors. (Really cool!) - Link
- Young Birders Network, AOU - Link
- Get Involved - Nesting Birds on Rooftops Need Your Help - Link
- Newsletter "The Wrack" (all issues) - Link
- Newsletter "The Wrack," June 2016 - Link to pdf
- Magnolia Warbler - Link
- Northern Pintail (duck) - Link
- Yellow-rumped Warbler - Link
- Wood Thrush (songbird) - Link
- Right Bird, Right House - Find out what birds are in your region and habitat that would use a nest box or nesting structure? Link
- Barn Owl - Nest Box Plans - Link
- Barred Owl - Nest Box Plans - Link
- Carolina Chickadee - Next Box Plans - Link
- Carolina Wren - Next Box Plans - Link
- Eastern Bluebird - Next Box Plans - Link
- Eastern Screech Owl - Next Box Plans - Link
- Great-crested Flycatcher - Next Box Plans - Link
- Great Horned Owl - Nest Cone Plans - Link
- Osprey - Nest Platform Plans - Link
- Northern Flicker - Next Box Plans - Link
- Pileated Woodpecker - Next Box Plans - Link
- Purple Martin - Next Box Plans - Link
- Tufted Titmouse - Next Box Plans - Link
- Wood Duck - Next Box Plans - Link
- Nature Photographers Network - Link This report is based on the first-ever conservation vulnerability assessment for all 1,154 native bird species that occur in Canada, the continental United States, and Mexico.
Bird Monitoring - See "Citizen Science Opportunities - Jay Watch"
Black Bear - See "Mammals"
Brooker Creek Preserve - Link
Pinellas County's largest preserve located in Tarpon Springs.
Butterflies & Moths - also see "Caterpillars"
Many of these links are being shared from the website "Machele White's Moths of Lake County, Central Florida" - Link
Moth Families & Subfamilies
C ________________________________________________________________
Caterpillars - also see "Butterflies & Moths"
Many of these links are being shared from the "Machele White's Moths of Lake County, Central Florida" website - LINK
Center for Biological Diversity - Link
Works through science, law and creative media to secure a future for all species, great or small, hovering on the brink of extinction.
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health - Link
Utilizing partnerships & information technology to advance invasive species, forestry & agriculture education.
Citizen Science Opportunities Online tool providing distribution maps and species information, and a portal for online reporting of non-native plants and animals. Invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops and threaten our health. Invasions of exotic species cost Floridians over $500 million each year. The economic costs are small compared to the ecological ones. Hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1
- Get Involved - Nesting Birds on Rooftops Need Your Help - Link
Clearwater Audubon Society - Link
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Link
Climate Change / Sea Level Rise
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) - Link
Think Locally, Act Neighborly - Invasive Species Know No Boundaries!
Crabs
- Recreational Harvesting Regulations - Link
- Florida Stock Assessments, Tampa Bay Health Assessments, FAQs - Link
- Taxon Details, World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) - Link
- "The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago," University of the West Indies - Link
- Worldwide Distribution - Link
Crocodiles
Includes American alligator, American crocodile and Spectacled Caiman - Link
D ________________________________________________________________
Dragonflies
E ________________________________________________________________
Economics of Wildlife Viewing
Email Lists / Electronic Newsletter Lists Sensing Nature Recommends for Keeping Up to Date:
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) - Link
Free online resource bringing together information about all life on Earth including text, images, video, sounds, maps, classifications and more.
Environmental Education Organizations:
Environmental Education Resources:
Envirothon North America - Link
A problem-solving, natural resource education competition for high school students.
Everglades
Evolution
F _____________________________________________________
Fish
Fish and Wildlife Reserach Institute (FWRI) - Link
Division of FWC; work includes assessment and restoration of ecosystems and studies of freshwater and marine fisheries, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, imperiled species, and red tides.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) - Link
Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) - Link
Supports the management of invasive exotic plants in Florida's natural areas by providing a forum for the exchange of scientific, educational and technical information. (Organization formerly called Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council - FLEPPC)
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) - Link
The mission of the FMNP is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. The FMNP is an adult education UF/IFAS Extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by Sensing Nature, Extension offices and other participating organizations throughout Florida.
Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
Florida Native Plant Society - Link
The Florida Ornithological Society - Link
Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism - Link
Florida State Parks - see "Florida Department of Environmental Protection"
Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN) - Link
Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists - Link
Not-for-profit environmental organization supporting the mission and goals of the UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program; mostly composed of Pinellas County FMNP graduates.
Frogs & Toads
All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads.
Florida frog species information, their calls - Link
G ________________________________________________________________
Geology
Gopher Tortoise - See "Tortoises & Turtles"
H ________________________________________________________________
I _________________________________________________________________
Imperiled Species
Species of Special Concern, Threatened, Endangered
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Link
Insects - also see "Invasive Exotic Species - Animals," "Pesticides," "Plants; Landscaping"
- "Bee-proofing for Florida Residents," - University of Florida - Link
- 'Florida Beneficial or Natural Enemies' - Link to slideshow
- 'Florida Biting and Stinging Pests' - Link to slideshow
- 'Florida Bug Babies' - Link to slideshow
Invasive Exotic Species - Animals
- Cats Indoors - Better for Cats. Better for Birds. Better for People. Pdf of Peer-reviewed Scientific Article
- Cats Indoors - Short Videos / Public Service Announcements. Link
- How to Make Your Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat - Link to Document
- Rabies Prevention and Management of Cats in the Context of Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release Programs Publication by Roebling et al; Publication
- Toxoplasmosis - Important Message for Cat Owners, CDC - Link, Pdf
- Why Allowing Cats Outdoors is Hazardous to Cats, Wildlife, and Humans - Publication; PSA
- Zoonotic Diseases Associates with Free-Roaming Cats - Link to Peer-reviewed Scientific Article
- How to ID - Think You Found One? USDA - Link
- US Map Where Detected, USDA - Link
- Host Plants of the BMSB, USDA - Link
- Don't Want to See This Damage in Our Grocery Stores! Photos from USDA - Link
- Video about What to Do with BMSB in Your Yard and Inside Your Home, Univ. Maryland Extension - Link
- Article about BMSB, Clearwater Patch 5/9/16 - Link
- See "Global Invasive Species Database"
- See "International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)"
- See "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
- See "University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation"
Invasive Exotic Species - Plants
- "The Turtle and the Tree" - Keywaydin Island (southwest Florida) story about how nesting loggerhead sea turtle habitat was restored after removal of the invasive exotic Australian Pine. Great for youths! Video Link
- See "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
- See "University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation"
Invertebrates that are Non-Insects (for insects, see 'Insects')
J ________________________________________________________________
K ________________________________________________________________
L ________________________________________________________________
Landscaping in Florida
Educational Moment: the term 'Florida-friendly' does not mean native. According to the Adopting a Florida-friendly Landscape publication by UF/IFAS, "a Florida-Friendly yard is an environmentally sound yard that conserves and protects Florida’s waterways, soil, wildlife, and energy." Unfortunately, the term Florida-friendly is often misused by some garden departments, stores, and landscapers to sell you invasive exotic plants like Lantana camera, Mexican petunia, oyster plant, and many others. Wretched! Invasive exotics are devastating to our natural areas, including our waterways, soils and wildlife, which rely on our native plants' survival. Not very friendly, we'd say! So, buyer beware. Non-native plants can be okay here and there, although they usually aren't as beneficial to our wildlife or environment as our native plants are.
Instead of non-native plants, consider supporting one of your local nurseries that carry native plants and purchase your plants there. Wherever you go, just make sure the plants you are choosing as Florida-friendly are actually friendly to Florida, and not just friendly to someone else's pocketbook.
League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) - Link
Living with Wildlife
Lizards
M ________________________________________________________________
Making a Positive Difference
Mammals
Commissioners in Seminole County — an area that state wildlife biologists have called the epicenter of Florida for bear and human encounters — plan to send a clear message to state officials: We do not want another bear hunt in Florida this year." - 5/21/16, Link
- Rapid adaptive evolution of northeastern coyotes via hybridization with wolves, The Royal Society Publishing - Link
- Florida Panther Genetics - Link
- FWC documents panther kittens north of Caloosahatchee River, March 2017 - Link
- Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Panthers, UF/IFAS - Link
- PantherNet: Natural History - Link
- Protecting Your Property (& Pets) from Wildlife Damage - Link
- Puma in U.S. & Canada - Historic and Current Range - Link
- Safe Roads for People and Panther - Link
- Also see "Tracks, Scats & Signs"
- Life History, Defenders of Wildlife - Link
- Life History, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- Map of Historic Range, International Wolf Center - Link
- Timeline, International Wolf Center - Link
- Eastern Gray Squirrels & Fox Squirrels, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Link
- Fox Squirrel, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- A Species Action Plan for the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger avicennia - Link
- Classification of Wolves and other Canids - Link
- How Do States Estimate Their Wolf Populations? Link
Mangrove Forests
Marine Species
- Photogallery - Link
- Taxon Tree - Link
Mining
Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater - Link
Mote Marine Laboratory - Link
N ________________________________________________________________
National Association for Interpretation (NAI) - Link
National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) - Link
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Link
National Wildlife Health Center - See "United States Geological Survey"
National Wildlife Refuge System - Link
O ________________________________________________________________
OCEARCH
Global Shark Tagging (fantastic monitoring info!) - Link
Ocean Conservancy - Link
Oil Spill Impacts - Link
P ________________________________________________________________
Panther - See "Mammals"
Pesticides
Pets
Plants
Pollution
S ________________________________________________________________
Salamaders
Sea Turtles
Sharks - see "Fishes"
Shell Key Shuttle - Link
Slugs
Florida Terrestrial Slugs - Link
Snakes
Do not catch or handle any snake unless you are sure it is not venomous. Do know that nonvenomous snakes are not 'harmless.' They can and often do bite; they just are not venomous.
Pine Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link1, Link2
Short-tailed Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link1, Link2
Southern Hognose Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link
Identification Key for Florida Snakes, Florida Musuem of Natural History - Link
Online Guide to Venomous Snakes, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
Species of Venomous Snakes in Florida
Snails
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) - Link
Spiders
Stink Bug Invasion - Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
New Invasive Exotic from Asia; Brown marmorated stink bug has been detected in 42 states and two Canadian provinces, posing severe agricultural problems in nine states and nuisance problems in seventeen others.
St. Petersburg Audubon Society - Link
Strange, but True
T ________________________________________________________________
Tampa Bay Estuary Program - Link
Tampa Bay Planning Council - Link
Taxonomy
Tracks, Scats & Signs of Wildlife
Tortoises & Turtles
U ________________________________________________________________
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Link
United States Fish and Wildlife Service - Link
United States Geological Survey (USGS) - Link
Science for a changing world.
- Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy - AVM is mostly a waterbird disease - eagles, coots, ducks, etc. - Link
- Coral Diseases - Link
- Lead Poisoning in Wildlife - Link
- Ranavirus - Associated die-offs in 25 states affecting 20 species of amphibians and reptiles - Link
- Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) - Found in wild snakes; Florida + 8 other states - Link
- West Nile Virus - Link
- White Nose Syndrome - Fungal bat disease eradicating many of our North American colonies - Link
- Wildlife Mortality Events, New and Ongoing in U.S. - Link
University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation - Link
Science-based information about snakes and other reptiles, frogs, toads, being a good pet owner, becoming a citizen scientist and more.
University of Florida Electronic Data Information System (EDIS) - Link
Current UF/IFAS peer-reviewed publications. Fantastic resource. A consistent "go to" for Sensing Nature.
University of Florida / IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) - Link
University of Florida / IFAS Pinellas County Extension - Link
Commercial Horticulture, Family & Consumers, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Lawn & Garden / Master Gardener Program, Marine & Coastal, Natural Resources, Sustainable Living & Sustainable Floridians Program, 4-H, Urban Agriculture
V ________________________________________________________________
Visit Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - Link
Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater - Pinellas County Convention & Visitors Bureau - Link
W ________________________________________________________________
Weather
Weedon Island Preserve - Link
Wildlife &/or Zoonotic Diseases
The Wildlife Society - Link
Founded in 1937, the organization’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation.” The Wildlife Society enhances our members’ networking and learning opportunities, professional and career development, and provides numerous ways for them to get more involved in creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) - Link
WHOI maintains unparalleled depth and breadth of expertise across a range of oceanographic research areas. Institution scientists and engineers work collaboratively within and across six research departments to advance knowledge of the global ocean and its fundamental importance to other planetary systems. At the same time, they also train future generations of ocean scientists and address problems that have a direct impact in efforts to understand and manage critical marine resources.
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) - Link
Provides an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including information on synonymy. While highest priority goes to valid names, other names in use are included so that this register can serve as a guide to interpret taxonomic literature.
X ________________________________________________________________
Y ________________________________________________________________
Z ________________________________________________________________
Zika Virus - mosquito transmitted disease
A ________________________________________________________________
Alternative Energy
"Optimizing Wind Power Generation while Minimizing Wildlife Impacts in an Urban Area" - Link
American Alligator
"...sustaining the prevalence of the wild American Alligator population is critical for sustaining the Florida Everglades and all the life, humans included, that depend on it." - Ecological Society of America
- "The American alligator and its importance to the Florida Everglades" by Ecological Society of America - Link
- American Alligator: Species Profile, National Park Service - Link
- American Alligator, National Wildlife Federation - Link
- "A Guide to Living with Alligators" by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) - Link
- Crocodilians of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- American Alligator (native), American Crocodile (native), Spectacled Caiman (invasive exotic)
- "Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality" by UF/IFAS Extension - Link
- "The American Alligator: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration" by UF/IFAS Extension - Link
- "Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Alligators" by UF/IFAS Extension - Link
- "Role of American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in Measuring Restoration Success in the Florida Everglades," 2003 Poster, by USGS, UF/IFAS, USFWS, Wofford College - Link
- Alligator Educational Resources for Kids by FWC - Link
- "Florida man fleeing police dies after alligator attack," 11/15 - Link; also see #22 on FWC's list - Link
- "FWC Alligator Bites on People in Florida," 1948 through April 2016 = only 23 fatal alligator attacks in 67.5 years! - Link
American Bird Conservancy - Link
- Cats Indoors - Better for Cats. Better for Birds. Better for People - Link
- Cats Indoors - Short Videos / Public Service Announcements - Link
- How to Make Your Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat - Brochure Link
- Rabies Prevention and Management of Cats in the Context of Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release Programmes - Link
- Why Allowing Cats Outdoors is Hazardous to Cats, Wildlife, and Humans - Link
- Zoonotic Diseases Associated with Free-Roaming Cats - Peer-reviewed Scientific Article Link, Gerhold and Jessup 2012
Amphibians
- AmphibiaWeb - Link
- See "Frogs and Toads"
Ants
- Bigheaded Ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius) - a very successful invasive species that is sometimes considered a danger to native ants and has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders (Hoffman 2006). Featured Creatures, UF & Florida Dept. of Agriculture - Link
- BugGuide - ID, Images & Information - Link
- Elongate Twig Ant, Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Fabricius) - Link
- Featured Creatures, UF & Florida Dept. of Agriculture - In-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms - Link
Arachnids
- BugGuide - Identification, Images, & Information for Insects, Spiders & Their Kin in U.S. & Canada
- Featured Creatures, UF & Florida Dept of Ag - In-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms - Link
- Florida Scorpions, UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service - Link to pdf
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants - Link
Joint effort by the Institute for Systematic Botany, the University of South Florida and the Florida Center for Community Design & Research to provide a comprehensive searchable database of vascular plants in the State of Florida.
