Meet our furry, four-legged friend, Linus.

Linus

Lassie might have been able to help pull Timmy out of the well, but Linus is a new breed of protective dogs. As a Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) agricultural detector dog, Linus promotes national security by keeping illegal agricultural organisms and products out of the country. Linus and his canine counterparts work at airports to sniff out potential invasive species before they have the chance to become established in Florida, ultimately protecting Florida’s environment and thriving agriculture industry.

DPI partnered with the DHS/CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a public service announcement and signage that features Linus as the main character to spread the message of the dangers of packing a pest while traveling. Linus will be featured on billboards, and the video and signage will be placed in the Miami International Airport as the first phase of this important outreach program.

Before we introduce you to Linus, we want to hear about your favorite family pet! Do you have a dog that rivals Lassie or holds a special place as a four-legged family member? Perhaps you have a dog that performs an important job like Linus. Click here to visit our Facebook page and let us know about your pup, and we’ll enter you in a drawing to win a “Don’t Pack a Pest” luggage tag, so you can keep Florida safe no matter where you go!

Keep national security in mind this Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who selflessly serve the United States through the nation’s military and service professions. It is also a time to reflect on our nation’s history and the efforts of others to ensure national security for all Americans. For some, Memorial Day is even a time to fellowship with friends and family and ring in the coming summer months.

Not every citizen can or will serve in the military or other public service profession, but every American can contribute to national security by staying aware of his or her impact on the environment. Invasive plant and apiary pests and diseases threaten our food supply and green spaces every day, and agencies like USDA and FDACS work together to protect our nation from those pests and diseases.

Here are a few tips from DPI to keep in mind during this weekend:

• Help stop the spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt by purchasing local firewood and burning it all on site. Unprocessed wood like firewood can harbor harmful pests and diseases that affect our state’s forests, landscape plants and agricultural trees. It attacks avocado trees and no one wants to do without guacamole – remember to Save the Guac!
• If you are in the Pompano Beach Medfly quarantine area, do not move fruit in or out of the area. By minimizing the movement of fruit or host plants (especially the fresh crop of mangos), you can help stop the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Stop by DPI’s website to learn more about protecting Florida’s environment and agriculture industry from harmful plant pests and diseases. We hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all of the military and service men and women who serve to keep our country safe!

Help save threatened and endangered plants in honor of Endangered Species Day!

This week has been full of environmental holidays, from Plant Conservation Day on Wednesday, to tomorrow’s celebration of Endangered Species Day, and the upcoming International Day for Biological Diversity on Sunday. These celebrations are a reminder of the importance of our environment and the relationship we have with the world around us. For most people, animals might come to mind when thinking about endangered species, but there is quite a variety of endangered species that just so happen to be plants.

Florida’s subtropical climate allows it to serve as a home to a diverse array of plants, but many species are listed as threatened or endangered. Florida’s Division of Forestry maintains a federal list of threatened and endangered plants on their website, and other lists of threatened and endangered plants in Florida can be obtained from organization websites such as from the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden website. In addition to official lists of plant species, some native Florida habitats have reached a level of concern, such as Florida scrub and mangrove forests. These ecosystems support many species of plants and animals that are dependent upon those unique habitats for survival.

At DPI, we value Florida’s green space and understand the importance of biological diversity and plant protection. From maintaining the state’s citrus germplasm and budwood facilities to ensure clean, safe rootstock to surveying for invasive weeds to protect natural areas, DPI works to create a healthy balance between the plant and apiary industries and the environment. Learn more about DPI and Endangered Species Day, and you can get involved to make sure our plants stay off of threatened and endangered species lists.

Sweet Shoot

Just a short drive north of DPI’s headquarter office in Gainesville takes you into a rural area of Alachua County where a turn right from the highway opens up into a field full of blackberries and honey bees.

This location is one of many throughout the state that DPI uses to carry out its mission to protect Florida’s plant and apiary industries.  The bee boxes that make up the apiaries there are used for research, and sometimes for other purposes, such as for filming. DPI’s communications staff regularly develops videos related to the division’s programs for the public, scientific and industry audiences. Today’s shoot was arranged to produce a video for DPI’s apiary inspection.

