August 25, 2015

Archive

Nature benefits from prescribed practices at Grayton Beach and Deer Lake State Park

Many people wonder why prescribed burning is done in our area State parks. Before there were roads and developments, lightning-set fires frequently swept almost unimpeded across Northwest Florida’s landscape. Over thousands of years, many natural habitats have evolved under the influence of periodic fire – and are dependent on it. Restoration and maintenance of such fire-dependent habitats now requires prescribed burning – the mimicking of lightning fires by carefully introducing fire according to detailed control plans called prescriptions. One of...

Lake Powell clean up September 19

Last year 560,000 volunteers from 91 countries picked up more than 16 million pounds of trash during the 2014 International Coastal Cleanup. In our little corner of the earth, we have a very unique and precious resource. LAKE POWELL was designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway in 1991. It is among the largest of the rare Coastal Dune Lakes which occur in only a few places around the world. The Lake Powell ecosystem is known for it’s beauty and biodiversity, as...

Audubon walk at Conservation Park Sept. 12

The Bay County Audubon will be hosting a bird walk at Conservation Park in Panama City Beach Sept. 12.  The walk will be from 7:30 – 9 a.m. Enjoy a leisurely morning walk around the trails of the Panama City Beach Conservation Park guided by the Bay county Audubon. Binoculars are available for these free events.  Meet at the trail head building by the parking lot. For more information call PCB Parks & recreation Dept. (850) 233-4413. Conservation Park can...

Guided canoe and kayak tour of Campbell Lake Aug. 29

Date/time: Sat., Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m. The Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are leading a canoe and kayak tour of Campbell Lake on Saturday, Aug. 29. The paddle will begin at 8:30 a.m., canoes and kayaks provided, as well as vests, and paddles. Must preregister by calling the park at (850) 267-8330. Cost is $10 donation to the Friends. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459.  ::MAP::...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society September events

September 3: Monthly Meeting and Program One of the finest nature photographers on the Gulf Coast, Jeff Waldorff, will present his exquisite visions of our beaches, birds and general environs at the next monthly meeting of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. His images of Black Skimmers are some of the best in the world, and his nocturnal beachscapes are gorgeously saturated and often ethereal. His slideshow should be of particular interest to anyone learning nature photography. The meeting will be held...

FWC approves 70-day recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a 70-day recreational red snapper season for Gulf state waters at the April 16 meeting in Tallahassee. Red snapper is a popular species that has a strong economic impact for many coastal communities throughout Florida. The 2015 season will start the Saturday before Memorial Day (May 23) and run through July 12, resume for all of Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5-7) and finish with Saturdays and Sundays throughout the rest of...

Explore Cypress Spring on Holmes Creek

Take a short paddle to a cool spring Don’t have all day but interested in finding a great place to cool off? Head up to Vernon and take a short paddle up to Cypress Spring from Culpepper Landing for a refreshing dip in a magnitude 2 spring. The paddle upstream is approximately .75 mile and moderate as the Holmes Creek has a fairly slow current in this area. You will see the spring run’s clear water on the left. Paddle...