Audubon Florida - Link
- Audubon Florida Resources / Document Library - Link
B ________________________________________________________________
Bats
- Bat Houses - Link
- Bat House Plans from the Florida Bat Conservancy - Link
- Bats in Florida, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) - Link1; Link2
- "Bats of Florida," UF/IFAS Extension Publication - Link
- "Conservation of Bats in Florida," UF/IFAS Extension Publication - Link
- "Dealing with Unwanted Wildlife in an Urban Environment," UF/IFAS Extension Publication - Link
- Excluding Bats from Buildings - Link1; Link2; Link3
- Florida Bat Conservancy (FBC), non-profit organization - Link
- Florida's Bat Species - Link1; Link2
- Found Bat on Ground or on Wall - What to Do? - Link
- How to Capture a Bat, CDC - Link
- "Infectious Diseases of Florida's Wildlife," UF/IFAS Extension Publication - Link
- "Insect Pest Management Services Provided by Bats," UF/IFAS Extension Publication - Link
- "Living with Bats," FWC - Link to pdf
- Maternity Season starts April 15, FWC - Link
- Tampa Bay Bats, non-profit organization - Link
- White-nose Syndrome (WNS)
- White-nose Syndrome, USGS National WIldlife Health Center - Link
- Humans Spreading White-nose Syndrome: Why Decontamination is Important, USFWS - Link
- Spread of White-nose Syndrome as of 5/2016 - Now Found in 26 States and 5 Canadian Provinces causing 90-100% Mortality, USFWS Link
- Zoonotic Diseases - diseases spread between animals and people. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Some of these diseases are very common. (Center for Disease Control definition)
- Rabies & Bats, CDC - Link
- Rabies & Histoplasmosis; FWC Link
Bees - see Insects
Bill Jackson's Shop for Adventure - Link
Fantastic sporting goods store located in Pinellas Park
Birds
- Anatomy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Link
- Apps
- Bird ID App ($ free), Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Link
- American Bird Conservancy - Link
- Audubon Florida - Link
- Audubon Florida: Beach Bird Identification - Shorebirds - Fact Sheet Link
- Audubon Florida: Identification Guide - Terns & Gulls - Fact Sheet Link
- Bald Eagle Attacks Osprey Nest - Audubon's Hog Island, Maine Video Cam - Link
- Bald Eagle Battle Ends in Florida Storm Drain, November 2016 - Link
- Bird Banding Laboratory - Link
- Bird Calls
- Educational Products for Sale
- Educational Resources
- Migration Game Online, Smithsonian - Link
- Migration Educational Resources, Smithsonian - Link1; Link2
- Professional Development
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Link
American Ornithologists' Union - Link
- Wall of Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Interactive, large-scale mural features species from all surviving bird families alongside a select group of extinct ancestors. (Really cool!) - Link
- Young Birders Network, AOU - Link
- Feather Identification - Feather Atlas, USFWS - Link
- Feeders and What to Feed - Link
- Fish Hook & Line Brochure "What to Do if You Hook a Pelican" - Brochure Link
- The Florida Ornithological Society - Link
- Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) - Link
- Get Involved - Nesting Birds on Rooftops Need Your Help - Link
- Newsletter "The Wrack" (all issues) - Link
- Newsletter "The Wrack," June 2016 - Link to pdf
- Imperiled Bird Species - See "Imperlied Speces"
- Journal Articles, The Auk and The Condor - Link
- Help Wildlife by Sharing the Beach (humorous approach) - Video Link
- "Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: Top Ten Tips for Success," University of Florida - Link
- List of All North American Birds by Common and by Scientific Names - Link
- Migration - Animated Maps by Week, NABCI - Link
- Magnolia Warbler - Link
- Northern Pintail (duck) - Link
- Yellow-rumped Warbler - Link
- Wood Thrush (songbird) - Link
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act, USFWS - Link
- Nest Boxes - All About Next Boxes, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Link
- Right Bird, Right House - Find out what birds are in your region and habitat that would use a nest box or nesting structure? Link
- Nest Boxes - "Helping Cavity Nesters in Florida," University of Florida - Link
- Nest Boxes - "Keeping Africanized Honey Bees Out of Wildlife Nest Boxes," University of Florida - Link
- Nest Box / Nest Structure Plans by Species:
- Barn Owl - Nest Box Plans - Link
- Barred Owl - Nest Box Plans - Link
- Carolina Chickadee - Next Box Plans - Link
- Carolina Wren - Next Box Plans - Link
- Eastern Bluebird - Next Box Plans - Link
- Eastern Screech Owl - Next Box Plans - Link
- Great-crested Flycatcher - Next Box Plans - Link
- Great Horned Owl - Nest Cone Plans - Link
- Osprey - Nest Platform Plans - Link
- Northern Flicker - Next Box Plans - Link
- Pileated Woodpecker - Next Box Plans - Link
- Purple Martin - Next Box Plans - Link
- Tufted Titmouse - Next Box Plans - Link
- Wood Duck - Next Box Plans - Link
- Northern Spotted Owl Populations In Rapid Decline, New Study Reports - Link
- Painting Wildlife is Illegal, FWC, Summer 2016 - Link
- Photography Resources
- Nature Photographers Network - Link This report is based on the first-ever conservation vulnerability assessment for all 1,154 native bird species that occur in Canada, the continental United States, and Mexico.
- The American Ornithologists' Union - Promoting understanding, appreciation, and conservation of bird species and populations; News, Research, Educational Resources, Citizen Science, Jobs - Link
- The Birds of North America, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology & American Ornithologists' Union - Link
- The Florida Ornithological Society - Link
Bird Monitoring - See "Citizen Science Opportunities - Jay Watch"
Black Bear - See "Mammals"
Brooker Creek Preserve - Link
Pinellas County's largest preserve located in Tarpon Springs.
- Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve - Link
- Upcoming Programs - Link
Butterflies & Moths - also see "Caterpillars"
Many of these links are being shared from the website "Machele White's Moths of Lake County, Central Florida" - Link
- Butterflies and Moths of North America collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera - Link
- Educational Products for Sale
- Featured Creatures, UF & Florida Dept of Ag - In-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms - Link
- FL Museum of Natural History, McGuire Center for Biodiversity and Lepidoptera Research - Link
- Index to the Common Names for the Florida Lepidoptera - Link
- Insects of North America by John Snyder at Furman Univ. - Link to BugGuide.net
- Moth ID at a Glance, U.S. & Canada - Link
- Moths and Butterflies of North America (successor to the USGS website) - Link
- Moths of Canada by Canadian Government - Link
- More Moth Websites - Link
- North American Moth Photographers Group - Link
- Silhouette Key to Major Moth Families - Link
Moth Families & Subfamilies
- Bombycoidea, etc. - Bombycoidea, Drepanoidea, Lasiocampoidea and Mimallonoidea of Canada
- Catocalinae - Underwing Moths of North America by Bill Oehlke
- Gelechiidae - Gelechiidae at Mississippi Entomological Museum
- Geometridae - Geometrine Species
- Geometroidea - Geometroidea of Canada
- Noctuidae - Noctuid Search
- Saturniidae - Saturniidae of the United States
- Sphingidae - Sphingidae of the United States by Bill Oehlke
- Tortricidae - Tortricid.Net
- Tortricidae - Eurasian Tortricidae Index
C ________________________________________________________________
Caterpillars - also see "Butterflies & Moths"
Many of these links are being shared from the "Machele White's Moths of Lake County, Central Florida" website - LINK
- Caterpilllar photos & info, BugGuide - Link
- Caterpillars on the Foliage of Conifers in the Northeastern United States - USDA, Forest Service - Link
- Caterpillars of Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands - USDA, Forest Service - Link
- Caterpillars of Eastern Forests - USDA, Forest Service - Link
- Educational Products for Sale
Center for Biological Diversity - Link
Works through science, law and creative media to secure a future for all species, great or small, hovering on the brink of extinction.
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health - Link
Utilizing partnerships & information technology to advance invasive species, forestry & agriculture education.
Citizen Science Opportunities Online tool providing distribution maps and species information, and a portal for online reporting of non-native plants and animals. Invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops and threaten our health. Invasions of exotic species cost Floridians over $500 million each year. The economic costs are small compared to the ecological ones. Hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1
- Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) - Link
- Get Involved - Nesting Birds on Rooftops Need Your Help - Link
- IveGot1 Smartphone App - Link
- Jay Watch - Link
- REDDy - Link
- Save the Monarch Butterfly, USFWS - Link
Clearwater Audubon Society - Link
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Link
Climate Change / Sea Level Rise
- 2013 Ocean Institutes Annual Report - Link
- The Center for Environmental Education - Link
Web-based resource for information on curriculum, resources and school monitoring. It particularly focuses on resources associated with global climate change and reducing personal and school carbon footprints. - Climate Change, Audubon Florida - Link
- Climate Change Interpreter - Link
- Climate Change, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Link
- Climate Change & Sea Level Rise, UF / IFAS - Link
- National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) - Link
- Poison Ivy Research - "Biomass and toxicity responses of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) to elevated atmospheric CO2" - Link to pdf
- Tampa Bay: A Climate-Ready Estuary, Tampa Bay Estuary Program - Link
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) - Link
- See "UF / IFAS Pinellas County Extension"
- See "United States Fish and Wildlife Service"
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) - Link
Think Locally, Act Neighborly - Invasive Species Know No Boundaries!
- Monthly CISMA Phone Call - everyone welcome to attend; educational guest speakers; Link
Crabs
- Blue Crabs, Callinectes sapidus, FWC
- Recreational Harvesting Regulations - Link
- Florida Stock Assessments, Tampa Bay Health Assessments, FAQs - Link
- Mangrove Root Crab, Goniopsis cruentata, Encyclopedia of Life - Link
- Taxon Details, World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) - Link
- "The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago," University of the West Indies - Link
- Worldwide Distribution - Link
- Mangrove Tree Crab, Aratus pisonii, Encyclopedia of Life - Link
- Mud Crabs vs. Stone Crabs, SW Florida Sea Grant - Link
Crocodiles
- Crocodilians of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Educational Products for Sale
Includes American alligator, American crocodile and Spectacled Caiman - Link
D ________________________________________________________________
Dragonflies
- Educational Products for Sale
- Identification, U.S. and Canada - Link
E ________________________________________________________________
Economics of Wildlife Viewing
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - "The 2011 Economic Benefits of Wildlife Viewing in Florida" - Link
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: National Survey Overview, National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Link
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: "Birding in the United States: a demographic and economic analysis addendum to the 2011 national survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation" - Link
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: "Economic Benefits of National Wildlife Refuges" - Link
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: "Net Worth The Economic Value of Fisheries Conservation, Fall 2011" - Link
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: "Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2011" - Link
Email Lists / Electronic Newsletter Lists Sensing Nature Recommends for Keeping Up to Date:
- Sensing Nature's Email List - Link
- Audubon Florida Email List - Link
- Center for Biological Diversity Email List - Link
- Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists - Link
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection Email List - Link
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Email List - Link
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program Electronic Newsletter Email List - Link
- UF/ IFAS Invader Updater Electronic Newsletter Email List - Link
- UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program Newsletter Email List - Link
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) - Link
Free online resource bringing together information about all life on Earth including text, images, video, sounds, maps, classifications and more.
Environmental Education Organizations:
- League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) - Link
- North American Association for Environmental Education - Link
- Sensing Nature - Link
- UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program - Link
Environmental Education Resources:
- Abandoned Mine Drainage in Pennsylvania - Link
- The Bridge – Sea Grant Ocean Sciences Education Center - Link
- The Center for Environmental Education - Link
- Climate Change Education - Link
- Curricular Activities and Instructional ResourcesThe GLOBE Program - Link
- Educational Realms - Link
- EE-link - Link
- Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence, downloadable workbook (NAAEE) - Link
- Environmental Inquiry - Link
- EPA Environmental Education Center - Link
- Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy (NMEA) - Link
- LEO EnviroSci Inquiry (Lehigh Earth Observatory) - Link
- MEERA – My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant - Link
- National Geographic Map Machine - Link
- Project Learning Tree - Link
- Project WILD - Link
- Project WET - Link
- Sprawl in the Lehigh River Watershed - Link
- Stockertown Sinkhole Dilemma - Link
- U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Link
Envirothon North America - Link
A problem-solving, natural resource education competition for high school students.
