In today’s episode we’re talking about Florida’s state animal, The Florida panther: where it lives, how it lives, the conservation wins that brought it back from the brink, and what each of us can do to help panthers and people coexist in a rapidly growing state

Learn More:

• Florida Panther Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/

• Wildlife Watch: Learn to protect the Florida panther during critical breeding season with Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide - https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/02/12/wildlife-watch-learn-to-protect-the-florida-panther-during-critical-breeding-season-with-ask-ifas-bilingual-guide/

• The Florida Panther: A Passageway to Success - https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/florida-panther

• Panther Pulse - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/

How You Can Help:

• Slow down in posted panther zones, especially at dawn/dusk/night

• Report injured/dead panthers to 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)

• Report sighting of Florida panther - https://app.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/

• Support land conservation programs and efforts - call your elected officials!

• Consider a “Protect the Panther” tag and support local conservation partners -https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/plate/

Sources:

• The Florida Panther: Past, Present, and Future https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW402

• Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Florida Panther https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW467

• Florida Panther Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/

Today, we’re discussing Florida’s state bird, the Northern Mockingbird: how it earned that title, how to recognize it, who it’s often confused with, and the meaning behind some of their behaviors.

Learn More:

• Northern Mockingbird - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview
• Northern Mockingbird - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-mockingbird
• State Bird: Mockingbird - https://dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-bird/

How You Can Help:

• Plant native shrubs and fruiting plants to support natural diets of the Northern Mockbird, and nesting habitat too!
• Remember – Aggressive behavior usually means there’s a nest nearby!
• Support your favorite bird species by promoting the habitat and land/water management practices that support their existence

Sources:

• Urban mockingbirds quickly learn to identify individual humans - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2690012/
• Cornell Lab: All About Birds – Northern Mockingbird - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview
• Breitwisch, R., Diaz, M., Natasha Gottlieb, Lee, R., & Zaias, J. (1986). Defense of Fall Territories by Mated and Unmated Northern Mockingbirds in Southern Florida. Journal of Field Ornithology, 57(1), 16–21. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4513085

Today, we’re diving into what makes the sabal palmetto special—from its biology and wildlife value to its cultural history—and how Floridians can help protect and support this iconic native plant.

Learn More:

• What is a tree? https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/trees-cities-towns/tree-selection/what-is-a-tree
• Sabal palmetto: Sabal or Cabbage Palm https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST575
• Sorting out the Florida Sabal Palms https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR357

How You Can Help:

• If you’re adding palms to your landscaping, consider adding a native cabbage palm instead of a nonnative palm.
• Protect what’s growing – Remember, sabal palm trunks do not self-heal like “normal” trees would – take care to avoid damaging them! Defend them against weedwhackers and other trauma.
• Practice responsible pruning - Don’t remove green fronds unnecessarily; fronds provide food and energy for the palm. Unless the frond is dry and brown,the tree still needs it. If you MUST prune, prune responsibly – only fronds that hang down and have already started to die off. (Learn more)
• Support conservation, Observe, andAppreciate our State Tree - Take a moment to notice sabal palms in your community—and thebirds and wildlife they support.

Sources:

• Cabbage palm – Sabal palmetto ⁠ https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/tree-tour/cabbage-palm/
• Sabal Palm ⁠ https://www.nps.gov/places/000/sabal-palm.htm
• Sabal palmetto: Investigating the ecological importanceof Florida’s state tree ⁠https://www.proquest.com/openview/22f53c0e4a34046d4bb033c747102003/1?cbl=18750&pq-origsite=gscholar
• https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST575
• https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR357