Beaches

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Walton County Health Department issues advisories for three beach accesses

Advisories issued for the Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, and Eastern Lake beach access August 1, 2013 – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. ...

Find any public beach access on the Florida Pocket Ranger phone app

State park information along with location and amenities to every public beach access TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service has updated its Pocket Ranger app for smartphones to include every public beach access point in Florida, in addition to information about its 171 state parks, and trails. Those who have downloaded Pocket Ranger for state park information now have access to locations and amenities about every public beach access point in Florida. More than 2,000 public coastal access...

Star gazing by the shore at Henderson Beach State Park Aug. 9

Time: 5:30 – 10 p.m. Henderson Beach State Park will host a star gazing program.  Volunteers from the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing of star clusters, planets, and galaxies and answer questions about the night sky. Also, prior to sunset, their telescopes will be equipped for safe viewing of the sun.  All ages are invited to enjoy an evening of star gazing.  The park will close at sunset.  All those attending the star...

Walton County Health Department issues advisory for Grayton Beach

As of July 11, 2013 – Advisory issued for Grayton Beach Access The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is...

Help imperiled bird species survive along our beaches

Be mindful and respect wildlife this coming holiday weekend and every day By Jeff Talbert, Park Services Specialist Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Each year on our beaches, imperiled animals come to nest. Many visitors and residents are aware of our nesting sea turtles and even our endangered beach mice. However, most aren’t aware of our nesting shorebirds. Each year Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County beaches play host to a variety of nesting shorebirds including snowy plovers and least terns....

Audubon seeks volunteer shorebird stewards

You can help beach birds nest in peace Did you know beach-nesting birds like Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns lay their eggs on top of the sand and raise their young on our local beaches? To help Florida’s beach-nesting birds nest safely and successfully, Audubon and their partners post signs and twine around their nesting areas. For added protection, volunteers chaperon these posted areas on busy warm-weather weekends to educate beach-goers about the birds and the...