Florida, the Sunshine State, is almost entirely surrounded by salt water, yet it is home to one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the United States -- the Everglades. To encourage students to learn more about their native plants and animals, these concepts have been included in the elementary state science benchmarks. But it's not just the plants and animals themselves; it's also how they differ from those found in other regions of the U.S., particularly how they deal with seasonal changes, since the seasons in Florida aren't exactly the same as the seasons up north.

While millions of people may temporarily flock to Florida's beaches for vacation, some plant and animals species have decided to make the state their new permanent residence. The invasive melaleuca tree was brought in from Australia to dry up the wet, swampy soil to make more land available for building. Unfortunately, the plants spread and began growing in the Everglades. This caused the soil to become too dry for the native plants to thrive. To curb the negative effect of this invasive plant, the melaleuca is prohibited throughout the entire state and is classified as a noxious weed!

Florida is home to a wide variety of plants and animals that can't be found anywhere else. Encourage your students to learn about them and appreciate the natural diversity found in their own backyards.