UF IFAS Brevard County Extension Service

🎙️ The Florida Master Naturalist Program is in the spotlight!

Interested in learning more about Florida's incredible ecosystems while connecting with fellow nature enthusiasts?

The President of the Coast Regional Friends Group of the Florida Master Naturalist Program recently joined WFIT's Coastal Connection to discuss the Florida Master Naturalist Program and the annual scholarship opportunities available to participants.

Take a few minutes to listen to the interview and discover how the program inspires conservation through education, and how it could be the perfect next step in your own naturalist journey.

🎧 Listen here: https://loom.ly/snSZFtk

🌿 Ready to experience the program for yourself? Registration is open for the Environmental Interpretation Module in Brevard County! This 40-hour course combines classroom learning, hands-on activities, and field experiences to help you build the skills to interpret and share Florida's amazing natural resources.

📅 Sept. 25 – Oct. 3, 2026
📍 Brevard County
Learn more and register here: https://loom.ly/j5-n2gw

We hope to see you in class! 💚

👀 Keep an eye out for this invasive seagrass.

Halophila stipulacea was first documented in Florida in 2024 near Key Biscayne and has continued to expand. Recently, it was identified at a marina in Tequesta, marking the first reported establishment of this invasive species in the Indian River Lagoon.

This fast-growing seagrass can form dense mats that compete with native seagrasses, potentially changing habitat for fish, shellfish, and other marine life.

You can help by: ✔️ Learning to recognize it ✔️ Cleaning boats, anchors, and fishing gear between trips ✔️ Reporting suspected sightings ❌ Not attempting to remove the plant yourself

Learn more in our latest blog post: 🔗 https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2026/07/09/getting-ahead-of-the-spread-meet-halophila-stipulacea/

📸 If you think you've found this species, do not remove it. Instead, take photos and report it to FWC.
✅Email photos and the location to [email protected]
✅Call 850-617-9430

Together, we can help protect Florida's valuable seagrass habitats.

Life skills development happens through everyday opportunities. As summer winds down, think of opportunities for your youth to develop giving, caring for others, community service, and sharing. To learn more: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2026/05/29/summer-time-blues-turning-free-time-into-life-skills-gold/

Don't miss out on the Scholarship Opportunities!!

Scholarship Opportunities

It’s has been said in different ways by many people that we only conserve what we love. But to love something, we must first understand its importance. This understanding comes from education. Our goal is to make that education accessible to as many people as possible.

The Florida Master Naturalist Program offers classes that welcome people from all backgrounds, not just volunteers, teachers, or eco‑tour guides, but anyone who wants to learn about the uniqueness and diversity of Florida’s natural areas and how they shape our quality of life.

The Space Coast Regional Friends Group of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is now accepting scholarship applications. These scholarships may be used for any FMNP class offered anywhere in Florida. If you are a Florida resident and at least 18 years old, you can find the scholarship information at the bottom of the page at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/brevard/sea-grant/scrc/ .

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026. Scholarships are awarded in mid‑October, and recipients have until the end of 2027 to complete a class.

To learn more about the Florida Master Naturalist Program, visit the FMNP website at https://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/.

🌱 Want to learn skills your grandparents may have known by heart?

From preserving food and making sourdough to improving garden soil and growing your own herbs and vegetables, our new Hands-On Homesteading Series is designed to help you build practical skills you can use at home.

Whether you're a gardener, foodie, DIY enthusiast, or simply curious about a more self-sufficient lifestyle, this series offers hands-on learning for beginners and experienced learners alike.

📅 Four Saturdays:
🌿August 15 – Aquaponics & Food Preservation
🌿 September 19 – Biochar, Soil Health & Sourdough
🌿 October 17 – Canning & Plant Propagation
🌿 November 21 – Growing Herbs & Vegetables & Cheese Making
🏡 Take one class or join us for all four!

Register today: https://loom.ly/ePbdmXs

Hands-On Homesteading Learn practical skills that help you get more from your garden, preserve seasonal abundance, and reconnect with your food. 4 Saturdays!