Everglades
- Everglades National Park, National Park Service - Link
- State of the Everglades, Audubon Florida - Link
Evolution
- Animation of Human Evolution - Link
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Fish
- Feeding Fish while Diving or Snorkeling is Illegal - Link
- Fish and Wildlife Reserach Institute (FWRI) - Link
- Fishing Brochure "What to Do if You Hook a Pelican" - Brochure Link
- Fishing Regulations, Florida Freshwater - Link
- Fishing Regulations, Florida Saltwater - Link
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- Knots (animated) - Link
- Male Largemouth Bass Courting a Female Bass - Florida's state freshwater fish - Link
- OCEARCH, Global Shark Tagging (fantastic monitoring information!) - Link
- Snook - Are You making These 3 Deadly Mistakes when Releasing Snook? Link
- Snook - Cryptic Mortality and Its Effects, FWC - Link
- Tarpon DNA Sampling in Boca Grande Pass - Link
- Welcome back to Katharine (great white shark), who is back in Florida waters! - Link
Fish and Wildlife Reserach Institute (FWRI) - Link
Division of FWC; work includes assessment and restoration of ecosystems and studies of freshwater and marine fisheries, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, imperiled species, and red tides.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) - Link
- Florida State Parks - Link
- "Plant Identification Tips: Upland and Wetland Invasive Exotics" - Link
Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) - Link
Supports the management of invasive exotic plants in Florida's natural areas by providing a forum for the exchange of scientific, educational and technical information. (Organization formerly called Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council - FLEPPC)
- Invasive Plant List - Link
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- Male Largemouth Bass Courting a Female Bass - Florida's state freshwater fish - Link
- Tarpon DNA Sampling in Boca Grande Pass - Link
- Horseshoe Crab Facts - Link
- Sea Turtle Lighting Ordinances - Link
Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) - Link
The mission of the FMNP is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. The FMNP is an adult education UF/IFAS Extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by Sensing Nature, Extension offices and other participating organizations throughout Florida.
Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Collections - Archaeology, Ethnography, Natural Sciences, Paleontology - Link
- Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida - Link
- "An Identification Manual for the Freshwater Snails of Florida" - Link
Florida Native Plant Society - Link
- Pinellas Chapter FNPS - Link
The Florida Ornithological Society - Link
Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism - Link
Florida State Parks - see "Florida Department of Environmental Protection"
Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN) - Link
Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists - Link
Not-for-profit environmental organization supporting the mission and goals of the UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program; mostly composed of Pinellas County FMNP graduates.
Frogs & Toads
All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads.
- Cane Toad Fact Sheet (Rhinella marina), invasive exotic - Link
- Cuban Treefrog & Its Humane Removal, invasive exotic - Link
- "The Cuban Treefrog in Florida," invasive exotic, University of Florida - Link
- Cuban Treefrog Fact Sheet (Osteopilus septentrionalis), invasive exotic - Link
- Frogs and Toads of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Florida Frogs and Toads, University of Florida - information, identification, and calls; Link
- Florida Frogs (and Toads), Dr. Steve Johnson's webpages, UF - Link
- Florida Frogs and Toads, University of Florida - range, identification, calls, photos, native or non-native, etc.; Link
- "Florida Invader - Cuban Treefrog," invasive exotic, University of Florida - Link
- Frog Listening Network - volunteer-based monitoring program; frog calls; Link
- Greenhouse Frog Fact Sheet (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), invasive exotic - Link
- Invasive Cuban Treefrogs in Florida, UF website includes how to identify this invasive exotic, how to remove it humanely, and why we should battle this species to protect our native wildlife - Link
- Invasive Cuban Treefrog Photo ID & More Info, UF - Link
- USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center - Frog Quiz
Florida frog species information, their calls - Link
- See "Amphibians"
G ________________________________________________________________
Geology
- Rocks for Kids - information about rocks and minerals. Glossaries, photos/images, links to other rock/mineral websites, and other information to develop understandings of rocks/minerals and the processes by which they are formed. Link
- See "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
Gopher Tortoise - See "Tortoises & Turtles"
H ________________________________________________________________
I _________________________________________________________________
Imperiled Species
Species of Special Concern, Threatened, Endangered
- Florida's Imperiled Species Management Plan (Summary), FWC - Link
- Florida's Imperiled Species Management Plan 2016-2026, FWC - Link
- Florida's Threatened and Endangered Species (List), January 2017 - Link
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Link
- A Species Action Plan for the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger avicennia - Link
- A Species Action Plan for Six Imperiled Wading Birds: Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), November 2013 - FWC - Link
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Link
- Red List of Threatened Species - Link
- Red List of Ecosystems - Link
Insects - also see "Invasive Exotic Species - Animals," "Pesticides," "Plants; Landscaping"
- Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, UF/IFAS - Link to pfd
- Bees
- "Bee-proofing for Florida Residents," - University of Florida - Link
- BugGuide - Identification, Images, & Information for Insects, Spiders & Their Kin in U.S. & Canada - Link
- Featured Creatures, UF & Florida Dept of Ag - In-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms - Link
- Insect ID Lab at the University of Florida - Need to name that bug? A host of experts is available to help Floridians identify any insect or related arthropod. If your mystery creature has six or more legs, the UF Insect ID Lab is the place to send it. Link
- 'Florida Beneficial or Natural Enemies' - Link to slideshow
- 'Florida Biting and Stinging Pests' - Link to slideshow
- 'Florida Bug Babies' - Link to slideshow
- Lady Beetles / Lady Bugs - Photos for ID, adults and larvae - Link
- Pests that Occasionally Invade Structures, UF/IFAS - Link to pdf
- Stinging or Venomous Insects and Related Pests, UF/IFAS - Link to pdf
- Twostriped Walkingstick, Anisomorpha buprestoides, UF/IFAS - Link to pd
Invasive Exotic Species - Animals
- Audubon Invasive Animal Fact Sheet - Link
- Cats
- Cats Indoors - Better for Cats. Better for Birds. Better for People. Pdf of Peer-reviewed Scientific Article
- Cats Indoors - Short Videos / Public Service Announcements. Link
- How to Make Your Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat - Link to Document
- Rabies Prevention and Management of Cats in the Context of Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release Programs Publication by Roebling et al; Publication
- Toxoplasmosis - Important Message for Cat Owners, CDC - Link, Pdf
- Why Allowing Cats Outdoors is Hazardous to Cats, Wildlife, and Humans - Publication; PSA
- Zoonotic Diseases Associates with Free-Roaming Cats - Link to Peer-reviewed Scientific Article
- Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) - Link
- Crocodilians of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- American Alligator (native), American Crocodile (native), Spectacled Caiman (invasive exotic)
- Cuban Treefrog & Its Humane Removal - Link
- EDDMapS IveGot1 - online tool providing distribution maps and species information, and a portal for online reporting of non-native plants and animals. Invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops and threaten our health. Invasions of exotic species cost Floridians over $500 million each year. The economic costs are small compared to the ecological ones. Hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1; Link
- Global Invasive Species Database - Link
- Invasive Exotics Tracking by Citizens, Audubon Florida - Fact Sheet Link
- IveGot1 Smartphone App - mobile app for easy reporting non-native species via EDDMapS; Link
- Stink Bug Invasion - Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
- How to ID - Think You Found One? USDA - Link
- US Map Where Detected, USDA - Link
- Host Plants of the BMSB, USDA - Link
- Don't Want to See This Damage in Our Grocery Stores! Photos from USDA - Link
- Video about What to Do with BMSB in Your Yard and Inside Your Home, Univ. Maryland Extension - Link
- Article about BMSB, Clearwater Patch 5/9/16 - Link
- More Invasive Exotic Animal Resources:
- See "Global Invasive Species Database"
- See "International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)"
- See "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
- See "University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation"
Invasive Exotic Species - Plants
- Air Potato Beetle Biocontrol - Link to YouTube Video
- Australian Pine
- "The Turtle and the Tree" - Keywaydin Island (southwest Florida) story about how nesting loggerhead sea turtle habitat was restored after removal of the invasive exotic Australian Pine. Great for youths! Video Link
- Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) - Link
- EDDMapS IveGot1 - online tool providing distribution maps and species information, and a portal for online reporting of non-native plants and animals. Invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops and threaten our health. Invasions of exotic species cost Floridians over $500 million each year. The economic costs are small compared to the ecological ones. Hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1; Link
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) - Link
- Global Invasive Species Database - Link
- Invasive Exotics Tracking by Citizens, Audubon Florida - Fact Sheet Link
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - Link
- IveGot1 Smartphone App - mobile app for easy reporting non-native species via EDDMapS; Link
- "Plant Identification Tips: Upland and Wetland Invasive Exotics," FDEP - Link
- USDA - Florida Invasive Plant List - Link
- More Invasive Exotic Plant Resources:
- See "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
- See "University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation"
Invertebrates that are Non-Insects (for insects, see 'Insects')
- Snails, Slugs and Worms, University of Florida - Link to slideshow
J ________________________________________________________________
K ________________________________________________________________
L ________________________________________________________________
Landscaping in Florida
Educational Moment: the term 'Florida-friendly' does not mean native. According to the Adopting a Florida-friendly Landscape publication by UF/IFAS, "a Florida-Friendly yard is an environmentally sound yard that conserves and protects Florida’s waterways, soil, wildlife, and energy." Unfortunately, the term Florida-friendly is often misused by some garden departments, stores, and landscapers to sell you invasive exotic plants like Lantana camera, Mexican petunia, oyster plant, and many others. Wretched! Invasive exotics are devastating to our natural areas, including our waterways, soils and wildlife, which rely on our native plants' survival. Not very friendly, we'd say! So, buyer beware. Non-native plants can be okay here and there, although they usually aren't as beneficial to our wildlife or environment as our native plants are.
