UF IFAS Extension Palm Beach County

08/21/2026

CALLING ALL COMMUNITY SCIENTISTS - THE Great Southeast Pollinator Census IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!! It's time to count pollinators!!

This conservation activity is open to anyone in the states of , , , , , or ! Join us today, tomorrow, Sunday, and/or Monday to count pollinators across the southeastern United States! That's right, we've added Sunday (8/23) and Monday (8/24) due to expected stormy weather in some of the participating states!

To find an event to participate near you, click on the link below. Maybe you want to see what pollinator trends are happening in your backyard - that's fine too! Simply go to our website to download the count sheet and insect ID guide, then complete your count! See previous posts for more information!

Events in Your County: https://shorturl.at/maH0E

How to Participate: https://shorturl.at/eytR8

Count Sheets and Insect ID Guides: https://gsepc.org/resources/

08/14/2026

What if helping protect pollinators only took 15 minutes?

On Aug. 21-22, Floridians of all ages can join the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a citizen science effort led in Florida by UF/IFAS Extension. All you need is a blooming plant, 15 minutes, and a little curiosity.

Choose a flowering plant in your yard, a park, schoolyard, or community garden, then count the bees, butterflies, beetles, and other pollinators that visit. No scientific experience or insect identification skills are required!

In 2025, Floridians submitted more than 5,100 counts across 59 counties and helped create 183 new sustainable pollinator habitats. This year, the goal is to reach all 67 Florida counties and double participation to 10,000 counts.

To learn more, click the link!
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08/10/2026

We are incredibly proud of the hard work from everyone on the TechGarage Solar Car Team!

07/29/2026

Join our Master Gardener Volunteers for FREE research-based horticulture programs in the month of August!

Register here for PBC Library Programs: https://tinyurl.com/5fr77nw6

Register here for Jupiter Community Center programs:
https://www.jupiter.fl.us/calendar.aspx

Palm Beach County Palm Beach County Library System Palm Beach County 4-H

07/22/2026

Do you rely on a private well or septic system?

Join the UF/IFAS Florida Well Owner Network for a free four-part webinar series covering private wells, septic systems, hurricane preparedness, and home water treatment systems.

Topics include:

Private Well 101
Septic System 101
Protecting Water Systems Before and After Storms
Home Water Treatment Systems

The series will be offered in both English and Spanish for the first time.

Registration is free, but spots are limited and advance registration is required.

Register online: bit.ly/4wd6TRx

07/03/2026

PSA: We're excited to announce a new STEM learning opportunity for our senior-level 4-H youth!

More information can be found on the flyer.
To register: https://PBCHeatToHealth.4honline.com
Registration opens today and will remain open through the end of the day on Sunday, July 12th.

What Participants Will Learn:
• Principles of thermodynamics and energy transfer
• How heat influences physical and chemical changes
• Real-world applications of energy in science, engineering, and everyday life
• Scientific observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Connections to STEM education and career pathways

This is a unique opportunity for older youth to engage with advanced scientific concepts through hands-on learning and mentorship from a college student pursuing a STEM career. Space is limited, so interested youth are encouraged to register early.

06/19/2026

06/16/2026

What to learn about growing mangoes? Join us at the Florida Mango Festival! Full story: bit.ly/4oyNZBA

Though a historic freeze damaged early South Florida mango crops, the season still prevails just in time for upcoming festivals. See link below ⬇️

📸 apomares, Getty Images

06/13/2026

Happy ! Summer in Florida brings with it the beautiful, iconic blooms of our native hibiscus and mallows. But this year, something will be a little different – their taxonomic designations. Recent research has led to six of our Hibiscus species being split into two genera: Muenchhusia and Sabdariffa.

Read our latest post to learn why and find a guide to the updated nomenclature: https://www.flawildflowers.org/taxonomy-news-hibiscus/

Taxonomic changes — especially for well-known species — can be frustrating and hard to keep up with, but they reflect the work of dedicated scientists striving to better understand the evolutionary relationships of the flora and fauna around us.