Category Archives: water quality

Summer Rain in the Florida Panhandle

Posted on July 29, 2017 by John

ARTICLE BY DR. MATT DEITCH; water quality specialist – University of Florida Milton Summer is a great time for weather-watching in the Florida panhandle. Powerful thunderstorms appear out of nowhere, and can pour inches of rain in an area in … Continue reading →

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Maintain Your Septic System to Save Money and Reduce Water Pollution

Posted on April 29, 2017 by John

One third of homes in Florida rely on septic systems, or onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), to treat and dispose of household wastewater, which includes wastewater from bathrooms, kitchen sinks and laundry machines. When properly maintained, septic systems … Continue reading →

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Sea Grant Publications on the Impacts of the BP Oil Spill

Posted on April 14, 2017 by John

  We are pleased to announce the release of a pair of new bulletins outlining how the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacted the popular marine animals dolphins and sea turtles. To read these and other oil spill science publications, … Continue reading →

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Slow the flow: Why should we care about stormwater runoff?

Posted on March 11, 2017 by John

Stormwater runoff is water from rainfall that flows along the land surface. This runoff usually finds its way into the nearest ditch or water body, such as a river, stream, lake or pond. Generally speaking, in natural undeveloped areas only … Continue reading →

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What Cause the Toxic Algal Bloom in South Florida and Could It Happen Here?

Posted on July 31, 2016 by John

Most of us have heard about the toxic algal blooms plaguing south Florida waters. If not, check out http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/05/.  This bloom has caused several major fish kills, bad odors, and has kept tourist away from the area.  What happen? and … Continue reading →

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Bacteria at the Beach

Posted on July 2, 2016 by John

The threat of bacteria in coastal waters can be scary and a challenge to understand. Here is information that helps clarify the threat to beach visitors and recreational users of marine waters. This is a good opportunity to think about … Continue reading →

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Oil Spill Science: Five years later, what have we learned?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by John

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill occurred about 50 miles offshore of Louisiana in April 2010. Approximately 172 million gallons of oil entered the Gulf of Mexico. Five years after the incident, locals and tourists still have questions. This article … Continue reading →

Posted in Barrier Islands, Environmental Education, Estuaries, Fisheries, Florida Master Naturalist, Oil Spill, Sea Life, Seafood, water quality, Waterfronts | Leave a comment

NISAW 2016 – Working together to remove Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) from Northwest Florida

Posted on February 26, 2016 by John

    Matthew Phillips and Scott Jackson – UF/IFAS Extension and Research works with many partners supporting invasive species management actions and strategies across Florida. One key partner is the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conserva­tion Commission (FWC), Invasive Plant Management … Continue reading →

Posted in fishing, Florida Panhandle, Invasive Species, Invasives, Land Management, Lend a Hand, Pond Management, water quality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Will the Red Tide End?

Posted on December 21, 2015 by John

This is a question I have been asked several times in the last week. As most of you know the red tide that has been occurring off the panhandle the last few months is still around. Dead fish were reported … Continue reading →

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It’s Happening … Red Tide

Posted on October 31, 2015 by John

 Many coastal Panhandlers woke up this week to the sight and smell of dead fish. Thousands of them washed ashore from Panama City to Pensacola. This mass die off included a variety of species including whiting, sheepshead, hake, cusk eels, … Continue reading →

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