Mark E. Hostetler

0000-0002-1999-1938

Florida Bird Monitoring Program

Mark E. Hostetler

The Florida Bird Monitoring Program was developed by the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation's Wildlife Extension office in June 2001. The objective of the Florida Bird Monitoring Program is to maintain a website where you can enter and view bird survey data collected by yourself and others. Homeowners as well as participants from natural resource fields, Cooperative Extension, and state education programs are encouraged to participate.

Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase—Location of Conserved Open Spaces

Mark Hostetler

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase—Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment

Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb

Florida Monitoring Program: Point Count Method to Survey Birds

Mark E. Hostetler and Martin B. Main

The Wood Duck

Joseph M. Schaefer, Jennifer Cohen, and Mark E. Hostetler

Environmental Interpretation: How to Communicate Persuasively

Kara N. Youngentob and Mark E. Hostetler

Bird Monitoring Projects for Youth: Leader's Guide

Mark E. Hostetler

Forest Remnants: Conserving and Observing Bird Diversity in Urban Settings

Dan Dawson and Mark Hostetler

Developing Sign Displays for Conveying Information

Anna M. Prizzia, Mark E. Hostetler, and Martin B. Main

What Types of Urban Greenspace are Better for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration?

Mark Hostetler and Francisco Escobedo

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase—Native Landscaping Palette

Mark Hostetler and Martin B. Main

Policies that Address Sustainable Site Development

Marisa Romero and Mark E. Hostetler

History and Status of Introduced Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Silver Springs State Park, Florida

C. J. Anderson, S. A. Johnson, M. E. Hostetler, and M. G. Summers

How Effective and Humane Is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for Feral Cats?

Mark Hostetler, Samantha M. Wisely, Steve Johnson, Elizabeth F. Pienaar, and Martin Main

Bluebirds and Other Cavity-Nesting Birds: Youth Project Book

Loretta Rodriguez, Jessica Kochert, Joy Jordan, Christina Packard, and Mark Hostetler

This 4-H Bluebird Youth Project (4H WLM 20) is designed to help youth become careful and knowledgeable observers of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds in your area. Youth will learn to create a habitat that promotes the health and safety of local cavity-nesting birds. Finally, the project guides youth to explore and learn about bluebird monitoring and data collecting programs of researchers as well as careers. The accompanying Leader's Guide (4H WLL 30) supports this project and provides additional information and answer keys to youth activities.

Policies that Address Sustainable Building Practices

Marisa Romero and Mark E. Hostetler

Policies that Address Sustainable Landscaping Practices

Marisa Romero and Mark E. Hostetler

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase—Dark-sky Lighting

Mark Hostetler

A Bird's-Eye View: How Birds Select Habitat

Mark E. Hostetler

Bluebirds and Other Cavity-Nesting Birds: Leader's Guide

Loretta Rodriguez, Jessica Kochert, Joy Jordan, Christina Packard, and Mark Hostetler

The Leader's Guide (4H WLL 30) supports the Bluebird and Other Cavity-Nesting Birds Youth Project (4H WLM 20). This 40-page guide provides group leaders additional information and group activities to support a bluebird project. The guide includes ready-to-use skill-a-thon resource materials and facilitator tips for each activity.

Improving, Restoring, and Managing Natural Resources in Florida: Sources of Technical Assistance for Urban Homeowners

Mark Hostetler, Martin Main, and Chris Demers

Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase—Wetland Considerations

Mark Hostetler

Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection

Emma V. Willcox, Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main, and Maena Voigt

Florida Monitoring Program: Transect Method for Surveying Birds

Mark E. Hostetler and Martin B. Main

Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions that Address Environmental Issues in Residential Communities

Mark E. Hostetler

Making Your Community Green: Community-Based Social Marketing for EcoFriendly Communities

Krystal K. Noiseux and Mark E. Hostetler

Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi)

Mark E. Hostetler, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Amy K. Taylor

The giant land crab is the largest of Florida's semi-terrestrial crabs. This animal can measure up to 6 in (15 cm) across its carapace (Figure 1). In its juvenile form, the crab is a dark brown, purple, or orange in color. As an adult, it is a bluish-gray color. Females sometimes appear light gray or white. One claw is larger than the other and the walking legs are sparsely hairy.

