1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

 Let’s Celebrate…Lakes  With more than 7,800 naturally occurring lakes, Florida is among  25 States nationwide which have submitted proclamations in support of Lakes Appreciation month, observed each summer in July. Through the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH©  program, Florida residents can participate in  monthly volunteer  activities which help to improve water quality by monitoring the health [&#8230;]

<img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-2535 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/citrusco/files/2024/05/lake-blog-4-300x85.jpg" alt="" width="476" height="135" />  Let’s Celebrate…Lakes 
With more than 7,800 naturally occurring lakes, Florida is among  25 States nationwide which have submitted proclamations in support of Lakes Appreciation month, observed each summer in July. Through the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH©  program, Florida residents can participate in  monthly volunteer  activities which help to improve water quality by monitoring the health of Florida’s lakes, estuaries, rivers, and springs. To help preserve water quality it is also recommended that if you live close to a waterbody, your septic tank should be inspected every 3 to 5 years.
Other lake-appreciation activities recommended by the North American Lake Management Society include:
<ul>
<li>Organize a shoreline cleanup, go birding, or take pictures at a lake or pond.</li>
<li>Organize a lake field trip for students or community clubs.</li>
<li>Organize a hike or biking event with a focus on your local lake.</li>
<li>Contact LAKEWATCH©  or your local lake agency about volunteering to help monitor your local waterbody or watershed.</li>
<li>Enjoy your local lake, pond, or reservoir with fun summertime activities, such as fishing, boating, kayaking, or canoeing.</li>
<li>Volunteer with a watershed storm drain stenciling program.</li>
<li>Draw or paint a lake scene for your home or office.</li>
</ul>
To learn more, click on this <a href="https://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a> to visit the Lakewatch website.
<img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-2539 aligncenter lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="298" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/citrusco/files/2024/05/lakewatch-298x300.png">
&nbsp;

Let’s Celebrate…Lakes 
With more than 7,800 naturally occurring lakes, Florida is among  25 States nationwide which have submitted proclamations in support of Lakes Appreciation month, observed each summer in July. Through the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH©  program, Florida residents can participate in  monthly volunteer  activities which help to improve water quality by monitoring the health of Florida’s lakes, estuaries, rivers, and springs. To help preserve water quality it is also recommended that if you live close to a waterbody, your septic tank should be inspected every 3 to 5 years.
Other lake-appreciation activities recommended by the North American Lake Management Society include:
Organize a shoreline cleanup, go birding, or take pictures at a lake or pond.
Organize a lake field trip for students or community clubs.
Organize a hike or biking event with a focus on your local lake.
Contact LAKEWATCH©  or your local lake agency about volunteering to help monitor your local waterbody or watershed.
Enjoy your local lake, pond, or reservoir with fun summertime activities, such as fishing, boating, kayaking, or canoeing.
Volunteer with a watershed storm drain stenciling program.
Draw or paint a lake scene for your home or office.
To learn more, click on this link to visit the Lakewatch website.

Let’s Celebrate…Lakes  With more than 7,800 naturally occurring lakes, Florida is among  25 States nationwide which have submitted proclamations in support of Lakes Appreciation month, observed each summer in July. Through the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH©  program, Florida residents can participate in  monthly volunteer  activities which help to improve water quality by monitoring the health […]

