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National bison is always celebrated on the first Saturday in November. This national day celebrates and recognizes the importance of the American Bison. Now we may not have any here in Florida, but American Bison have played a fundamental role in the expansion and growth of the indigenous people’s populations here in the US- specifically in the Midwest. The indigenous relied on the bison populations (among other things) for food and resources. They would eat the meat the bison provided and utilize the fur for coats and shelters. Today their role is just as important for the ecosystem of the Great Plains here in the US. The bison help maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem by providing food and shelter to many organisms. The American Bison is considered a keystone species in the Great Plains based on the way they walk and move through their environment. The bison will move through their environment and help aerate the soil around them. This allows the growth of different species of plants within the environment. Their fur also provides a way to help distribute the seeds of native plants in the area. The seeds get caught on their fur coats and will get distributed as the bison roams around the environment. These are two of the many services that these animals provide for the grassland ecosystems they live in. The plants that grow and flourish because of them also provide food and shelter for other animals in the ecosystem.  

While there are no bison here in southern Florida, the impact they have on their environment is important to recognize. Many different species here in Florida are also considered keystone species and are being threatened. Species like the gopher tortoise and American alligator here in the Everglades are examples of more local keystone species. Both of these species impact the environment around them in very specific ways that impacts the entire ecosystem. Below is an article that shows how important these native keystone species are to areas and why we need to protect them.  

Native keystone trees, flowers and shrubs keep keep food web healthy (floridatoday.com) 

National Bat Week works to celebrate and recognize these wonderful animals. There are more than 1,300 species of bats around the world which makes them the second-most common mammal species after rodents with a huge diversity among them. These animals play vital roles in the ecosystem scientists have discovered and need to be protected. Insect-eating bats are reported to eat millions of insects a night and act as a natural insect control for both humans. Nectar-drinking and fruit-eating bats help various types of plants and fruit species. By visiting the plants for food, they help to pollinate which in turn leads to increased production of fruit. This largely impacts the food chain for both humans and animals and can affect the overall health of ecosystems around the world. Pollinators in general are key to food supplies around the world. 

Bat species in general are primarily threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation that is happening around the world. Bats live in and around forests and rely upon trees as shelter and protection in addition to providing food. The insects and fruit that bats need to survive also rely heavily on these ecosystems and without them, the bats lose their food source. These areas are being affected by deforestation because of urban development and agriculture. This is a common story with a lot of different species that rely on forests and trees for food, shelter, and protection. There are ways to help out these bat species that you can do in your backyard. Simple things like keeping up dead trees (when it is safe), placing bat houses in your backyard (houses for bats to rest in), and reducing the use of pesticides can help protect and encourage bat populations.  

Below are more resources available to help educate about bats and their role  

Why are bats important? | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov) 

Why bats are the real superheroes of the animal world (nationalgeographic.com) 

Hibernate or Migrate – Bats (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

13 Awesome Facts About Bats | U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov) 

The Florida heat and humidity paired with a diversity of habitats provide the perfect environment for reptiles. Here in Florida, there is a large diversity of reptile species that are seen throughout the state. These include the iguanas you see roaming around your neighborhood, the sea turtles that make their nests on the beaches, the snakes that slither across the road, and the alligators that live in the Everglades. The native reptile species you see around (which does not include iguanas) play important roles in the ecosystem that are important for the survival of these areas. While the list above are well-known reptiles, there are many others that are not as easily recognized or talked about. Below is information about some of the lesser-known or protected reptile species that are native in Florida. 

Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus 

The gopher tortoise is a threatened species here in Florida mainly due to habitat loss. Suburban development has fragmented and paved over the land that these animals use to make their burrows which results in less areas for the tortoises to live and reproduce. The gopher tortoise is a keystone species due to the important role it plays in its environment.  The burrows that are created by gopher tortoises house not only themselves, but other animals as well. Over 350 species rely on these burrows which include species of snakes, owls, rodents and mammals. As the gopher tortoises’ populations decrease, so do many of the animals that rely on them for survival. 

Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon couperi 

The eastern indigo snake is another threatened species here in Florida. This is also due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation (the breaking up of habitat) resulting from suburban sprawl. Adult eastern indigo snakes can travel for a span of three miles during warmer seasons to hunt. Therefore large, intact landscapes are essential for their survival. Developments like roads cause issues for these snakes due to their need to travel and hunt. More people mean more cars and vehicle collisions have become a major concern for them now. Here in Florida these snakes tend to inhabit pine flatwoods, hardwood forests, moist hammocks, and areas that surround cypress swamps and can be found throughout Florida and Georgia.  

Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis 

The Green anole is the only native anole species here in Florida. Although we see many other anole species throughout out Florida, they have all been introduced into the environment in different ways. These anoles can be found living in suburban areas with little trouble, but their preferred habitats are large, open areas to help them hunt. The green anole has a wide distribution area and is not considered threatened, but the competition with non-native species may limit resources for our native species. 