Instead of non-native plants, consider supporting one of your local nurseries that carry native plants and purchase your plants there. Wherever you go, just make sure the plants you are choosing as Florida-friendly are actually friendly to Florida, and not just friendly to someone else's pocketbook.
- Adopting a Florida-friendly Landscape: Steps for Converting a Traditional Development Landscape to a Florida-Friendly Landscape - Link to pdf
- Beat the Summer Heat with These Native Plants - Link
- Butterfly Gardening in Florida, UF/IFAS - Link to pdf
- Fabulous Florida Fading, UF/IFAS Extension, Largo - Link to blog
- Florida-Friendly Plants for Stormwater Pond Shorelines - Link to pdf
- Landscape Design: Drawing a Planting Plan, UF/IFAS - Link to pdf
- Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: Top Ten Tips for Success, University of Florida - Link
- Landscaping in Florida Shade, UF/ IFAS - Link to pdf
- "Providing Wildlife Cover," UF / IFAS - Link
- See "Invasive Exotic Species - Plants"
- See "Plants"
League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) - Link
Living with Wildlife
- Coexisting with Tampa Bay Inhabitants, Tampa Bay Estuary Program - Link
- Keep Pets and Livestock from Becoming Prey to Wildlife - Link
- Protecting Your Property (& Pets) from Wildlife Damage - Link
- Take Steps to Protect Small Livestock from Panther, FWC - Link
- Safe Roads for People and Panther - Link
Lizards
- Lizards of Florida (native and nonnative) - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
M ________________________________________________________________
Making a Positive Difference
- 2015 Awesome Year Challenge by Kid President - Video Link
- A Pep Talk from Kid President - Video Link
- Florida Friendly Landscaping - Link
- Help Wildlife by Sharing the Beach (humorous approach) - Video Link
- Sustainable Floridians Program - Link
- See "Citizen Science Opportunities"
- See "Climate Change"
Mammals
- Black Bear Hunting in Florida:
Commissioners in Seminole County — an area that state wildlife biologists have called the epicenter of Florida for bear and human encounters — plan to send a clear message to state officials: We do not want another bear hunt in Florida this year." - 5/21/16, Link
- Coyote
- Rapid adaptive evolution of northeastern coyotes via hybridization with wolves, The Royal Society Publishing - Link
- Florida Manatee
- Florida Panther
- Florida Panther Genetics - Link
- FWC documents panther kittens north of Caloosahatchee River, March 2017 - Link
- Photos from trail camera of mother and kittens - Link
- Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Panthers, UF/IFAS - Link
- PantherNet: Natural History - Link
- Protecting Your Property (& Pets) from Wildlife Damage - Link
- Puma in U.S. & Canada - Historic and Current Range - Link
- Safe Roads for People and Panther - Link
- Also see "Tracks, Scats & Signs"
- Red Wolf
- Life History, Defenders of Wildlife - Link
- Life History, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- Map of Historic Range, International Wolf Center - Link
- Timeline, International Wolf Center - Link
- Squirrels
- Eastern Gray Squirrels & Fox Squirrels, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Link
- Fox Squirrel, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission - Link
- A Species Action Plan for the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger avicennia - Link
- Wolves of the World, International Wolf Center - Link
- Classification of Wolves and other Canids - Link
- How Do States Estimate Their Wolf Populations? Link
Mangrove Forests
- Trophic Strategy, EOL & Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce - Link
Marine Species
- WoRMS - World Registry of Marine Species - Link
- Photogallery - Link
- Taxon Tree - Link
Mining
- "Phosphate giant Mosaic agrees to pay nearly $2 billion over mishandling of hazardous waste" - Link
Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater - Link
Mote Marine Laboratory - Link
N ________________________________________________________________
National Association for Interpretation (NAI) - Link
National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) - Link
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Link
- Climate Change - Link
- Research needed to resolve connections between Arctic warming and severe weather (5-2015) - Link
- National Weather Service - Link
- Weather Forecast Maps - Link
National Wildlife Health Center - See "United States Geological Survey"
National Wildlife Refuge System - Link
- Friends of Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges - Link
O ________________________________________________________________
OCEARCH
Global Shark Tagging (fantastic monitoring info!) - Link
Ocean Conservancy - Link
Oil Spill Impacts - Link
- NOAA Study Ties Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to Spike in Gulf Dolphin Deaths (5-20-15) - Link
P ________________________________________________________________
Panther - See "Mammals"
Pesticides
- Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Neonicotinoid Pesticides, UF IFAS - Link to pdf
Pets
- Keep Pets and Livestock from Becoming Prey to Wildlife - Link
- Protecting Your Property (& Pets) from Wildlife Damage - Link
Plants
- Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants - Link
- Poison Ivy Research - "Biomass and toxicity responses of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) to elevated atmospheric CO2" - Link to pdf
- See "Invasive Exotic Species - Plants"
- See "Landscaping in Florida"
Pollution
- "Phosphate giant Mosaic agrees to pay nearly $2 billion over mishandling of hazardous waste" - Link
S ________________________________________________________________
Salamaders
- Salamanders of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
Sea Turtles
- General Information about Sea Turtles, Sea Turtle Conservancy - Link
- Lighting: Beachfront Lighting Policy, Sea Turtle Conservancy - Link
- Lighting: Sea Turtle Lighting Ordinances, FWC - Link
- Nesting - Sea Turtle Crawl Identification, FWC - Link
- Sea Turtle Fact Sheets, Sea Turtle Conservancy - Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Sea Turtle Identification Key, Sea Turtle Conservancy - Link
- Tour de Turtles: Follow turtles with satellite transmitters, Sea Turtle Conservancy - Link
Sharks - see "Fishes"
Shell Key Shuttle - Link
Slugs
Florida Terrestrial Slugs - Link
Snakes
Do not catch or handle any snake unless you are sure it is not venomous. Do know that nonvenomous snakes are not 'harmless.' They can and often do bite; they just are not venomous.
