Environment

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Gulf coast lupine blooms along South Walton area beaches

Beautiful blue shrub a welcome sight In the springtime, sand dunes along the beaches in South Walton are dolloped with beautiful blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is a native plant and endemic to Northwest Florida. Lupine habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. This particluar perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one of them. The beautiful blue flowers provide a delicate lavender-like scent. Early settlers to the...

FWC offers tips to help people and pets safely co-exist with alligators 

Warm spring weather means Florida’s state reptile – the American alligator – becomes more active and visible. It’s also a popular time of year for people to enjoy the outdoors with their pets. To help keep people and pets safer when spending time near the water, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is introducing a new graphic outlining important safety tips. “We wanted to produce a tool with easy-to-remember advice that people could easily share with their friends...

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

Walton County – The Health Advisory is issued on January 6, 2021, for Morrison Springs.  The Advisory is issued based on the criteria for fecal indicator bacteria. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended.  Samples taken are above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than 61 Enterococci CFU/100mL, or 235 E....

Local Scout plants 2,000 long leaf pines at Grayton Beach State Park

Santa Rosa Beach resident and Life Scout Clayton Didier, 13, has now completed his final leg of Boy Scout accomplishments, and will be moving on to the highest ranking of Eagle Scout. As a member of Boy Scout Troop 562, Didier just completed his Eagle project, planting 2,000 long leaf pines across 13 acres at Grayton Beach State Park. With the help from more than 80 volunteers, Didier worked Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 planting the pine seedlings within the...