Best Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan Podcasts (2024)

1
Pentastomes in Paradise: Invasive Parasite Plaguing Florida’s Snakes 18:26

2d ago18:26

18:26

Snakes play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping rodent populations in check and supplying birds of prey with an excellent food source. But our snakes are facing a new threat, an invasive parasite, Raillietiella orientalis from Asia and Africa. This worm-like crustacean, believed to have come over with the invasive Burmese Python, is infectin…

1
A Frond-ly Discussion About Saw Palmetto 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an iconic plant of Florida, often dominating the understory of pine flatwoods habitats. Not only is saw palmetto endemic to Florida and the southeastern U.S., but it has also been referred to as a keystone species! A plant as a keystone species? YES! Keystone Species - a species on which other species in an ecosyste…

1
Surviving the Squeeze: The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit 26:17

2M ago26:17

26:17

The marsh rabbit is a medium-sized rabbit with short, rounded ears, and small feet. It is similar in appearance to the more familiar eastern cottontail rabbit but without the white color of their tail. The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States from southeast Virginia (in the Dismal Swamp), along the east coast to eastern Alabama, …

1
PART 2: Mosquito Season is Coming! 20:56

3M ago20:56

20:56

In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects. Learn More: UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publi…

1
PART 1: Mosquito Season is Coming! 21:38

3M ago21:38

21:38

In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects. Learn More: UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publi…

1
Florida's Pink Birds 25:48

4M ago25:48

25:48

Today's episode is all about Florida's pink birds, including the iconic roseate spoonbill and American flamingo. Learn More: Read the NPR article we discussed about Hurricane Idalia and Flamingo sightings. View iNaturalist observations of Flamingos since 2020 How to Help: Don't feed water birds: Read why, here. Respect wildlife - view from a distan…

1
Scent-sational Skunks of Florida 21:09

5M ago21:09

21:09

In this episode, we explore the two species of skunks found in Florida. A mammal that is so unique, it recently divided from a subfamily of the weasel to become its own family, a stinky one! There is a lot to learn about these mysterious creatures. We will explore the species of life history of Florida’s skunks, where you can find them, some fun sk…

1
Florida's Venomous Snakes 23:52

6M ago23:52

23:52

How do you feel about snakes? Not a fan? Well, while we believe snakes are friends, not foes, we recognize it may be comforting to know that the vast majority of snakes in Florida are non-venomous and largely cannot hurt you or your family. On today's episode, we go on a deep dive about Florida's venomous snakes. Learn more: Read about identifying …

1
Florida's Floating Sea-Potatoes ... the Manatee! 20:05

7M ago20:05

20:05

Manatees are Florida’s gentle giants and are a sight to behold. They are state and federally protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 according to FWC. These gentle giants are Florida’s true natives, and we need to be respectful of these creat…

1
Florida Black Bears 24:32

8M ago24:32

24:32

Florida black bears have been in the news, frequently, this year! On today's episode, we chat about the Florida black bear's diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears. Learn More: Living with the Florida black bear - https://www.myfwc.com/bear⁠ Where are the large bear populations? - https://myfwc.co…

1
Bloom, there it goes! 24:21

9M ago24:21

24:21

THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life? The survey is now closed, but we look forward to hearing from you again next fall! If you have comments or topics for next season, submit them at ⁠www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com⁠ If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal …

1
PodBLAST - The Impact of Fireworks 17:49

10M ago17:49

17:49

THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life? The survey is now closed, but we look forward to hearing from you again next fall! If you have comments or topics for next season, submit them at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com Although fireworks are a staple for celebrations around the world, the explosives …

1
Sounds of Summer - Calling Frogs 24:22

11M ago24:22

24:22

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the sounds of summer. This episode’s focus is all about commonly heard frogs in Florida. We have 33 species of frog in the state. More often heard than seen, this episode features six frog species, including some basic physical and audio identification information, habitats, what you can do to help, a…

1
Ticks and Tickborne Illness in Florida 21:59

1y ago21:59

21:59

The creepiest, crawliest, grossest of arachnids, in our opinion, are ticks. And no, we don't feel bad calling them gross! Tick-borne illnesses can wreak havoc on people's lives and there is still so much we don't know about them. On today's episode, learn what we DO know about ticks in Florida, the diseases they may carry, and what to do to protect…

1
Sounds of Summer - Singing Insects 19:13

1y ago19:13

19:13

What comes to mind when you think of summer? Hot. Beaches. No school. What about singing insects? No? Perhaps not, but we’re sure you’ve heard the sounds of summer. Nobody sounds the alarm for summer weather like our native cicadas. Find out about them and more in today’s episode. Learn more: Common Grasshoppers in Florida -  https://edis.ifas.ufl.…

1
Three Common Snakes in Residential Areas 17:06

1y ago17:06

17:06

On today’s episode, you’ll learn about three non-venomous snake species common to residential areas in Florida. Slithering into a neighborhood near you, these common snake species are found all over Florida. Learn More: Red Cornsnake: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/red-cornsnake/ Black Racer: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.…

