ST. LUCIE CO., Fla. — The Florida Master Naturalist Learning Series will feature a presentation on good insects and pest insects in the backyard landscape. This presentation will take place on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Savannas Preserve State Park, 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie. Our featured guest speaker will be Kate Rotindo, UF/IFAS Extension St Lucie County Urban Horticulture Extension Agent. The informational evening is presented by the Florida Master Naturalist Program – St. Lucie Chapter, under the facilitation of the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Natural Resources Extension Agent.
Insects can be pests in the landscape, but many of them are also beneficial. Pests can cause physical damage to plants and/or transmit plant diseases. Beneficial insects can be natural enemies of other insects (predators and parasitoids). These insects can help to control pest insect populations. Other beneficial insects are essential in our landscapes for pollination and it is important that we provide alternate food sources such as nectar and pollen for them.
Join us as we learn specific examples of insects commonly found in the landscape and how to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system in our home landscapes.
Rotindo is a Fort Pierce native and is very passionate about Florida’s natural health and the conservation of our local ecosystems. She has a B.S. in Horticulture from Colorado State University and is currently pursuing an M.S. from the University of Florida. Kate previously worked for the USDA for almost 15 years, most of that time as a farm-field research technician, conducting research trials with vegetables, soil health, plant disease and alternatives to fumigants with local growers in Central and South Florida. In January 2017, she was hired as the UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Urban Horticulture Agent. She is committed to best practices in the landscape, water quality, urban farming/gardening, and has really enjoyed teaching and involving fellow community members in learning and implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles and practices.
For more information, please contact the park education office at 772-398-2779, or email floridamasternaturaliststl@gmail.com.
What: Florida Master Naturalist Learning Program
Guest Speaker: Kate Rotindo, UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Urban Horticulture Agent
When: Jan. 31, beginning at 7 p.m.
Where: Savannas Preserve State Park, 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie
Registration: Not Required
Information: Contact: Susan Hamburger, floridamasternaturaliststl@gmail.com / Savannas Preserve State Park, 772-398-2779
–UF/IFAS Extension St Lucie County
St. Lucie, Florida
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