If Foot-and-Mouth Disease Came to Florida: Potential Impact on White-tailed Deer in Florida

John T. Morgan, John Fischer, and Mark E. Hostetler

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase—Protecting Trees and Conserved Natural Areas

Mark Hostetler and Glenn Acomb

Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase—Wildlife-friendly Transportation Network

Mark Hostetler and Michael Moulton

Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: Top Ten Tips for Success

Mark E. Hostetler, Gregg Klowden, Sarah Webb Miller, and Kara N. Youngentob

Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase—Patch Size and Shape of Conserved Open Spaces

Mark Hostetler and Hal Knowles III

Farmers' Opinions about Bird Conservation and Pest Management on Organic and Conventional North Florida Farms

Susan K. Jacobson, Kathryn E. Sieving, Greg Jones, John McElroy, Beida Chen, Mark E. Hostetler, and Sarah W. Miller

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Karen Heulett, Mark E. Hostetler, and Ronald F. Labisky

Evaluating Green Communities: Top Eleven Questions to Ask

Mark E. Hostetler

Giant Salamanders of Florida

Kristina Sorensen and Mark E. Hostetler

Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality

Elizabeth Swiman, Mark Hostetler, Sarah Webb Miller, and Martin Main

Conservation Subdivision: Post-Construction Phase—Creating Signs to Educate Residents

Mark Hostetler

Evaluating Private Lands for Conservation of Wildlife

Martin B. Main, Mark E. Hostetler, and Annisa Karim

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase—Engaging Residents

Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler

Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Breeding and Wintering Habitat for Forest Birds

Mark Hostetler and Jan-Michael Archer

The "Building for Birds" online tool is designed to help decision makers evaluate different development scenarios and how they affect habitat for different species of forest birds that can use fragmented areas. The tool is most useful for small developments or developments in already fragmented landscapes. This publication explains how the tool can be used for forest birds in fragmented landscapes in any part of the United States.

The Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Joseph M. Schaefer and Mark E. Hostetler

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Animal Systems

¿Por qué no debemos alimentar a las aves acuáticas?

Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main y Maena Voigt. Traducido por Alejandra Areingdale y Miguel Acevedo

El propósito de este documento es ayudar a reducir la frecuencia con la que las personas alimentan a las aves que viven cerca del agua en Florida y explicar los impactos negativos de estas acciones. Este documento está dirigido a una audiencia general. Las aves acuáticas viven en o cerca de ambientes acuáticos como el océano, lagos, humedales, pantanos y ríos. Este grupo incluye pelícanos, patos, gansos, garzas, garcetas, gaviotas, charranes, cormoranes, etc.

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase—Urban Trees Can Reduce Household Carbon Footprint

Richard Vaughn, Mark Hostetler, and Francisco Escobedo

During the post-construction phase, the conservation and planting of native trees in individual yards and open spaces can reduce household and neighborhood carbon footprints. This 5-page fact sheet discusses the importance of urban trees and their role in mitigating for climate change by avoiding carbon emissions and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Evaluating Certified Coffee Programs

Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Sustainability of production systems and alternatives

Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Forest Fragments Used as Stopover Sites by Migrant Birds

Mark Hostetler and Jan-Michael Archer

The "Building for Birds" online tool is designed to help decision makers evaluate different development scenarios and how they affect habitat for different species of forest birds that can use fragmented areas. The tool is most useful for small developments or developments in already fragmented landscapes. This publication explains how the tool can help preserve stopover sites for migrating birds.

Birds in the ’Burbs: Do migratory birds prefer urban forest fragments or residential yards?

Ryan Buron, Mark Hostetler, and Michael Andreu

During migration, birds travel from their northern breeding grounds to their southern wintering grounds and vice versa. To understand which urban habitats are valuable for specific migratory species, we compared the diversity of migratory bird species that used urban forest fragments vs residential areas with tree canopy in Gainesville, Florida. Study results summarized in this fact sheet can help inform urban planners, developers, and homeowners about vegetation migratory birds use. Conservation of large, forested areas is important, but fragmented landscapes are not useless, and conserving urban forest fragments and trees in residential areas is also important for bird conservation.

Why Shouldn't We Feed Water Birds?

Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main, and Maena Voigt

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems

Improving, Restoring, and Managing Natural Resources on Rural Properties in Florida: Sources of Financial Assistance

Chris Demers, Martin B. Main, and Mark E. Hostetler

The purpose of this publication is to inform landowners about government programs available to help conserve natural resources. In each case we describe the program options, benefits, and requirements and provide information on where to apply.

Conserving Urban Wildlife in the Face of Climate Change

Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase—Policy Directions and the Importance of Assessing Stakeholder Opinions

Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Informed community decision-making

Potential Breeding Habitat for 3 Forest-Specialist Birds in the Suburbs

Natalie Pegg and Mark Hostetler

Studies report that urban areas may not provide breeding habitat for interior-forest birds, but some residential neighborhoods do have sufficient vegetation to serve as breeding habitat for forest birds and even interior-forest specialists. The authors investigated the occurrence of three interior-forest specialists, pileated woodpeckers, summer tanagers, and northern parulas, during the breeding season in two suburban neighborhoods of Gainesville, Florida, and found that all three species occurred in residential neighborhoods consistently throughout the breeding season and were most often detected in local areas with dense vegetation from the ground to the canopy. Our results suggest that decision-makers can improve the amount of breeding habitat in southeastern cities for these three species by retaining forest fragments, tree canopy, large trees, tree snags, and understory vegetation.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Muhammad Azeem Akhter and Mark Hostetler

This fact sheet describes a common wintering bird in Florida called the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). Information in this fact sheet is relevant to homeowners, backyard bird enthusiasts, and the general public. Written by Muhammad Azeem Akhter and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2024.

