Environment

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Learn about St. Joseph Bay in Port St. Joe June 21

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension faculty are reintroducing their acclaimed “Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!” series on St. Joseph Bay. This ecosystem is home to some of the richest concentrations of flora and fauna on the Northern Gulf Coast. This area supports an amazing diversity of fish, aquatic invertebrates, turtles and other species of the marsh and pine flatwoods. Come learn about the important roles of ecosystem. The seminar will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. – 3...

The seaweed along the shoreline is teeming with life

Beach wrack full of curiosities When walking the beach this summer, pause and ponder the virtues of stranded seaweed. Those scattered clumps along the high-tide line actually have a name – beach wrack – and are a pivotal part of the beach ecosystem. “Many might think sand makes a beach, but it’s the wrack that truly brings a beach to life,” said Blair Witherington, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist who studies beach life. “It sponsors some...

Oyster ecology class in Apalachicola April 10

Learn about the role oysters play in the health of Apalachicola Bay at Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve on Wed., April 20, 2024 at 10 a.m. Discover what makes the bay so ideal for growing oysters, what gives Apalachicola oysters their distinct flavor, and how oyster bars benefit the ecosystem. We will also look at what possibly made the oysters collapse and what is being done to restore them to Apalachicola Bay. After spending some time in the classroom, participants...

Tips to safely co-exist with alligators

As the weather gets warmer across the Sunshine State, alligators are becoming more active and visible. The American alligator is a conservation success story in Florida. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. Alligators are found in all 67 counties, inhabiting all wetlands where there’s adequate food and shelter.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) works to keep Floridians and visitors informed and recommends the following precautionary measures...

Haz-mat collection day in north and south Walton March 2

Walton County Haz-Mat Collection Day will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Walton County Solid Waste offers our citizens an environmentally safe way to dispose of hazardous household waste at no charge. · Walton County Landfill – 1118 Institution Road, DeFuniak Springs · Topsail Hill Preserve State Park – 7525 Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach Pesticides, Used Oil, Stale Gasoline, Solvents, Fertilizers, Paint/Thinners/Strippers, Batteries, Furniture Polish, Brake Fluid, Engine Degreaser, Anti-freeze, Pool Chemicals, Insecticides,...

Plant a pine for your valentine at a Florida State Park

Roses, chocolates and greeting cards are great, but The Florida State Parks Foundation thinks the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to Plant a Pine for your Valentine! For just $1, you can plant a native longleaf pine in a Florida State Park and help them  reach their goal of planting 100,000 longleaf pines by Earth Day 2024. We love Florida’s native longleaf pines, the ecosytems they support and the habitats they create for our precious wildlife. You can even dedicate...

Artificial reef and lionfish workshops in Fort Walton Beach Feb. 7 – 8

Florida Sea Grant is hosting artificial reef and lionfish workshops on Wed. Feb. 7 and Thurs. Feb 8, 2024 at the Destin- Ft. Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. The workshops will be held from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The meetings will bring together managers, scientists, anglers and divers and others to discuss new research, statewide initiatives, and regional updates across Florida’s Northwest region. The Artificial Reef Workshop will take place on Wednesday, February 7 followed by the Lionfish...