- Atlas of Florida Reptiles and Amphibians, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Color Patterns & Scales Structure, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Difference between Venomous and Poisonous - Link1, Link2
- Examples: No North American snakes are poisonous, although, some are venomous. No North American frogs or toads are venomous, although, some are poisonous.
- Florida's Nonvenomous Snakes, FWC - Link
- Identification Key for Florida Snakes, Florida Musuem of Natural History - Link
- Information about Florida Snakes, FWC - Link
- List & Photos of Florida Snakes, Florida Natural History Museum - Link
- Online Guide to Florida's Snakes, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Removing Snakes from Buildings, UF/IFAS Extension - Link
- Report Rare Snake Sightings - Help Report Upland Snakes, FWC - Link
Pine Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link1, Link2
Short-tailed Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link1, Link2
Southern Hognose Snake - Photos and Report Your Sightings, FWC - Link
- Venomous Snakes in Florida - 6 species
Identification Key for Florida Snakes, Florida Musuem of Natural History - Link
Online Guide to Venomous Snakes, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
Species of Venomous Snakes in Florida
- Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscivorus, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Eastern Coral Snake, Micrurus fulvius, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Florida Natural History Museum - Link1, Link2
- Southern Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
Snails
- "An Identification Manual for the Freshwater Snails of Florida," UF Florida Natural History Museum - Link
- See 'Invertebrates'
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) - Link
Spiders
- BugGuide - Identification, Images, & Information for Insects, Spiders & Their Kin in U.S. & Canada - Link
- Common Florida Spiders, UF/IFAS - Link to pdf
- Southern Black Widow, Latrodectus mactans, UF/IAFS - Link to pdf
Stink Bug Invasion - Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
New Invasive Exotic from Asia; Brown marmorated stink bug has been detected in 42 states and two Canadian provinces, posing severe agricultural problems in nine states and nuisance problems in seventeen others.
- How to ID - Think You Found One? USDA - Link
- US Map Where Detected, USDA - Link
- Host Plants of the BMSB, USDA - Link
- Don't Want to See This Damage in Our Grocery Stores! Photos from USDA - Link
- Video about What to Do with BMSB in Your Yard and Inside Your Home, Univ. Maryland Extension - Link
- Article about BMSB, Clearwater Patch 5/9/16 - Link
St. Petersburg Audubon Society - Link
Strange, but True
- Blowing Up a Whale - 1970s film footage from Florence, Oregon - Link
- Decaying Whale Gases Released on Netherlands Beach - video (graphic but fascinating) - Link
- Know Your Venomous and Poisonous Animals? Think Again! What’s the Difference Between Poisonous and Venomous Animals? Smithsonian - Link
T ________________________________________________________________
Tampa Bay Estuary Program - Link
Tampa Bay Planning Council - Link
Taxonomy
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) - Authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. Link
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) - Authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including information on synonymy. Link
Tracks, Scats & Signs of Wildlife
- EZ Guide to Identify Panther Tracks - Link
- PantherNet: Panther Signs - Tracks, Scats, Kills & Drag Marks, Scrapes, Scratches - Link
Tortoises & Turtles
- Turtles of Florida - Photo Gallery and List, Florida Museum of Natural History - Link
- 5 Fun Facts about Gopher Tortoises, Defenders of Wildlife - Link
- FWC's Wildlife Management Plan for Gopher Tortoises - Link
- Gopher Tortoise, FWC - Link
- Gopher Tortoise, USFWS - Link
- Painting Wildlife is Illegal, FWC, Summer 2016 - Link
- Research Publications on Gopher Tortoises - Link
- Volunteer Opportunities Helping Gopher Tortoises - Link
U ________________________________________________________________
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Link
- National Invasive Species Information Center - Link
United States Fish and Wildlife Service - Link
- Careers in Conservation - Link
- Climate Change - conservation in a changing climate - Link
- Endangered Species - Link
- Images, Videos, Documents, Audio and Maps - Link
- Migratory Bird Program - Link
United States Geological Survey (USGS) - Link
Science for a changing world.
- Cane Toad Fact Sheet (Rhinella marina), invasive exotic - Link
- Cuban Treefrog Fact Sheet (Osteopilus septentrionalis), invasive exotic - Link
- Education Resources - Link
- Biology, Geography, Geology, Water and much more...K-undergraduate
- Greenhouse Frog Fact Sheet (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), invasive exotic - Link
- National Wildlife Health Center - Invasive Pathogens & Emerging Diseases of U.S. Wildlife - Link
- Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy - AVM is mostly a waterbird disease - eagles, coots, ducks, etc. - Link
- Coral Diseases - Link
- Lead Poisoning in Wildlife - Link
- Ranavirus - Associated die-offs in 25 states affecting 20 species of amphibians and reptiles - Link
- Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) - Found in wild snakes; Florida + 8 other states - Link
- West Nile Virus - Link
- White Nose Syndrome - Fungal bat disease eradicating many of our North American colonies - Link
- Wildlife Mortality Events, New and Ongoing in U.S. - Link
- Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) - exotic water species - Link
- NWHC Career Experiences and Commitment to Wildlife, Video - Link
University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation - Link
Science-based information about snakes and other reptiles, frogs, toads, being a good pet owner, becoming a citizen scientist and more.
- Introduced Reptile Early Detection and Documentation (REDDy) - Link
- Invasive Exotic Cuban Treefrog & Its Humane Removal - Link
- Florida Frogs and Toads - range, identification, calls, photos, native or non-native, etc. - Link
- Florida Snakes - living with snakes, range, ID, photos, native or non-native - Link
University of Florida Electronic Data Information System (EDIS) - Link
Current UF/IFAS peer-reviewed publications. Fantastic resource. A consistent "go to" for Sensing Nature.
- Biocontrol: Air Potato Leaf Beetle - Link
University of Florida / IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) - Link
- Florida Master Naturalist Program Webstore, operated by Sensing Nature for FMNP - Link
University of Florida / IFAS Pinellas County Extension - Link
Commercial Horticulture, Family & Consumers, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Lawn & Garden / Master Gardener Program, Marine & Coastal, Natural Resources, Sustainable Living & Sustainable Floridians Program, 4-H, Urban Agriculture
- Climate Change & Sea Level Rise, UF / IFAS - Link
V ________________________________________________________________
Visit Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - Link
Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater - Pinellas County Convention & Visitors Bureau - Link
W ________________________________________________________________
Weather
- See "National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)"
- Weather on the 9's, Bay News 9 - Link
- Weather Safety: Lightning, NOAA / FEMA / American Red Cross - Link
- Wunderground - Link
- Research needed to resolve connections between Arctic warming and severe weather, NOAA (5-2015) - Link
- National Weather Service, NOAA - Link
- Weather Forecast Maps, NOAA - Link
Weedon Island Preserve - Link
- Friends of Weedon Island - Link
- Upcoming Public Programs at Weedon Island Preserve - Link
Wildlife &/or Zoonotic Diseases
- "Surveillance for Emerging Biodiversity Diseases of Wildlife" - Peer-reviewed Journal Article Link
- Toxoplasmosis - Important Message for Cat Owners, CDC - Link, Pdf
- "A Viral Threat" - Link
- Zika Virus - see 'Zika Virus'
- "Zoonotic Viruses Associated with Illegally Imported Wildlife Products" - Link
The Wildlife Society - Link
Founded in 1937, the organization’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation.” The Wildlife Society enhances our members’ networking and learning opportunities, professional and career development, and provides numerous ways for them to get more involved in creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) - Link
WHOI maintains unparalleled depth and breadth of expertise across a range of oceanographic research areas. Institution scientists and engineers work collaboratively within and across six research departments to advance knowledge of the global ocean and its fundamental importance to other planetary systems. At the same time, they also train future generations of ocean scientists and address problems that have a direct impact in efforts to understand and manage critical marine resources.
