- Alyson Laura
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
IFAS as a nature interpretation partner in biology
One of the best parts of developing this company is continuing my education. I was recently at Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center to learn about Mangroves. But first, let me expound on my love of learning and how I developed intuitive learning through nature. Anyone who has ever tried to learn about plants or animals knows that the information available is overwhelming. So it’s good to have trusted resources or partners in similar pursuit of education on the environment. For me, it feels similar to my study of Yoga, it’s so ancient that the vault of knowledge feels bottomless. I used to get disturbed by the thought I could never really know a subject. Until I found the one that I connected with, nature communication.
Vortex Tour as intuitive Skills Building
Now I delight in the idea that I have access to instant wisdom directly through the plants and animals. On a Sarasota Vortex Tour, we teach how to listen to nature to answer your own questions. It’s a lifelong practice, so whether it’s your first time practicing these concepts or 50th, stepping into the vortex will open you up to new possibilities. At Lemon Bay, I was particularly drawn to the nurturing energy of the Mangroves. Primarily providing shade on a hot day!
UF/IFAS Extension offices in all 67 counties
And don’t worry about this tour being too ‘woo-woo,’ we also love science and include plenty of ecology and wildlife interpretation through the lens of classical biology. And that’s where IFAS comes in; the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (https://ifas.ufl.edu/) hosted by the University of Florida. They are one of my most used resources because they publish and host education that is hyperspecific to my Southwest region as well as the other Counties in Florida. Like a Vortex Tour, they put educators in natural settings like Lemon Bay Park.
Cliffs notes for nature interpretation
I often refer to their publications from researchers and science communicators. You can type in just about any plant or animal and get some solid primary source information. (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/) For example, Myakka River State Park has remarkable fields of Coreopsis blooming in May, it’s our State Wildflower.
Learning in motion
In addition to publication and helpful tips for home gardeners, IFAS also hosts ecowalks that are open to the public. It’s a great affordable option to explore the parks and natural resources of Sarasota County. Check out their calendar of events (https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/who-we-are/events-clubs-camps-training-and-more/) and ecowalks specifically (https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ecowalks-236989). On May 13th I attended the ecowalk in Lemon Bay Park and Environment Center about Mangroves. I’ll tell you more about what I learned about the Mangrove forests in Lemon Bay Park.
Mangrove ecotour in Lemon Bay Park
Mangroves are a consistent presence in the South Florida coastline. Lemon Bay has all three of the species the live in Florida. That’s a fact I’ve always known from growing up in Florida. So imagine my surprise when I learned that there are 67 species found throughout the world. That’s way more than I imagined. The weird thing is, they aren’t all related in the same genus. Most plant or animal ‘species’ are grouped in the same genus and share genetic DNA or other traits.
The Mangrove designation is more defined by the role and function the tree plays as a keystone species in estuarine ecosystems. Keystone means that it support several other animals by providing habitat and nursery for young animals. One does not even have Mangrove as part of it’s common name! They must be able to live in harsh conditions and tolerate both fresh and salt water. Some live partially submerged, some prefer a little dryer elevation, but all have unique ways to manage the inevitable salt.
Types of Mangrove Trees in Lemon Bay
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle),
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans),
White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) and
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus).
How to identify the Mangroves in Lemon Bay
Our tour guide on the free IFAS ecowalk had really cute ways to remember the different types and ID them in the wild.
“Red red, pointy head” - The new leaves unfurl from a pointy spear at the terminal bud. It’s easier to recognize from how they grow and reproduce. They have the massive tangle of aerial roots that are half in air and half submerged in water unlike any other tree. And it produces the remarkable propagules, which are seed-like structures that look like a skinny cigar or torpedo. Check out this kid’s coloring sheet that shows the ecosystem supported by the red mangrove root structure. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/sarasota/documents/pdf/econr/storymap/docs/pub_ColoringSheetLemonBay1.pdf
“Black black, salty back” - That means, if you lick the backside of the leaf, it tastes very salty! Because the tree excretes salt through it’s leaves. Visually, the bark on the truck is ‘broken’ meaning there are grooves or veins and it’s not smooth. The leaf tip comes to a point.
“White white, Frankenstein’s fright” - this one is probably the most difficult to ID because the signs are subtle. Near the base of leaf, where it connects to the branch, there are 2 nodules that look like the bolts on Frankenstein’s neck. Instead of salt, they are to hold or excrete excess sugar. The leaf is sounded with a notch on top.
Future growth plans for Sarasota Vortex Tours include salt water vortexes where we will connect energetically with the mangrove trees. Until then, I hope you have fun practicing on your own. Let me know what you learn in the comments!