Florida Lakeside Living

Is your lawn showing signs of pests? Looking to give your landscape that tropical Florida native design? Looking for new ways to mulch your garden with some composting basics? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has you covered. Mark your calendars for the 2024 Florida-Friendly Landscaping&#x2122;: Urban Horticulture Lecture Series. [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_42051" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-42051" style="width: 405px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-42051" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/01/FFL-030298-homeowner-yard-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="270" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-42051" class="wp-caption-text">A homeowner spreads pine straw in her FFL yard. Courtesy Cat Wofford UF/IFAS Photography.</figcaption></figure>
Is your lawn showing signs of pests? Looking to give your landscape that tropical Florida native design? Looking for new ways to mulch your garden with some composting basics? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has you covered.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Florida-Friendly Landscaping&#x2122;: Urban Horticulture Lecture Series. This free virtual webinar will connect consumers with a new scientist or Extension agent each month, addressing a specific landscape and gardening topic. The yearlong program, presented by the <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/broward/">UF/IFAS Broward Extension Office,</a> is open to residents throughout the state. The goal is to shed light on key horticulture topics supporting <a href="https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/">Florida-Friendly Landscaping</a>&#x2122; (FFL) principals.
First up on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ufifas-extension-lecture-series-the-basics-of-composting-tickets-796920048317?fbclid=IwAR1IYCJ9yIfNaC_2Qua8xhwuqVXspx1V62M7QfI9yIR1cowHaPj3_KOgQAQ">Feb. 13</a>, learn “The Basics of Composting” and regain moisture in your soil. <a href="https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/dr-mica-mcmillan/">Mica McMillan</a>, a soil scientist at <a href="https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu">UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center</a>, will walk participants through the basics of composting kitchen waste for use on soils on landscaping, garden beds and even vegetable gardens. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ufifas-extension-lecture-series-the-basics-of-composting-tickets-796920048317?fbclid=IwAR1IYCJ9yIfNaC_2Qua8xhwuqVXspx1V62M7QfI9yIR1cowHaPj3_KOgQAQ">Registration is required</a>. A Zoom link will be provided after registration to gain access to the live webinar.
“We aim to bring consumers the topics they want and need to adopt sustainable landscaping principals,” said Lorna Bravo, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County director and urban horticulture agent. “We have arranged a schedule that will meet the needs whether it is to improve your garden, landscaping, tree canopy and more.”
<figure id="attachment_42049" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-42049" style="width: 366px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-42049" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/01/Compst-bin-030304-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="244" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-42049" class="wp-caption-text">Composting basics take just a few simple steps that include stirring the contents in preparation for use in gardening. Courtesy Cat Wofford UF/IFAS Photography.</figcaption></figure>
Other topics and dates scheduled for the year are:
<ul>
<li>March 12 – “Be Aware of Toxic Plants” – <a href="https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/directory/faculty/marble/">Chris Marble</a>, associate professor of ornamental landscape weed management at UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research &amp; Education Center.</li>
<li>April 9 – “Design Your Landscape with Intent” – <a href="https://clue.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/taylor-clem/">Taylor Clem</a>, horticulture Extension agent and UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County director.</li>
<li>May 14 – “Rain Harvesting” – <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/author/lbravo1/">Lorna Bravo</a>.</li>
<li>June 11 – “UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program” – Lorna Bravo.</li>
<li>July – No webinar scheduled. Series is on summer break this month.</li>
<li>Aug. 13 – “After the Storm Tree Care” – <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/broward/commercial-horticulture-program-/">Michael Orfanedes</a>, commercial horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Extension Broward.</li>
<li>Sept. 10 – “Living Shorelines” – <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/dr-vincent-encomio/">Vincent Encomio</a>, Florida Sea Grant agent for St. Lucie and Martin counties.</li>
<li>Oct. 8 – “Gardening in Small Place” – Norma Samuel, Global Food Systems Institute Extension agent.</li>
<li>Nov. 12 – “Rain Gardens” – Lorna Bravo.</li>
<li>Dec. 10 – “Mulching basics and more” – Chris Marble.</li>
</ul>
For more information on other topics, contact Lorna Bravo, UF/IFAS Extension Broward director at <a href="mailto:lbravo1@ufl.edu">lbravo1@ufl.edu</a>.
###
By Lourdes Mederos (<a href="mailto:rodriguezl@ufl.edu">rodriguezl@ufl.edu</a>)
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
ABOUT THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING PROGRAM 
Florida-Friendly Landscaping&#x2122; (FFL) program promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping by providing guidance to homeowners and industry professionals on low-impact, environmentally friendly and science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters. Sponsored in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the overall goal of the FFL program is to reduce nonpoint source pollution through proper fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide use on residential and commercial landscapes. 
<a style="color: inherit;cursor: text" href="https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ffl.ifas.ufl.edu</a> | <a style="color: inherit;cursor: text" href="https://www.facebook.com/uf.ffl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@uf.ffl</a>