1
When You Think of Pines, I Hope You Think of Pinecones 22:51

1+ y ago22:51

22:51

We have all probably interacted with pine cones in some way, whether we collected them to start a bon fire, rolled them in peanut butter to create a bird feeder, or avoided them during pollen season. Pine trees produce pine cones, a unique seed with a fascinating science and ecological importance for Florida’s ecosystems. Learn more: Common Pines o…

1
The Truth About Iconic Florida 18:59

1+ y ago18:59

18:59

When people think of Florida and visiting the sights, what do they think of? For most people, it’s some combination of alligators, flamingos, manatees, and sea turtles with a sprinkling of Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, and the beaches. This episode explores the truth about iconic Florida. Learn more: American Flamingo - https://myfwc.com/wild…

1
Creating Wildlife Havens 22:30

1+ y ago22:30

22:30

You’ve probably heard that habitat destruction is a common cause of population declines for many wildlife species. It’s critical for us to do what we can in our yards, neighborhoods and communities to help support wildlife by providing food, water, shelter and space. In this episode, we discuss ten tips you can consider implementing where you have …

1
Winter in the Sunshine State 21:25

1+ y ago21:25

21:25

People don’t often think of Florida when they think of winter, but there is actually a lot that happens in the natural world. There are migrations happening, leaves falling, and much more! In this episode, we will explore the exciting world of winter in Florida.Learn more: Science of Fall Colors - Science of Fall Colors | US Forest Service (usda.go…

1
Naturally Florida Trailer 0:47

1+ y ago0:47

0:47

Welcome to Naturally Florida, a podcast about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here. Submit comments and topic suggestions to our website, www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com This podcast is brought to you by UF/IFAS Extension, an Equal Opportunity Institution.

1
End of the Year Q&A 17:55

1+ y ago17:55

17:55

In this episode of Naturally Florida, Shannon answers a few Listener questions! She'll tackle a light-hearted Florida Christmas classic, "Why do iguanas fall out of trees when it gets cold?" as well as shed some light about "good or bad" species like queen palms and Carolina laurel cherry, and finally, wrap up with a South Florida conundrum, "What …

1
Highlighting a Keystone Species: The Gopher Tortoise 25:43

1+ y ago25:43

25:43

The gopher tortoise is not only a keystone species, but also an endemic species, making it special and important to the overall function of the ecosystems where it is found. In this episode we will explore the life of the gopher tortoise including some basic identification information, population status, biology, and things you can to do help popul…

1
It's Spooky Season, Let's Chat About Bats 21:36

2y ago21:36

21:36

Mummies, Ghosts, and Goblins – oh my! This spooky season, we're chatting about Florida’s bats! Thirteen species of bats call Florida home, yearround, and several more migrate in from the north or south at certain times of year. These amazing flying mammals, the only mammal with true flight, provide highly valuable pest management services for Flori…

1
All About Lightning 21:17

2y ago21:17

21:17

The state of Florida is famous for its sunshine, beaches, and summertime fun. However, as Floridians, we know that summer also means thunderstorms, and thunder doesn’t happen without lightning. In this episode, we will explore the basic science of lightning and thunder, and how you can keep yourself safe this summer. We hope this brief introduction…

1
All About Owls 22:18

2y ago22:18

22:18

In our last episode, we discussed how rodenticides, also known as rat poisons, can have a negative impact on our birds of prey. Today, we’ll be talking about Florida’s five resident owl species and how to identify them by the calls they make. These owls are valuable predators in our local ecosystems, both rural and urban, and can be easily identifi…

1
Rat Poisons and Wildlife: What’s the Big Deal 19:02

2y ago19:02

19:02

Nobody likes pests, hence why pesticides were invented. Rodenticides are a specific type of pesticide used to control rats and mice, but they can have impacts throughout the food chain if not used correctly. In this episode, we will explore the science behind rodenticides, the impact of rodenticides, and of course, best management practices when it…

1
Microplastic Pollution ... What Is It? 20:09

2y ago20:09

20:09

Plastic pollution has been a known problem for decades, but more recently researchers have been focusing on this idea of microplastics, that is plastic particles about 5mm in size or smaller. Where do microplastics come from? What are the threats? And what can we do? Find out in this episode. Learn more: What are microplastics? https://oceanservice…

1
Toads as Big as Your Head! Cane Toads in Florida 20:45

2y ago20:45

20:45

Cane toads are well known for posing a threat to our pets. They are one of many invasive animal species we have here in Florida. In this episode you will learn all about this invasive toad species, how it became established in Florida, impacts of its presence, and ways you can help. Learn more: Florida’s Frogs & Toads – Cane Toad - https://ufwildli…

1
Coyotes are here to stay! 21:53

2+ y ago21:53

21:53

Coyotes have been in Florida since the 1970s but still feel like a relatively new species for many. In this episode, Shannon and Lara explore the latest research, facts, findings, and realities of living with coyotes. Learn more: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Species Profile Page for coyotes - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/…