We have 5 native owl species that roam around our surrounding natural areas here in Florida. The burrowing owl, barred owl, barn owl, eastern screech owl, and great horned owl are all native to Florida. While most owl species are more active at night, several are common in urban areas so you may spot them around your neighborhood or even in your backyard. Florida’s only diurnal (active during the day) species is the burrowing owl which is often seen in open areas such as sports fields.

Owls are beneficial to our ecosystem and provide many necessary services. The main service they provide is population control, especially rodent species. By helping to control rodent populations, owls help prevent the spread of disease in addition to minimizing the damage they can cause. These rodent species have been known to damage crops, homes, and even land with an overgrowth of their populations. While owls play a vital role in the ecosystem, many owl species are decreasing in population due to a loss of habitat associated with an increase of development activities such as logging, agriculture, and urban sprawl. Owls rely on forested areas to live and hunt so by removing these areas they have fewer options for nesting and their food supply is reduced. You can help declining populations by introducing nesting boxes into their habitats, help protect natural areas where these animals naturally live, remove soccer nets when not in use to prevent entanglement, adopt a poison free stance on pest control and keep your cat indoors or closely monitored when outside.

 Energy impacts our lives every single day. We use it to power electronics, homes, businesses, and even cars. The goal of Energy Efficiency Day is to highlight how to produce and use energy in the most sustainable way and to reduce its negative impacts on our world. This includes energy production and energy waste. While we rely on energy every day, studies have shown that energy production and usage have had a negative impact on the world around us. Energy generation and waste has impacted our air and water quality through the release of particles, pollutants, runoff and contamination. These pollutants and emissions contribute to environmental decline and global warming. By working to reduce energy usage and being more energy efficient we can help reduce the effects that energy production and waste have on the environment and save money too!

Below are ways to be energy smart:

• Wash your clothes in cold water instead of warm water
  • This helps reduce your energy bill, prevents clothes bleeding into each other, and helps clothing last longer
• Change your lightbulbs to LEDs or more energy efficient lighting
  • More efficient lighting uses less energy to generate the same amount of light and saves you money
• Turn off lights and unplug chargers when they are not in use
• Use a smart thermostat
  • This helps to optimize energy efficiency in your home

Happy World Vegetarian Day! October 1st kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month while also serving as World Vegetarian Day. This day and month are not meant to single out vegetarians, instead, it celebrates and educates others about this popular way of eating. Meat consumption worldwide has increased significantly in recent decades, with per capita consumption almost doubling since the early 1960s, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. While this may not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, meat consumption and demand worldwide has had a massive impact on environmental and human health. By reducing the amount of meat that humans consume, we can help reduce the impact this industry has on the environment. This does not have to mean completely giving up consumption of meat products. Being meatless even for a meal can have positive impacts on the world around us and our own health.

The meat industry alone contributes greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere through the production and raising of different meat products. Cows emit gases such as CO2, nitrous oxide, and methane into the atmosphere which are three gases that have been linked to global warming. In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, the meat industry overall uses energy to raise and produce the amount of meat needed to feed humans worldwide. Freshwater ecosystems are also impacted by the animal-based food industry. Not only are organisms (such as trout, clams, and crayfish) removed from the ecosystem for food, but their harvesting can increase water pollution in these areas. There are other benefits to eating a vegetarian diet besides helping the environment. Vegetarians tend to eat less fat and focus on foods that are rich in other nutrients such as fiber and vitamins. Decreasing meat consumption helps us focus on balance within our diets.

Below are some easy ways to incorporate meatless options into your everyday meals:

Instead of using meat for your tacos, try using refried beans

In your salads, try using nuts or seeds instead of shrimp or chicken

Use tofu as a substitute for meat in dishes like stir fry or dumplings

When making soups or chilis, chickpeas or lentils make a good substitute for meat

Try making a curry with sweet potatoes and/or chickpeas

Instead of deli meat, try using hummus or tofu for your sandwiches

Use meat alternatives instead of beef in lasagna and sauces

Here are some fun and easy vegetarian recipes:

Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas {Easy Vegetarian} – WellPlated.com

Easy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers | Healthy Fitness Meals

Quick & Easy Vegetarian Curry {15 minutes} – Family Food on the Table

Zero Emissions Day focuses on ways we can better improve our relationship with the planet by trying to reduce what we put back into the planet. This day focuses specifically on greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change. While it takes effort to be carbon neutral (removing the same amount of carbon that is placed into the atmosphere), there are ways to be more cautious of the emissions we individually contribute.  By encouraging and giving people ways to limit their emissions, helpful habits are forged that benefit the planet and all those inhabiting it and ensure the continuation of our planet for future generations.

Below is a list of different ways that we reduce our personal greenhouse emissions:

• Carpool/Alternative Transportation
  • Now, it might not be easy to switch up the way you move throughout the day, but look around and see how you might be able to reduce your reliance on greenhouse gas-producing transportation options. If you have a roommate, instead of doing your errands separately, try doing them together. If you have a kid, try carpooling with other parents or taking the bus. Look around for other modes of transportation, instead of driving yourself to the store down the street, try biking or walking.
• Food Systems/Choices
  • Another way to help is looking at the way we buy and consume food. While picking up groceries at your local Target, Wal-Mart, or Publix, try limiting the packaging on the products you buy. Buying in bulk or opting for fresh veggies instead of packaged options helps reduce the amount of trash that is created and is sometimes even more cost-effective. Check out farmers’ markets in your area or other local stores to support local businesses and the local economy. This also helps reduce the number of emissions that are produced in transporting goods to and from the big box stores.
  • Another way to help include limiting the meat products you consume. The production of meat products around the world contributes to a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than eliminating meat from your diet altogether, try a meal or two during the week without it- like a meatless Monday.
• Secondhand Shopping
  • Instead of spending a lot of money on new clothes, try going to secondhand stores and build that wardrobe for less. This helps reduce waste that is generated by the fashion industry through transportation and fast fashion (the idea that clothing needs to be changed constantly). Over the years, fast fashion has led to cheaper clothes and more clothes being thrown away due to poor quality.
• Reuse
  • Look around at the things you use in your life and see if there are ways to reuse them. Instead of immediately throwing away containers that items come in, try finding ways to reuse them. Glass jars make excellent containers to store pantry items like grains, beans, spices, and even leftovers.  Gently used clothing and toys can often be enjoyed by other children if donated.

 September 16^th celebrates the coming together of individuals within different communities to help clean and take care of our shared resources along the coasts here in the US. Coastal clean-up day focuses on the importance of preserving the coastal habitats for the organisms that inhabit and enjoy it. Pollution is a big issue and is a major contributor to the decline in the overall health of oceans and coastal habitats. Plastic and other trash not only causes the beaches to look unappealing to beachgoers, but these items are also a direct hazard to the animals that live in the water and frequent the beach. Items such as rope, plastic bottles, and tires are extremely harmful to the ocean habitat. Rope has been known to get wrapped around animals while they are swimming and can damage their limbs. Plastic bottles and other plastic items cannot be easily broken down, so these items end up either floating around or sinking into the ocean. When they do break down, plastics start spreading into the ocean and impacting the chemistry of the water which severely impacts the habitat and organisms living within the ocean. The plastics that don’t break down can become food for organisms or can injure ocean organisms. To help prevent these impacts, it’s important to remember that anything that is brought to the beach should be taken with you or disposed of properly. 

By participating in your community’s Coastal clean-up day, you are preventing the spread of pollution into the ocean, protecting ocean organisms, and preserving the integrity and beauty of the beach and coastal ecosystems for future generations. To find more about local events occurring in your area, check out the link below.  

Trash Free Seas: Find a Cleanup with Ocean Conservancy’s Interactive Map 

Ways YOU can reduce plastics in the oceans.  

• Single-use plastics  

• Single-use plastics are plastic items that are only used once and then discarded. Such items include water bottles, plastic utensils, cleaning sprays, plastic bags, and more. Easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption include utilizing reusable water bottles and reusable bags in your daily life. Looking for alternatives is not always easy but look for ways to either replace one-use items (razors where you replace the head, cleaning supplies the allow refills) or ways to reuse them.  

• Education 

• Education regarding recycling and proper disposal is vital because recycling is not always as easy as throwing a plastic container into the recycle bin. Not all counties or states are able to recycle the same items. Education on local issues and laws in your local area helps you also get involved with your community.  

• Microbeads 

• Microbeads are found often in face scrubs, hand soaps, toothpaste and body washes. These tiny beads of plastic are a growing source of ocean pollution. These items are ingested by ocean organisms which are often eaten by humans. The next time you are looking for cosmetic products, check the label and look for environmentally friendly alternatives.  

National Wildlife Day is celebrated each year on February 22^nd and September 4^th.  These days serve to bring awareness to endangered animal species both nationally and globally as well as the organizations that help them through education and conservation efforts. Countries around the globe are working on research and helping improve the health and population of animals every single day. These efforts include educational work, tracking practices, and laws that scientists, conservationists, and policymakers put in place to help ensure the safety and health of these populations all over the world. This work has already helped improve populations and overall health of many endangered species including the bald eagle, American alligator, sea turtle species (green, Hawksbill), and manatees.  

While it may seem that you need to do something big to make an impact, local efforts around the world can make a big difference. Below is a list of ways that you can help local endangered species in your community.  

• Support local nature centers 

• Local nature and wildlife centers educate about and support lots of the native wildlife in your community.  By supporting them financially and with your time, you can have a direct impact on local wildlife.  

• Vote  

• Voting in your local elections and supporting environmentally friendly issues and politicians helps to impact the environment positively in your local area.  

• Get involved  

• Look around your community and get involved in local volunteer projects and conservation efforts including habitat restorations, beach clean-ups and planting projects.  

• Re-vamp your backyard  

• You don’t need to do a complete overhaul of your backyard to have it be more friendly to your local wildlife visitors. Creating small habitats can be as easy as setting up small areas where animals can rest and find natural food and water.  

• Habitat awareness  

• When traveling and exploring natural areas be sure to stay in designated areas. Otherwise, you could unintentionally interfere with habitat in a negative way.  

• Education 

• Help educate yourself and others about the local wildlife in your area and how you can coexist with them.