A homeowner spreads pine straw in her FFL yard. Courtesy Cat Wofford UF/IFAS Photography.
Is your lawn showing signs of pests? Looking to give your landscape that tropical Florida native design? Looking for new ways to mulch your garden with some composting basics? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has you covered.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Urban Horticulture Lecture Series. This free virtual webinar will connect consumers with a new scientist or Extension agent each month, addressing a specific landscape and gardening topic. The yearlong program, presented by the UF/IFAS Broward Extension Office, is open to residents throughout the state. The goal is to shed light on key horticulture topics supporting Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principals.
First up on Feb. 13, learn “The Basics of Composting” and regain moisture in your soil. Mica McMillan, a soil scientist at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, will walk participants through the basics of composting kitchen waste for use on soils on landscaping, garden beds and even vegetable gardens. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be provided after registration to gain access to the live webinar.
“We aim to bring consumers the topics they want and need to adopt sustainable landscaping principals,” said Lorna Bravo, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County director and urban horticulture agent. “We have arranged a schedule that will meet the needs whether it is to improve your garden, landscaping, tree canopy and more.”
Composting basics take just a few simple steps that include stirring the contents in preparation for use in gardening. Courtesy Cat Wofford UF/IFAS Photography.
Other topics and dates scheduled for the year are:
March 12 – “Be Aware of Toxic Plants” – Chris Marble, associate professor of ornamental landscape weed management at UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center.
April 9 – “Design Your Landscape with Intent” – Taylor Clem, horticulture Extension agent and UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County director.
May 14 – “Rain Harvesting” – Lorna Bravo.
June 11 – “UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program” – Lorna Bravo.
July – No webinar scheduled. Series is on summer break this month.
Aug. 13 – “After the Storm Tree Care” – Michael Orfanedes, commercial horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Extension Broward.
Sept. 10 – “Living Shorelines” – Vincent Encomio, Florida Sea Grant agent for St. Lucie and Martin counties.
Oct. 8 – “Gardening in Small Place” – Norma Samuel, Global Food Systems Institute Extension agent.
Nov. 12 – “Rain Gardens” – Lorna Bravo.
Dec. 10 – “Mulching basics and more” – Chris Marble.
For more information on other topics, contact Lorna Bravo, UF/IFAS Extension Broward director at lbravo1@ufl.edu.
###
By Lourdes Mederos (rodriguezl@ufl.edu)
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
ABOUT THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING PROGRAM 
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping by providing guidance to homeowners and industry professionals on low-impact, environmentally friendly and science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters. Sponsored in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the overall goal of the FFL program is to reduce nonpoint source pollution through proper fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide use on residential and commercial landscapes. 
ffl.ifas.ufl.edu | @uf.ffl

Is your lawn showing signs of pests? Looking to give your landscape that tropical Florida native design? Looking for new ways to mulch your garden with some composting basics? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has you covered. Mark your calendars for the 2024 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Urban Horticulture Lecture Series. […]

Free monthly Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ webinar offers consumers tips on lawns, gardens, composting, much more

