St. Lucie County Master Gardener Volunteers

09/02/2026

Wow, Florida. THANK YOU!

We are still smiling, thinking about the incredible response to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census! Floridians showed up in a big way, counting pollinators, collecting valuable data, and demonstrating just how much our communities care about pollinators and the places they call home.

We have officially started tabulating the data and will continue working through the results over the next month. We hope to share the results with you in mid to late October.

A quick reminder: If you participated but have not yet submitted your count, you still have until September 14 to upload your data at gsepc.org.

From what we are seeing so far, we are beyond impressed by Florida's dedication to pollinator conservation. You are truly rockstar community scientists, and we hope you realize that your participation has made a real contribution to science. Every count matters, and together, those counts are helping us better understand the pollinators in our communities.

August was a whirlwind, but watching Florida come together for pollinators made every minute worth it.

From all of us with the UF/IFAS Great Florida Pollinator Census team, thank you for counting with us, sharing your enthusiasm, and helping save pollinators one count at a time.

We cannot wait to share what you helped discover!

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS | SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

We have a great lineup of educational opportunities coming up here at UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Extension Office! Check out these upcoming classes, workshops and professional training opportunities: ⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇

1️⃣ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional Field Module
Friday, Sept. 11 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-friendly-landscapingtm-certified-professional-field-module-tickets-1991794682513?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

2️⃣ Potential Alternative Fruit Trees in South Florida — ONLINE
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 10 a.m | Online
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/potential-alternative-fruit-trees-in-south-florida-online-tickets-1998217398028?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

3️⃣ Florida Invasives 101
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Kilmer Library Branch, Fort Pierce, FL
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/floridas-invasives-101-tickets-1997447017800?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

4️⃣ Florida Master Naturalist Program: Coastal Systems Course
Oct. 2–Nov. 6 | Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County, FL
Register:🔗 https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs26-14inperson.php

5️⃣ W**d Management Strategies for a Healthy Lawn
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 9–11 a.m. | 8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
**Pest Control CEUs available**
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weed-management-strategies-for-a-healthy-lawn-tickets-1997050022376?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

6️⃣ Limited Ornamental and Turf Exam Prep Review
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
**Pest Control CEUs available**
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/limited-ornamental-and-turf-exam-prep-review-tickets-1997057570954?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=tru

Whether you're interested in gardening, Florida's natural resources, lawn care or professional training, there's something coming up for you. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, and come enjoy some wonderful workshops!!!!🙌

09/01/2026

September is one of the best months to get your Florida garden growing! As temperatures begin to moderate, gardeners across the state can start planting cool-season vegetables, herbs, and colorful flowers.

✅ Plant fall vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, carrots, radishes, beans, and more.

✅ Add fresh herbs to your garden including basil, parsley, chives, oregano, thyme, dill, sage, and cilantro.

✅ Brighten your landscape with flowers such as zinnias, torenia, angelonia, periwinkle, marigolds, milkweed, and tropical sage.

Remember that planting recommendations vary by region, so check the North, Central, and South Florida selections to help your garden thrive.

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/2026/07/22/ghost-snails-are-showing-up-in-florida-gardens/

Ghost snails are spreading across Florida. Learn how to recognize this emerging pest, understand its behavior, and help track its presence in gardens and landscapes.

08/24/2026

It’s time to shine the spotlight on our Volunteer of the Month: Karma Thomson!

Karma has been a UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Master Gardener Volunteer for the past year and a half, bringing her passion for learning, gardening and helping others into our community.

One of her favorite parts of volunteering is sharing knowledge and helping others learn about Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles and sustainable gardening practices. As someone who moved to Florida from the western United States, Karma has also embraced the challenge of learning how to garden in Florida — proving that gardening is always an opportunity to learn something new.

Her advice for anyone thinking about starting a garden or becoming a volunteer?

“Just start. Gardening is a lifelong experiment. Even a failure is a learning opportunity.”

And when she’s not volunteering, Karma is working toward an incredible personal goal: visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks. She has already visited 59 and hopes to complete the list within the next two years!

Karma, thank you for the time, knowledge, energy and enthusiasm you bring to UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County. Our volunteers play an important role in helping us educate, connect with and make a difference throughout our community, and we are grateful to have you as part of our team.

Congratulations, Karma, on being our Volunteer of the Month!

08/22/2026

We had a great time counting pollinators at UF IFAS Extension St. Lucie County and Oxbow Eco Center today. There is still time to get out and count. Help put St. Lucie County on the Pollinator map!

08/21/2026

Our first Great Southeast Pollinator Census event is officially in the books!

This morning, residents joined UF/IFAS . Lucie County Extension staff from the Urban Horticulture Program at Heathcote Botanical Gardens to observe, identify and count the many pollinators that help support our environment. From bees and butterflies to flies, moths and wasps, every observation helps contribute valuable data to this community science initiative.

The good news? There is still time to participate!!!!!!

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 22, for another round of Pollinator Census events:

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library, Fort Pierce
• 10-11 a.m. — UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce
• 12:30-1 p.m. — Oxbow Eco-Center, Port St. Lucie

Whether you're an experienced gardener, nature enthusiast or simply curious about the pollinators in your backyard, participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome.

Help us count, learn and contribute to a better understanding of the pollinators that play such an important role in Florida's ecosystems.

Registration and event information: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/700552781