News Stories - Page 8

The Rivers of Iris exhibit at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) is flourishing, but the technicolor blooms aren’t the only things attracting attention. Stan Gray, volunteer iris curator at CGBG, and Brian Shamblin, an associate research scientist with the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, are growing several mystery irises at the gardens that could prove to be one of two exceptionally rare iris species: Iris rivularis or a variant of Iris hexagona.

Accomplished 4-H youth and the adults who empower them gathered at the 81st Georgia 4-H State Congress in Atlanta July 23-26. The weeklong event for top 4-H’ers features state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action competitions and recognizes youth development professionals and community supporters contributing to the success of 4-H in Georgia. More than 200 youth delegates competed in 50 Project Achievement areas and eight youth delegates competed in the Leadership in Action contest during annual event.

This week, the University of Georgia welcomes 6,175 first-year students from more than 43,000 applicants. It’s one of most academically qualified classes in the university’s history, and the numbers are on target with UGA’s new strategic enrollment plan. These first-year students arrive with an average of 10 Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual-enrollment courses and an average high school GPA of 4.13, marking the eighth consecutive year that the average weighted high school GPA of the incoming class exceeds 4.0.

As students return to school, head lice often become a common concern for administrators and parents. Understanding how to prevent and manage head lice infestations is crucial for maintaining healthy environments in schools and at home. Allison Johnson, the Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator for the University of Georgia, provides essential information and advice to help mitigate the spread of this pesky pest.

Georgia’s capital is home to more than 6 million people, a bustling film and music scene, and one of the most adaptable species in the U.S.: the coyote. And now, thanks to new video footage from the University of Georgia, we’re getting a better idea of how and where coyotes spend their time in Atlanta. In partnership with Wildlife Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, UGA is releasing GPS collar videos from coyotes in the Atlanta area as part of their urban mammal ecology project.

As autumn approaches and the stifling heat of summer begins to cool down, spending more time outdoors may be on your radar. But, as Georgia is home to many stinging and biting insects, fall fun can turn into a minefield of discomfort. Elmer Gray, a research entomologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and specialist for UGA Cooperative Extension, shares information on some of the season's most common culprits, urging residents to stay vigilant and take preventive measures.

Just a short drive from UGA’s downtown campus sits 10 acres of land known as UGArden. Rows of carrots, okra, kale, squash and much more line the fields. An average of 15,000 pounds of produce is grown on the student farm each year, and that food gets distributed to community members in need. But that capacity and those partnerships could soon grow, thanks to a $10,000 Kubota Hometown Proud Grant, which comes with a valuable additional component: a vote competition that could get UGArden an additional $40,000 and one lucky voter a Kubota mower.

You've heard it all: dog mom, cat dad, plant parent. However you identify, if you are working on your green thumb and have pets, you need to know which of your plants could make your dog or cat sick. Young or new pets tend to nibble and taste plants as they explore and become familiar with their environment, but some garden and house plants are toxic. Symptoms may range from a mild upset stomach to a severe toxic response that can lead to death.

Most Americans die without an estate plan, which can create a host of problems for surviving family members. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Fort Valley State Extension are offering a free workshop, “Sustaining the family home and farm through estate planning,” on Aug. 22 to educate Georgia landowners on the benefits of creating an estate plan. Attorney Gracy Barksdale will provide an overview of estate planning, covering topics such as wills, power of attorney and health care directives.

As summer draws to a close, nature enthusiasts, gardeners and residents across the Southeast are gearing up for an exciting citizen science project – the 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Scheduled for Aug. 23-24, this annual event invites participants from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida to join forces in counting pollinators, collecting valuable data that helps researchers, farmers and policymakers understand pollinator populations and their impact on agriculture.