Vincent Encomio is all about building resiliency and sustainability for Florida’s coastlines. As a Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie counties, Encomio has made significant strides in enhancing environmental literacy and stewardship along the Treasure Coast, focusing on habitat restoration, harmful algal blooms and aquaculture for the last five years. On December 14, the Florida Association [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_41301" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-41301" style="width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-41301 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="240" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2023/12/022799-Vincent-encomio-headshot-240x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-41301" class="wp-caption-text">Vincent Encomio is a multicounty Florida Sea Grant agent for serving UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie counties.</figcaption></figure>
<a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/dr-vincent-encomio/">Vincent Encomio</a> is all about building resiliency and sustainability for Florida’s coastlines.
As a <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/about-us/">Florida Sea Grant</a> agent for <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/martin/">UF/IFAS Extension Martin</a> and <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucie/">St. Lucie</a> counties, Encomio has made significant strides in enhancing environmental literacy and stewardship along the Treasure Coast, focusing on habitat restoration, harmful algal blooms and aquaculture for the last five years.
On December 14, the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Treasure Coast Chapter (TCC-FAEP) will recognize Encomio as one of five 2023 Environmental Excellence Award recipients. His Extension work on <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS707">living shorelines</a> along the Atlantic coast in the Southeast was nominated for its ingenuity, dedication and vision in addressing local environmental challenges.
<figure id="attachment_41311" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-41311" style="width: 570px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-41311 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="570" height="365" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2023/12/Living-shoreline-example-courtesy-Armando-Ubeda-FSG-1-300x192.png"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-41311" class="wp-caption-text">This is view of a living shoreline found along the Southwest coast of Florida. Photo courtesy Armando Ubeda, Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.</figcaption></figure>
Encomio has been a driving force behind the <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/workforce-training/living-shorelines-training-for-marine-contractors/">Florida Sea Grant Marine Contractor Living Shoreline Training Course</a>. The program meets a critical need for coastal consumers that aims to prepare the coastal workforce to meet the increasing demands for living shorelines.
“Locally, the Indian River Lagoon region has a close-knit group of environmental professionals that are eager to share knowledge with each other to benefit the health of the lagoon. Working in this community has been an enormously gratifying experience,” said Encomio. “I am blessed to work among a great team of colleagues in Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS who are passionate about spreading knowledge of nature-based solutions like living shorelines throughout Florida.”
Living shorelines are a natural coastal resiliency strategy using plants and habitat structures such as oyster reefs to strengthen beaches against erosion. The technique’s most recent success gained national attention in Cedar Key as <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2023/11/29/cedar-key-living-shorelines/">living shoreline projects</a> as the tiny coastal town weathered Hurricane Idalia’s winds and storm surge.
With his course, Encomio has successfully educated and trained industries to take green, nature-based approaches to stabilize estuary shorelines and make coastlines more resilient to erosion and rising sea levels. Target audiences range from the marine construction industry to environmental consultants, landscape professionals, waterfront homeowners, local governments and environmental non-profits.
Together with program assistant Mandy Sunshine Baily and his Florida Sea Grant colleagues, he has led numerous lectures and training classes throughout the region, educating the public, marine contractors and municipal staff about the importance of living shorelines and providing valuable tools and resources to implement living shoreline design and construction.
“You can find Vincent building a living shoreline and designing reef prisms with Eagle Scouts, providing expertise to local governments, or leading a citizen science Water Ambassador program,” said Josh Mills, a TCC-FAEP board member. “While his title states extension agent for Martin and St. Lucie counties, his name is known and respected statewide. We are fortunate and proud to claim Dr. Vincent Encomio as a part of our Treasure Coast FAEP family.”
“Vincent’s ability to lead and educate has been evident by the 30 or more volunteers attending citizen science events that include oyster bagging, reef deployments, seagrass mat making, and more. That same passion for education and engagement exists today with his Sea Grant work,” according to the board’s summary.
The Treasure Coast Chapter is the local affiliate of the FAEP and the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), a multidisciplinary association of environmental experts from a variety of disciplines, including biologists, scientists, geologists, environmental engineers, environmental attorneys, wetland scientists, botanists, planners who perform a variety of environmental work to promote resiliency and sustainability. The association also serves as a forum in which state-of-the-art environmental planning, research, and management is advanced.
###
&nbsp;
By Lourdes Mederos, <a href="mailto:rodriguezl@ufl.edu">rodriguezl@ufl.edu</a>
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
The Florida Sea Grant program, hosted at UF/IFAS, is a university-based program that supports research, education and Extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida. In addition to UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities, the <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.noaa.gov%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5EEyj7SPrBzBVgb%2BtGjD3fIp2O9e900lcUy7yRhbBS4%3D&amp;reserved=0">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>  and county governments.
<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flseagrant.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8Ex2Og9OC2B4e02lNxgiwmx2bPgr8lCe7onsCM1hhes%3D&amp;reserved=0">flseagrant.org</a>  |  <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FFloridaSeaGrant&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3YV9%2BBUAsSAD9gjZ7kyOjd%2FBzf3MrzWv9kQFMsAYhfM%3D&amp;reserved=0">@FloridaSeaGrant</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Vincent Encomio is a multicounty Florida Sea Grant agent for serving UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Vincent Encomio is all about building resiliency and sustainability for Florida’s coastlines.
As a Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie counties, Encomio has made significant strides in enhancing environmental literacy and stewardship along the Treasure Coast, focusing on habitat restoration, harmful algal blooms and aquaculture for the last five years.
On December 14, the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Treasure Coast Chapter (TCC-FAEP) will recognize Encomio as one of five 2023 Environmental Excellence Award recipients. His Extension work on living shorelines along the Atlantic coast in the Southeast was nominated for its ingenuity, dedication and vision in addressing local environmental challenges.
This is view of a living shoreline found along the Southwest coast of Florida. Photo courtesy Armando Ubeda, Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
Encomio has been a driving force behind the Florida Sea Grant Marine Contractor Living Shoreline Training Course. The program meets a critical need for coastal consumers that aims to prepare the coastal workforce to meet the increasing demands for living shorelines.
“Locally, the Indian River Lagoon region has a close-knit group of environmental professionals that are eager to share knowledge with each other to benefit the health of the lagoon. Working in this community has been an enormously gratifying experience,” said Encomio. “I am blessed to work among a great team of colleagues in Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS who are passionate about spreading knowledge of nature-based solutions like living shorelines throughout Florida.”
Living shorelines are a natural coastal resiliency strategy using plants and habitat structures such as oyster reefs to strengthen beaches against erosion. The technique’s most recent success gained national attention in Cedar Key as living shoreline projects as the tiny coastal town weathered Hurricane Idalia’s winds and storm surge.
With his course, Encomio has successfully educated and trained industries to take green, nature-based approaches to stabilize estuary shorelines and make coastlines more resilient to erosion and rising sea levels. Target audiences range from the marine construction industry to environmental consultants, landscape professionals, waterfront homeowners, local governments and environmental non-profits.
Together with program assistant Mandy Sunshine Baily and his Florida Sea Grant colleagues, he has led numerous lectures and training classes throughout the region, educating the public, marine contractors and municipal staff about the importance of living shorelines and providing valuable tools and resources to implement living shoreline design and construction.
“You can find Vincent building a living shoreline and designing reef prisms with Eagle Scouts, providing expertise to local governments, or leading a citizen science Water Ambassador program,” said Josh Mills, a TCC-FAEP board member. “While his title states extension agent for Martin and St. Lucie counties, his name is known and respected statewide. We are fortunate and proud to claim Dr. Vincent Encomio as a part of our Treasure Coast FAEP family.”
“Vincent’s ability to lead and educate has been evident by the 30 or more volunteers attending citizen science events that include oyster bagging, reef deployments, seagrass mat making, and more. That same passion for education and engagement exists today with his Sea Grant work,” according to the board’s summary.
The Treasure Coast Chapter is the local affiliate of the FAEP and the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), a multidisciplinary association of environmental experts from a variety of disciplines, including biologists, scientists, geologists, environmental engineers, environmental attorneys, wetland scientists, botanists, planners who perform a variety of environmental work to promote resiliency and sustainability. The association also serves as a forum in which state-of-the-art environmental planning, research, and management is advanced.
###
 
