Environment

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Health advisory issued for Dune Allen and Blue Mountain Beach

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 from storm water...

Second rabies alert issued for Freeport area

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) issued a rabies alert for the Freeport area. This is in response to a fox that tested positive on May 31, 2018.  A second fox has tested positive on June 12, 2018. According to FWC reports, three golfers were bitten and treated at an area hospital. All residents and visitors in Walton County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if...

Florida Forest Service announces Longleaf Pine program for landowners

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, announced today that the Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program is now accepting applications from eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners. The application period is open Monday, June 4, through Friday, July 13, 2018. The goal of the program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest landowners make the long-term investment required to establish and maintain this...

Health Department in Walton County issues rabies alert for Freeport area

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) issued a rabies alert for the Freeport area. This is in response to a fox that tested positive on May 31, 2018. All residents and visitors in Walton County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Walton County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness...

Living bear wise program at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park June 15

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Friday, June 15, 2018 from 10 – 11:00 a.m. Come learn about the Florida Black Bear and how to “Live Bear Wise.” This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park. Future dates and topics are “Prescribed Fires and the Forest” by Florida Forest Service on July 20, “Native...

Sea turtle season in South Walton runs May 1 – October 31

South Walton Turtle Watch watches over our nesting sea turtles According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth, and have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years. However, they face an uncertain future. Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution (physical and light) are only some of the issues sea turtles face as the beautiful creatures struggle to stay alive. Each year from May – October, there are four species of Florida...

Learn about the history of turpentine at Eden Gardens State Park April 28

Eden Gardens State Park invites you and your family to step into the past and discover turpentine with a Ranger dressed in period attire. Discover the techniques, processes and uses of a sticky resin that helped shape Florida’s history and has had a lasting effect on Florida’s economy, environment and culture. The program will be held on the Mansion’s lawn down by the stage near the bayou. The event will be on Saturday, April 28 from 10 – 11 a.m. Directions...