Honey bees not only produce the sweet stuff that gives the insect its name, but also pollinate a third of the foods we eat. Honey bees are a foundational component to a healthy agriculture industry and environment, but must be protected from pests and diseases in order to thrive.

Check out the Flickr album from today’s video shoot, and visit DPI’s website to learn more about the importance of the honey bee.

Can you imagine a world without plants? We can’t. Join in celebrating Plant Conservation Day!

The important role plants play in stabilizing and regulating the environment is no secret. Plants help keep the world’s climate temperate, purify water, and prevent soil erosion. Plants not only provide aesthetics, but also the basis for human survival as food, shelter, medicine, clothing and even fuel. Plants contribute to biodiversity and sustainability. Plants also serve as a large component of Florida’s economy as part of the agriculture industry from fruit production to horticultural services.

You can make a difference in conserving plants by getting involved with Plant Conservation Day, which is celebrated on May 18. Check out the ideas and resources from the Plant Conservation website. From taking a plant tour to simply talking about the issues facing plants, you can contribute to the cause. Have ideas? Let us know on Twitter. DPI’s Twitter handle is @FL_DPI.

Hold the mangos, please.

After spending the spring battling the Mediterranean fruit fly in Pompano Beach, DPI is looking forward to only having one more month left in this eradication cycle, pending no new fly finds. There were three core areas around Medfly finds in Pompano, and one of the core area eradication cycles ended on May 4. The two other core areas are scheduled to end on June 16 and June 18. Things are looking up for the eradication program, but mangos coming into season could throw a kink in eradication plans. You can help prevent prolonging eradication completion by following DPI guidelines for moving host plants and fruit.

Mangos are a known host for Medfly and are in production in the Pompano Beach area. Also, many homeowners near the Medfly find core areas have backyard mango trees. While shipping tasty, homegrown Florida mangos to friends and relatives in other parts of the state and country might seem like a nice thing to do, it could be detrimental to eradication efforts.

If you are in the Medfly quarantine area, it is illegal to move fruit, vegetables or nuts within or outside of the quarantine area. Moving fruit risks the spread of Medfly. We ask that you do not move fresh fruit from your property, as even delicious-looking fruit could be full of Medfly maggots which quickly hatch into adult flies. Also, please pick up any fallen or extra fruit. When you dispose of fruit, tie it in a plastic bag and put it out with household trash, not yard waste. Don’t just follow these instructions yourself; tell your friends and family, too! Everyone’s cooperation is needed to successfully eradicate the Medfly.

If you are located in the Medfly quarantine area, you’ll probably come across this poster. If you have any questions, please visit the DPI website or call the division’s toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517. For background information, check out our related blog posts.

Power to the plant people!

The purpose the Division of Plant Industry is to detect, intercept and control plant and honey bee pests that threaten Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources.  DPI is able to carry out its purpose because of the dedicated individuals who work each day to support the division’s mission. DPI doesn’t exist as a government agency that simply regulates and industry. DPI functions as a dynamic community of scientists, communicators, administrators, inspectors and supporters who work together to protect Florida’s environment and agriculture industry.

Last week, DPI hosted its annual Spring Awards Luncheon at the Gainesville headquarter office, with subsequent luncheons at branch office locations. This awards function is an opportunity to recognize individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve Floridians. It’s a good thing DPI hosted its Gainesville awards luncheon along with a Cinco de Mayo feast because it wasn’t a short ceremony. There were several hundred award winners. Going above and beyond normal job duties to serve Florida’s environment, agriculture industry and citizens is part of DPI’s work culture. Working at DPI isn’t just about the job; it’s about making a difference.

From our helpline operators who spend their days answering complex questions from consumers about anything from fruit shipment regulations to hibiscus pests, to our scientists who research impactful diseases, pathogens and organisms to keep the agriculture industry and environment healthy, to our personnel staff and training officers who keep our organization operating at its full potential, DPI employees contribute to Florida’s greater good on a daily basis. DPI is a place where people work to serve people. We’re here to serve you.

