Friday, April 17, 2026

UF/IFAS News: Media alerts, Parkinson's research, Citizen Science Month and much more

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For the week beginning April 13, 2026

TIMELY NEWS

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April is Earth Month, with Earth Day celebrated on April 22. Communities across Florida can take part in local events hosted by UF/IFAS Extension offices or explore practical, science‑based tips on sustainability, gardening, water, wildlife and more through Ask IFAS' helpful resources for residents and visitors alike throughout April and beyond.

 

Recent research, programs, events and more.

We can help you cover and localize news to your area; just use the contact links below or reply to this email.

UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Suwannee Valley will host a free, family-friendly Community Day at the Farm, 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 18, in Live Oak. Meet researchers, tour orchards and fields by trolley and explore innovative agricultural research for families and local growers alike.

 

UF/IFAS experts show how everyday curiosity and snapping photos of birds, plants or insects can fuel real science and conservation. From crowd-sourced apps to community projects, citizen science is helping children and adults learn to see nature differently, generating powerful research data while inspiring environmental stewardship across Florida.

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UF/IFAS researchers launch study of velvet beans as a potential plant-based Parkinson’s disease treatment. In collaboration with UF Health, scientists are also looking at more consumer-friendly plants to potentially boost L-DOPA levels in commonly eaten crops like fava beans and soybeans.

 

Join UF/IFAS researchers, faculty, staff and students on April 17 for a community-focused night of science at UF/IFAS NCBS to learn about innovative research being conducted across Florida’s Nature Coast.  Visitors are encouraged to connect with the next generation of natural resource professionals during this open house event.

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The pathway to a bachelor’s degree is becoming more flexible for Florida students. The University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is expanding its Gator Tracks Transfer Pathway through a partnership with Florida Gateway College, creating more opportunities for associate degree students to seamlessly continue their education at UF.

 

Whether he’s submitting daily bird sightings on a citizen science website without missing a beat or racing the clock during a 24-hour biodiversity blitz, University of Florida scientist Corey Callaghan brings a distinct intensity to both his research and his passion for the natural world. That drive has now earned him national recognition. 

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Have you ever wanted to be a scientist? You still can be – and you can do it today with just your phone or a notepad. With Earth Day just around the corner and April being Citizen Science Month, it’s never been a better time to get involved with collecting data on the natural world around you. 

 

As backyard poultry continues to grow in popularity, UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County is hosting a Beginning Backyard Poultry Workshop on April 30 to help beginners learn how to raise chickens safely and successfully.

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From Around IFAS

News from across the UF/IFAS network.

Bats are an important part of our ecosystem in Florida, as the only major predator of night-flying insects. To ensure bats continue providing natural pest control, all bats in Florida are protected. Bat roosts are provided extra protection during certain times of the year.

 

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center’s (IRREC) Postharvest Technology lab, led by Mark Ritenour, is researching how to reduce decay in strawberries and blueberries and improve their quality during the postharvest process.

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These 4 R’s are an important part of protecting our environment. You should first try to refuse any single use items. Followed by reducing the amount of single use items. You could also get creative and reuse them- Turn your plastic water bottle into a bird feeder or that plastic soda bottle into a hanging planter! Last but not least you may be able to recycle them, giving them a second life.

 

Best of the rest.

Alternative story formats created or supported by UF/IFAS Communications.

This must-read buy is perfect for the classroom and the home! A new UF/IFAS activity book introduces students to agroecology through hands-on learning. Explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable farming in a classroom- and home-friendly resource aligned with Florida standards.

 

What if a cemetery could also be a living classroom, and a place of peace shaped by nature? Through a years-long partnership, the City of Tavares and the UF/IFAS Lake County Extension collaborated to reimagine a local cemetery as Florida’s first cemetery accredited as an arboretum.

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Visual learning: Helping bats helps humans

When left alone in their natural environments, bats pose little risk to human health. Keeping natural habitats available for bats prevents them from coming in close contact with humans and can keep bats safe and humans healthy.

Download >  |  More infographics >  |  Contact >

EN ESPAÑOL: ¡Ayudar a los murciélagos ayuda a los humanos! infográfico. Use este enlace para acceder al contenido > Contacto >

 

Visit the UF/IFAS Newsroom

Find B-roll, photos and more for your coverage needs at ifas.ufl.edu/newsroom.

UF/IFAS Communications

News and Media Relations Team





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