1
Special Interview with Dr. Scott Angle, UF Sr. Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources 19:06

2+ y ago19:06

19:06

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. Join Lara and Shannon as they interview Dr. J. Scott Angle, UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and l…

1
Words Matter: When and How to Use the Words Invasive Species 21:52

2+ y ago21:52

21:52

Florida is a hotspot for nonnative and invasive species, but there hasn't been a consistent way to talk about these species until now. In this episode, we explore the various words biologists, park rangers, the public, and news media use to describe nonnative and invasive species. We will define and explain invasive species vocabulary and clarify w…

1
Is It Getting Hotter in Our Cities? It's the Urban Heat Island Effect! 18:59

2+ y ago18:59

18:59

Florida is known for being hot in the summer, but Florida cities are even hotter. Energy from the sun gets absorbed by buildings and paved areas (like roads) which makes the whole urban area significantly hotter than natural areas. This is a phenomenon known as an urban heat island. Today we are going to explore urban heat islands and their associa…

1
American White Pelicans, Florida's Other Snowbird 23:11

2+ y ago23:11

23:11

American white pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America with wingspans up to 9.5 feet across. These majestic birds migrate to Florida for winter feeding grounds, before retreating north and west for the breeding season. Floridians may see these snowy white cousins of the year-round resident brown pelican, feeding in shallow water or s…

1
Florida on Fire: Prescribed Fire in the Sunshine State 19:17

2+ y ago19:17

19:17

In this episode, we explore fire in Florida, what ecosystems burn and why, the history and current state of fire in Florida, and some neat adaptations found in plants and animals of fire-depended ecosystems. Learn more: Fire and Habitat - https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/archive/hot_topics/environment/fire_habitat.shtml Effects of Fire on Florida’s Wildli…

1
Birds and Their Houses: Cavity Nesters in Florida 20:09

2+ y ago20:09

20:09

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping insect populations in-check, serving as a valuable prey item for our larger mammals, and helping to disperse seeds! Just like people, birds need food, water and shelter to survive. In this episode, we will explore a special type of bird called cavity n…

1
(Part 2) Florida's Most Recognizable Reptile: the American Alligator 17:28

3y ago17:28

17:28

This episode is the second half of our discussion on the American alligator. This episode will focus on busting common myths and highlighting key ways we can learn to coexist with this critically important species. Learn more: Watch an 8ft+ alligator climb a 6ft fence: https://youtu.be/z7DMjQJD7vM (ABC Channel 6, WATE) Living with Alligators: a Flo…

1
(Part 1) Florida's Most Recognizable Reptile: the American Alligator 15:25

3y ago15:25

15:25

Florida is known for having alligators, a fact that brings fear to many visitors and residents. But, alligators are an important species in many of our ecosystems. While we continue to develop the State, our chances of encountering an alligator increase, but there are many ways we can learn to coexist with them. This episode is the first episode in…

1
Trees and People: An intro to urban forestry 20:01

3y ago20:01

20:01

Florida is known for a wide variety of ecosystems from the Everglades to its springs, and the beaches to the national forests. While these ecosystems are a major driver for tourism here in the state, Florida is rapidly developing with most of the population now living in urban areas. In this episode, we will explore the value and importance of an e…

1
Cuban Treefrogs, they're more than just a nuisance! 21:56

3y ago21:56

21:56

Cuban treefrogs are an invasive species in Florida. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify a Cuban treefrogs and how to humanely euthanize them. By choosing to remove Cuban treefrogs from your yard or neighborhood, you're helping protect local native treefrogs, like the green treefrog and the squirrel treefrog. Learn more: Dr. Steve Johnson'…

1
Wait, we have fireflies in Florida? 17:51

3y ago17:51

17:51

Fireflies are indeed in Florida; you just have to know where to find them. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, avoid areas with high volumes of artificial lights and lots of urban development. In this episode of Naturally Florida, we’ll be discussing the lifecycle and conservation of fireflies in Florida. Learn more: Where to find fireflies in…

1
Where does rain go after it falls? 21:12

3y ago21:12

21:12

Florida gets a lot of rain, but our natural water cycle is shifting more towards an urban water cycle as we develop the Sunshine State. In this episode of Naturally Florida, we'll be chatting about the impacts of development on the water cycle with a focus on stormwater and its impact on the watershed. Learn more: Stormwater Runoff - https://www.sw…

1
Lara's Favorite Species: The Green Anole 17:51

3y ago17:51

17:51

Florida's native green anole (pronounced "uh-nole"), Anolis carolinensis, is Lara's favorite species in all of Florida! In this episode of Naturally Florida, we'll be chatting about what makes the green anole so special and about their nonnative look-alike, the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). Learn more: Cuban Brown Anole or Green Anole (video): https…

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Shannon Carnevale And Lara Milligan Podcasts

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