- Hidden Currents in the Gulf of Mexico - unknown pathways revealed (video, 5:41) - Link
- 2013 Ocean Institutes Annual Report - Link
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) - Link
Provides an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including information on synonymy. While highest priority goes to valid names, other names in use are included so that this register can serve as a guide to interpret taxonomic literature.
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Zika Virus - mosquito transmitted disease
Resource Links for Our UF / IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program Courses
FMNP Conservation Science Resources
for Sensing Nature's Courses
for Sensing Nature's Courses
- Biological Diversity: To increase understanding of the role that biodiversity plays in conservation science.
- Ecosystem Integrity: To increase understanding of the factors that sustain or threaten ecosystem integrity
- Conservation Strategies for
Sustainable Ecosystems: To increase understanding of strategies and approaches used to conserve biodiversity and
maintain ecosystem integrity.
All Conservation Science Topics
Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs), FWC - Link
Mammalian Biology, Journal Articles - Link
Assorted Peer-reviewed Articles - Link
Mammalian Biology, Journal Articles - Link
Assorted Peer-reviewed Articles - Link
Biological Diversity:
South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) - Link
Peer-reviewed Articles:
Peer-reviewed Articles:
- "Prioritizing Species by Conservation Value and Vulnerability: A New Index Applied to Species Threatened by Sea-Level Rise and Other Risks in Florida," Natural Areas Association - Natural Areas Journal, 34(1):31-45. 2014 - Link
- "Ecological and evolutionary consequences of living in a defaunated world." Biological Conservation, Volume 163, July 2013, Pages 1–6. Abstract Link
- "Are existing biodiversity conservation strategies appropriate in a changing climate?." Biological Conservation, Volume 193, January 2016, Pages 17–26. Abstract Link
- "Title." Biological Conservation, Volume XXX, Month Year, Pages #–#. Link
- "Sea level rise, drought and the decline of Spartina patens in New England marshes." Biological Conservation, Volume 196, April 2016, Pages 173-181. Link
Ecosystem Integrity:
- "A meta-analysis of tropical forest edge effects on bird nest predation risk: Edge effects in avian nest predation."
Biological Conservation, Volume 159, March 2013, Pages 382–395. Link - "Effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas in reducing habitat loss and population declines." Biological Conservation, Volume 161, May 2013, Pages 230–238. Link
Conservation Strategies for Sustainable Ecosystems:
- "Realising the full potential of citizen science monitoring programs." Biological Conservation, Volume 165, September 2013, Pages 128–138. Link
FMNP Habitat Evaluation Resources
for Sensing Nature's Courses
for Sensing Nature's Courses
- Large-Scale Habitat Assessment: To increase understanding of why habitat evaluation is conducted and the methods used to assess habitat quality at large scales.
- Local-Scale Habitat Assessment: To increase understanding of why habitat evaluation is conducted and the methods used to assess habitat quality at the local scale.
- Water Quality Monitoring: To increase understanding of why habitat evaluation is conducted and the methods used to evaluate water quality.
All Habitat Evaluation Topics
Assorted Peer-reviewed Articles - Link
PLOS ONE - Link
Nonprofit publisher and advocate of Open Access research; peer-reviewed articles
PLOS ONE - Link
Nonprofit publisher and advocate of Open Access research; peer-reviewed articles
- "Presence of Breeding Birds Improves Body Condition for a Crocodilian Nest Protector" - LINK
Large-Scale
- "Geographic boundaries of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea" - Link
- "A Few Large Roads or Many Small Ones? How to Accommodate Growth in Vehicle Numbers to Minimise Impacts on Wildlife" - Link
- "Habitat Selection of a Large Carnivore along Human-Wildlife Boundaries in a Highly Modified Landscape" - Link
- "Hurricane Activity and the Large-Scale Pattern of Spread of an Invasive Plant Species" - Link
- "River Food Web Response to Large-Scale Riparian Zone Manipulations" - Link
Local-Scale
| Mapping Oysters Sarasota Bay.pdf |
Water Quality Monitoring
- Pinellas County Water Atlas - Link
- Manatee County Water Atlas - Link
- Tampa Bay Water Atlas - Link
- Charlotte Harbor Water Atlas - Link
FMNP Wildlife Monitoring Resources
for Sensing Nature's Courses
Surveying or monitoring projects about mammals, avian species, and herptiles.
for Sensing Nature's Courses
Surveying or monitoring projects about mammals, avian species, and herptiles.
All Topics
Assorted Peer-reviewed Articles - Link
PLOS ONE - Link
Nonprofit publisher and advocate of Open Access research; peer-reviewed articles
PLOS ONE - Link
Nonprofit publisher and advocate of Open Access research; peer-reviewed articles
- "Presence of Breeding Birds Improves Body Condition for a Crocodilian Nest Protector" - Link
- "Landscapes for Energy and Wildlife: Conservation Prioritization for Golden Eagles across Large Spatial Scales" - Link
- "Modeling Fence Location and Density at a Regional Scale for Use in Wildlife Management" - Link
South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) - all species; Link
Peer-reviewed Articles:
Peer-reviewed Articles:
- "Prioritizing Species by Conservation Value and Vulnerability: A New Index Applied to Species Threatened by Sea-Level Rise and Other Risks in Florida," Natural Areas Association - Natural Areas Journal, 34(1):31-45. 2014 - Link
Avian Monitoring/Surveying
Bird Banding Laboratory - Link
Peer-reviewed Articles:
| breeding_birds_improves_body_condition_for_crocodilian_protector_plos_one_journal.pone.0149572.pdf |
Herptile Monitoring/Surveying
- The Herpetologists’ League - Link
- Also See "Sea Turtles"
Mammalian Monitoring/Surveying
Encyclopedia of Pugent Sound, University of Washington - Link
- "A Viral Threat" - Link
- "Human Well-being and Ecosystem-based Management" - Link
- "Scale Dependent Behavioral Responses to Human Development by a Large Predator, the Puma" - Link
- "Global Positioning System Data-Loggers: A Tool to Quantify Fine-Scale Movement of Domestic Animals to Evaluate Potential for Zoonotic Transmission to an Endangered Wildlife Population" - Link
| solutions_to_tackle_marine_debris_impacts_on_wildlife_2015_hardesty_et_al_ocma.pdf |
- "How Do States Estimate Their Wolf Populations?" International Wolf Center, 2016. Link
