2023 Programs

Working waterfronts, working for you: The role of shellfish aquaculture in water quality restoration

This presentation by Dr. Ashley Smyth of the UF/IFAS Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Science Department covers how shellfish can help in the battle for better water quality in Florida.

Ponds and people: What stormwater ponds do for us on the landscape and how we can help

This presentation by Dr. Reisinger of the UF/IFAS Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Science Department about stormwater pond management and impacts on downstream aquatic ecosystems and coastal water quality.

The Impact of Trap Confinement on the Physical Condition of Florida Stone Crab Menippe mercenaria

Learn more about the stone crabs, including Florida's fishery and the biology of these iconic crustaceans in this webinar presented by UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County and Florida Sea Grant Agent Kate Rose. 

Influence of Suwannee River and springs flow on thermal refuge for range-expanded Common Snook

Explore the networks of thermal refuge used by Common Snook near the northern extremes of their range in this webinar from UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station Research Biologist Ashley McDonald.

Think small: Seagrass species identity is a small scale driver of meadow carbon storage & emissions

PhD Candidate Alex Bijak explains how species diversity in Florida's seagrass meadows influences both carbon storage and emissions. 

Seagrass species richness improves resilience to tropicalization

There are 5 species of seagrass in the Nature Coast, and that diversity might help our seagrasses withstand climate change. Dr. Jamila Roth tells us how in this webinar.

Seagrass vs. Macroalgae: How do animal communities differ across habitats?

Both seagrasses and macroalgae are green and photosynthesize. Adam presents his research on how they are different and how plant cover type can impact what animals live there.  

Impacts of seagrass propeller scars - from sediment texture to fish behavior

There are a lot of propeller scars in the Nature Coast! Find out how they impact the ecology of the system. Theresa Gruninger covers the effects propeller scars have on sediment nutrients, invertebrate communities, and fish behavior in this webinar. 

Insights on disturbance of Florida green sea turtles by boating activity in the Crystal Bay area

If you've been boating off Crystal River before, chances are you have seen a green sea turtle from the boat. Join us for this talk by Trent about his research on turtle response to boating activity.