Natural Resources

Osceola County's natural resources include our beautiful lakes and diversity of natural ecosystems. UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension Office provides educational programming to help businesses, residents and visitors become aware of the many issues which impact our natural world and our quality of life. Some of the activities we are coordinating include:

• Conduct  Woods Walks, interpretive walks in natural areas, to teach participants about environmental issues and promote wellness.

• Teach classes for citizens to help them implement measures to Save Money on Electric Bills, in support of the Osceola Energy Initiative, funded by federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds.

• Teach natural resources and green building seminars and group meetings on a variety of environmental topics to help move participants from awareness to action.

• Teach Florida Master Naturalist Freshwater Wetlands and Upland Ecosystems modules to help participants understand local ecosystems and environmental issues.

• Teach local governments interested in pursuing green building certifications such as Florida Green Building Coalition's Green Government Certification Program.

• Offer continuing education sessions through University of Florida's Program for Resource Efficient Communities to teach building professionals about energy conservation, green building certifications and construction practices.

• Volunteers are recruited and trained to assist with teaching the public how our community can continue to grow with less impact on the environment.

• Assist businesses and organizations involved in eco/heritage tourism in protecting our natural, cultural and historic resources through education of their customers and patrons.

• Provide information to teachers to help them integrate environmental science into their classroom lessons.

• Teach activities that help 4-H adults and youth develop life skills and increase knowledge related to natural resources subject areas including shooting sports, marine ecology, forestry, wildlife, ecosystems and geospatial technology, and other projects related to the natural world and the environment.

New Manual- Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida- 2012

By Craig Miller, James Sullivan, Sherry Ahrentzen
Published by the University of Florida
An overview of key building features that affect building performance.  Where appropriate, provisions of the Florida Energy Conservation Code are included. The book is a collaborative effort between the Program for Resource Efficient Communities, Shimberg Center for Housing, and M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction. This handbook is designed to provide up to date information for building energy efficient homes in Florida's hot humid climate. The new 7th edition reflects the 2010 Florida Building Code, which became the current code on March 15, 2012.

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Disaster Preparedness for Families

Although a majority (55%) of Americans report that they have thought some (38%) or a great deal (17%) about preparing for a natural disaster, only 36 percent have a disaster emergency plan that all members of their family know about and an emergency supply kit in their home (37%). more...

Neighborhood Stormwater Ponds

Your stormwater pond has been designed and constructed to meet specific criteria to ensure that if functions properly.  Learn about:

• Biology and Control of Aquatic Plants
• Plants for Lakefront Revegetation
• Best Management Practices Manual
• Stormwater Ponds: A Citizen's Guide<
• Living with Stormwater Ponds
• 2011 Stormwater Pond Contacts
• 2011 Additional Know the Flow Resources
• 2011 Licensed Aquatic Herbicide Applicators

Recycling Discarded Fishing Line

Osceola County 4-H Council has identified discarded fishing line as a hazard for boaters and anglers. When the line is left in the water, it gets tangled in boat propellers resulting in expensive repair costs and days off the water...More

Home, Sweet (Bug-Free and Energy-Efficient) Home

Find out if termites are eating you out of house and home (and learn what to do if they are!) with Termites in Florida--A Guide for Homeowners and Building Professionals...More

Master Wildlifer

Background: Master Wildlifer is a satellite broadcast, Clemson University Extension short course for landowners and land managers across the southeast who are interested in integrating wildlife considerations into their current land use...More

Other Natural Resources Links

• Back to Environment