Environment

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FWC invites the public to attend workshop on Juniper Lake management plan Aug. 29

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a workshop regarding the management of Juniper Lake in Walton County. The FWC is planning a drawdown of Juniper Lake to reduce the amount of aquatic vegetation (lemon bacopa) within the lake. The drawdown will occur between October 2019 and January 2020. The workshop will be Thursday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 361 North 10th Street in DeFuniak Springs. FWC staff in the...

Health advisory issued for Blue Mountain Beach

Walton County – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) 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 an indication of fecal pollution, which may come...

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

Health advisory rescinded Aug. 14 Walton County – A health advisory is issued on August 8, 2019 for Morrison Springs.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...

Learn about snakes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 16

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Long Leaf Alliance on August 16, 2019 from 10 – 11 a.m. and learn about the snakes that call the park, Eglin Air Force Base and the Florida Panhandle home. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park on the third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. in the clubhouse. This program is free. Entry into the park is free...

Health advisories issued for Inlet and Blue Mountain beach

Walton County – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) 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 an indication of fecal pollution, which may come...

Children’s book looks at the environment through the eyes of a catfish

If you are looking for an enjoyable read this summer, explore it through the eyes of a poetic catfish. Calvin The Catfish, written by local poet Calvin “Catfish” Carson, explores environmental awareness in verse. Carson was inspired to write the book after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and other human induced contaminations. In 2018, the book was finally published. “I’ve always been environmentally conscious,” said Carson. Growing up the Mississippi River Delta, Carson always enjoyed the outdoors fishing, hunting, camping,...

FWC approves new rule to stop illegal trapping of Florida’s songbirds

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today approved a rule to help protect Florida’s native songbirds from illegal capture. The new rule within Chapter 68A-16, F.A.C. (Rules Relating to Birds) includes regulations regarding the use, placement and possession of bird traps, and will go into effect later this year. Background: The illegal trapping of native birds has long been a concern in the state, particularly in south Florida where trapping is believed to be widespread. Birds are lost...

Florida Caverns State Park now open following impacts of Hurricane Michael

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service has announced the reopening of Florida Caverns State Park following the impacts of Hurricane Michael. The park, which experienced significant damage from Hurricane Michael, is now open for limited day-use. The ranger station, visitor center and cave are open. Guided flashlight tours of the cave will be offered on a limited first-come, first-served basis. The Bluehole camping area, equestrian camping area and primitive camping areas remain closed at this time. “The reopening of Florida...