University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

EDIS Update

New and revised publications from the University of Florida Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

    Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind (FOR71/FR076)

    October 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, House & Home, Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. With careful management and preparation, fire can be a positive force in maintaining Florida's native forests.Fire is a powerful part of Florida’s landscape. It can maintain healthy natural ecosystems (Figure 1), but can also turn a home to ashes. Florida’s frequent lightning strikes and human carelessness guarantee that wildfire will continue to be a factor in both rural and suburban areas. Some homeowners may wonder if they are in danger of wildfire. Find out if you are at risk, and follow these guidelines to reduce the threat of wildfire. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Martha Monroe, Alan Long, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr076

    Renter’s Insurance (FAR5007/FM382)

    September 28th, 2012
    Topic(s):House & Home

    apartment for rent sign“Whether you’re a family living in a rental house or apartment, or a parent whose children are in a rental situation, one of the costs that people tend to forget or ignore is renter’s insurance. But according to consumer science researchers, everyone renting an apartment or a house should have renter’s insurance. It will protect you and your family against losses from disasters such as hurricanes and fire.” This 2-page Family Album Radio transcript was written by Mary Harrison and Donna Davis, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, August 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fm382

    Improving Savings and Health by Maintaining Your Home at a Ready-to-Sell Level (FCS3310/FY1321)

    April 12th, 2012
    Topic(s):House & Home

    We never know when the market will allow for bidding wars on the price of homes, which was the case in some areas before the recent housing crisis. Similarly, we never know when we will have to make a decision about whether or not to move our family. This 4-page fact sheet reviews ways to maintain your home at a ready-to-sell level, which can be a benefit if you have to sell your home or relocate your family. Written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1321

    Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase: Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment (WEC319/UW364)

    April 9th, 2012
    Topic(s):Community Development, House & Home, Water

    Figure 2. A bioretention area at SW Recreation Center, University of FloridaBecause so much area in subdivisions is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and driveways, stormwater runoff must be accounted for and treated to prevent flooding and to remove contaminates. Often, stormwater runoff impacts surrounding landscapes and water bodies due to nutrient loading. In this 7-page fact sheet, we discuss the importance of using a more distributed stormwater treatment system that treats runoff closer to the source. Often called Low Impact Development (LID), this stormwater management approach is being used to more effectively remove pollutants from runoff. Written by Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw364

    Be Prepared: Tips for Assembling a Low-Cost Disaster Kit (FCS9313/FY1284)

    March 16th, 2012
    Topic(s):Disaster Prep & Recovery, House & Home

    Emergency kitBeing prepared can increase your speed of recovery from severe events such as flooding, drought, tornado, hurricane, winter storms, or even being stranded because of a car problem. According to the Red Cross and FEMA three steps of preparation are: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. While pre-assembled kits are available for purchase, assembling your own can cost less and ensures that the kit includes items that are appropriate to your family’s needs. Remember when planning to include all members of your family including pets. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Elizabeth D. Kiss and Michael S. Gutter, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1284

    Carbon Sequestration and Storage by Gainesville’s Urban Forest (FOR210/FR272)

    March 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Forest Resources, House & Home, Lawn & Garden

    live oak Darien GA (CC BY-NC 3.0) Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.orgCities are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. This fact sheet demonstrates that urban and natural trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change somewhat by sequestering CO2 but can only sequester a small portion of all carbon dioxide emitted from cities. In addition, decomposing trees and mulch, tree maintenance activities, and improperly placed trees that cause shading in winter can also result in emissions of CO2, so it is important for communities to reduce fossil fuel emissions and manage for and preserve large, healthy trees to maximize the amount of CO2 sequestered by an urban forest. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Francisco Escobedo, Jennifer A. Seitz, and Wayne Zipperer, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr272

    Northern Racoon (WEC34/UW033)

    March 2nd, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, House & Home, Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Northern raccoon, Procyon lotor, adult male.Raccoons are found statewide in Florida in ever-increasing numbers. Urbanization and agriculture often help their population because food becomes more available in these conditions. Therefore, it is not at all uncommon to encounter raccoons near your home or neighborhood. Learn more facts about raccoon biology and how to (legally) solve raccoon problems. This 7-page fact sheet was written by William H. Kern Jr., and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw033

    El Mosquito Culex Iolambdis (ENY727S/IN901)

    March 1st, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, House & Home, Lawn & Garden, Spanish Language

    Figure 6. Hembra adulta de C. iolambdis.Culex (melanoconion) iolambdis es un mosquito pequeño de color marrón oscuro que existe en sitios tropicales y subtropicales. En los Estados Unidos, solo se encuentra en el sur de Florida. Se conoce poco sobre la biología y comportamiento de este mosquito. El subgenéro Melanoconion se distingue por el pequeño tamaño de sus especies y por dificultad en diferenciar las diferentes especies. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Jorge R. Rey, Erik M. Blosser, Stephanie K. Larrick and C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in901

    Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals (SL352/SS554)

    December 7th, 2011
    Topic(s):Health & Nutrition, House & Home, Water

    water dropletTrace organic chemicals are potentially harmful to human and ecosystem health. They frequently occur in wastewater from septic systems and can be found in concentrations orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations reported in centralized treatment plant wastewater. This 7-page fact sheet identifies common trace organic chemicals of concern in wastewater and their sources, and summarizes current research on the fate and transport of these chemicals in septic systems. Written by Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011. (photo CC BY-SA 3.0 Mila)
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss554

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