By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
The Florida Sea Grant program, hosted at UF/IFAS, is a university-based program that supports research, education and Extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida. In addition to UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  and county governments.
flseagrant.org  |  @FloridaSeaGrant

Vincent Encomio is all about building resiliency and sustainability for Florida’s coastlines. As a Florida Sea Grant agent for UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie counties, Encomio has made significant strides in enhancing environmental literacy and stewardship along the Treasure Coast, focusing on habitat restoration, harmful algal blooms and aquaculture for the last five years. On December 14, the Florida Association […]

UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant agent’s work on living shorelines honored by Treasure Coast environmental association

Protected Cultivation

Cultivos protegidos 

Protected Agriculture

Human-made Structures

Estructuras

Coastal Areas

Coasts

Áreas costeras

Natural Resources and Environment Programs

Programas de Recursos Naturales

Environmental Volunteer Programs

Living Shorelines

Camp, Edward V.

Reynolds, Laura K.

Patterson, Joshua T.

Barry, Savanna C.

Smyth, Ashley R.

The Florida Sea Grant College Program supports research and education activities that help Florida's shoreline communities, industries and citizens wisely use the state's coastal and marine resources. Source: <a href="http://flseagrant.ifas.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida Sea Grant Marine Extension</a>

Sea Grant

UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Extension faculty translate current and relevant soil and water science knowledge into user-friendly form for Florida residents, visitors, industry, business, governmental agencies and county agents.
<h3>Related Topics</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/nutrient_management">Nutrient Management</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/soil_and_water_by_county">Soil and Water by County</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/soil_testing">Soil Testing</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/waste_management">Waste Management</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/water">Water Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/wetlands">Wetlands</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/spa_soil_and_water">Spanish Language Soil and Water resources </a></li>
</ul>

Soil and Water Science

Industry

Sciences

Farms

UF/IFAS Extension Initiative 1: Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

The science or practice of farming, including growing crops and raising animals for the production of food, fiber, fuel and other products. [NALT]
Agriculture or farming is the cultivation and breeding of animals, plants and fungi for food, fiber, biofuel, medicinal plants and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. [AGROVOC]

Agriculture

Agricultura

4-H Agricultural Science

Cultural Methods

Prácticas culturales

Activities

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Protection

Protección

The production of high-value vegetables and other horticultural crops in greenhouses and vertical farms. It allows farmers to grow cash crops on small plots in marginal, water-deficient areas where traditional cropping may not be viable. Also called protected agriculture or protected crop production.

Living Shorelines

Publications

A Homeowner's Guide to the Living Shoreline Permit Exemption Part 2: United States Army Corps of Engineers

A Homeowner's Guide to the Living Shoreline Permit Exemption, Part 1: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Coastal Armoring Impacts on Beaches and Sea Turtles

Ecosystem Services Provided by Living Shorelines

Living Shoreline Ecosystem Service Valuation Tool

Living Shoreline Monitoring—How do I evaluate the environmental benefits of my living shoreline?

Related IFAS Blog Posts

Florida Lakeside Living

Free monthly Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ webinar offers consumers tips on lawns, gardens, composting, much more

UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant agent’s work on living shorelines honored by Treasure Coast environmental association

Broader Topics

Protected Cultivation

Human-made Structures

Coastal Areas

Natural Resources and Environment Programs

Related Units

Sea Grant

Soil and Water Science

Related Experts

Related Links

Find publications by topic area

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