Nonnative Monkey Populations of Florida: History, Status, and Potential Impacts

C. Jane Anderson, Audrey C. Wilson, Deborah (Missy) Williams, Mark E. Hostetler, and Steve A. Johnson

At least nine populations of non-human primates have established in Florida since the 1930s. These include three species: rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sp.). Invasion success has varied among the three species. As of 2021, a single, growing population of rhesus macaques was present in central Florida; a single, stable population of vervet monkeys was present in south Florida; and only two squirrel monkeys remained of a previous population on a private property in south Florida. Demonstrated and potential impacts of the three species also varied. Continued monitoring and research of introduced primate populations in Florida is critical to better understand impacts and management needs.

Cues to Care: Are city landowners willing to make ecological landscapes?

Mark Hostetler

The purpose of this fact sheet is to inform homeowners, developers, and city officials about potential considerations to make urban landscapes more eco-friendly, to improve urban biodiversity, and to explore avenues to install more environmentally friendly landscapes that provide wildlife habitat and reduce natural resource consumption.

Viviendo con los caimanes: una realidad en Florida

Elizabeth Swiman, Mark Hostetler, Sarah Webb Miller, y Martin Main, y traducido por Alejandra Areingdale, Miguel Acevedo

En Florida compartimos nuestro ambiente con un reptil enorme, el caimán americano (Alligator mississipiensis). Caimanes y humanos interactúan frecuentemente debido al aumento drástico de la población humana; esto ha incrementado la posibilidad de conflicto. Entender dónde habitan los caimanes, cómo se comportan, y qué podemos hacer para evitar conflictos es vital para poder compartir nuestro espacio de forma segura.  Esta es la versión en español del documento originalmente publicado en inglés: "Living with alligators: a reality in Florida" (#WEC203)

Beach Mice

Brittany L. Bird, Deborah L. Miller, Margo A. Stoddard, Lyn C. Branch, and Mark E. Hostetler

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Built Areas as Habitat for Forest Birds

Mark Hostetler and Jan-Michael Archer

A variety of forest birds use trees and shrubs in built areas (urban residential and commercial areas) as summer breeding sites and foraging/shelter sites during winter and spring/fall migration seasons. This publication explains how the "building for birds" online evaluation tool can help assess the impacts of different development plans on bird habitat so that decision makers can explore different designs and determine which may be best and conserve the most—and the best—bird habitat.

Helping Cavity-Nesters in Florida

Joe Schaefer

Hummingbirds of Florida

Joe Schaefer and Craig N. Huegel

Dealing with Unwanted Wildlife in an Urban Environment

Joe Schaefer

Baiting the Nine-Banded Armadillo

Holly K. Ober, Lucas W. DeGroote, and Russell F. Mizell III

What is the tastiest treat to tempt an armadillo? Armadillos are one of the most significant nuisance pests in Florida and much of the Southeast. There are no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants registered for use with them. They are good at both burrowing beneath and climbing over fences. There are also no effective methods for baiting them into traps. So, the authors of this 3-page fact sheet set up a test to determine which materials have the greatest potential to serve as bait.

Overview of How to Stop Damage Caused by Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard

Holly K. Ober and Arlo Kane

How to Identify the Wildlife Species Responsible for Damage in Your Yard

Holly K. Ober and Arlo Kane

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems

How to Modify Habitat to Discourage Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard

Holly K. Ober and Arlo Kane

How to Use Deterrents to Stop Damage Caused by Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard

Holly K. Ober and Arlo Kane

How to Use Traps to Catch Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard

Holly K. Ober and Arlo Kane

BioBlitzes: Citizen Science for Biodiversity in Florida

Mathieu Basille and Kathryn Stofer

Cómo identificar las especies de animales responsables por el daño en tu jardín

Holly K. Ober y Arlo Kane y traducido por Alejandra Areingdale y Miguel Acevedo

Aunque muchos disfrutan de la vida silvestre en sus jardines, hay situaciones donde la presencia de animales puede causar mucho daño a los jardines. Saber identificar las especies responsables de causar estos daños es el primer paso para encontrar una solución al problema. Consulte la publicación de EDIS, WEC323, titulada Overview of How to Stop Damage Caused by Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard para una guía completa de los pasos a seguir para identificar y solucionar los problemas causados por la vida silvestre en tu jardín. En esta publicación, describimos el primer paso para mitigar los problemas causados por la vida silvestre: identificar el culpable. Aquí proveemos imágenes del daño causado en áreas residenciales para ayudarle a determinar cuáles especies pueden estar causando problemas similares en su jardín.