Whether you need a plant identified or house plants certified for movement across state lines, or whether you’re a citrus grower concerned with the health of your crop or a beekeeper looking for further training, you can contact DPI and talk to a person who cares about your questions, concerns and needs.

DPI Contact Info:
Website: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/
Physical Address: 1911 SW 34^th St., Gainesville, FL  32608
Toll-free Helpline: 888-397-1517

You can also click on the icons in the right side bar to connect with us through our social media platforms.

The HEAT isn’t the only thing from Miami with the potential to be the next Beast of the East

The HEAT’s performance during this NBA season has attracted attention to the team’s home city of Miami like D-Wade attracted Celtics defenders during the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Miami consistently attracts the attention of DPI, but not for its basketball heroes.

Florida’s subtropical climate and Miami’s status as an international travel hub makes the city and its surrounding areas especially susceptible to invasive plant and apiary pests and diseases. DPI is currently involved with routine trapping programs for Africanized honey bees, Mediterranean fruit flies and other insects. Also, with the redbay ambrosia beetle discovered close to avocado production in Miami-Dade County, laurel wilt surveys are underway there, too. Another pest plaguing the area is Mikania micrantha, an invasive weed found in the Redlands.

Miami might be a metropolitan superpower, but its unique natural resources and green space are especially valuable to the area’s ecosystem and the state and nation’s environmental treasures. You can help keep Miami known as home to the beast of the East because of its basketball, and not because of established invasive species. How can you help? Take a look around DPI’s website to stay informed of important pests and diseases in Florida. If you think you’ve discovered a plant or apiary pest or disease, contact DPI’s helpline at 888-397-1517. DPI works to protect Florida’s environment and agriculture industry from harmful pests and diseases, and ultimately protect you, the consumer. You can help take ownership in the state’s natural resources and leading industry by staying informed.

Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate for a Cause

The fifth of May is a day where people break out their taco shells, queso and guacamole to not only commemorate the Mexican victory over France in 1862, but also to celebrate Mexican pride, heritage and, let’s not forget, food. DPI employees will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo today at our annual Spring Luncheon, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating this holiday, but doing so for a cause.

Laurel wilt is a serious disease that impacts trees of the Laurel family, including redbay, sassafras and avocado. The avocado industry in Florida has a local economic impact of $13 million. This disease is spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle, an invasive insect to Florida’s environment. The redbay ambrosia beetle can be transported, often unknowingly, around the state in unprocessed wood products like firewood.

In order to educate the general public about laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, DPI launched its Save the Guac campaign. Avocados and guacamole are staple dishes during Cinco de Mayo festivities, and we encourage you to keep this campaign in mind while you celebrate. However, your participation with Save the Guac doesn’t have to end with Cinco de Mayo. You can share the message of the Save the Guac campaign by telling your friends and family about the dangers of transporting unprocessed wood products that can harbor invasive insects like the redbay ambrosia beetle. You can watch for signs of laurel wilt on your trees. You can purchase avocado and other host trees from registered nurseries only. Finally, you can purchase firewood locally and burn it all on site.

To learn more about Save the Guac, laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, please visit http://www.SavetheGuac.com. You’ll even have the opportunity check out great guac recipes and sign up to receive a free Save the Guac bumper sticker!

Happy Cinco de Mayo from all of us at DPI! We hope that you join us in celebrating for a cause.

A Tropical Twist on Arbor Day

If you thought planting a tree for Arbor Day was impossible due to having a small yard or no yard at all, think again. No space is too small to add a little bit of green space. Arbor Day can be celebrated in an urban environment thanks to dwarf trees. Ever heard of a condo mango? This variety of mango produces a small-statured tree suitable for container gardens or to serve as a patio plant. Condo mangos have a history in Florida, as the name was coined by Dr. Richard Campbell of Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Coral Gables. By keeping the tree pruned and training it to stay small, condo mango trees can be the perfect addition to a condo balcony or greenhouse. Make sure to purchase your Arbor Day trees and other plants from a Florida certified nursery. For more information, visit http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi or call 888-397-1517.