Environment

Category

Learn about area state park ecosystems in Santa Rosa Beach Nov. 15

The Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles Volunteer Beach Ambassador (VBA) Team invites you to attend their We Share The Beaches educational series. Their first program for the season will be presented by Jeff Talbert, field biologist at the Atlantic Botanical Garden on assignment at Deer Lake State Park. He will be lecturing on the unique treasures found in the three state parks located in south Walton County: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, and Deer Lake...

Living with Florida black bears program in Santa Rosa Beach Nov. 9

The South Walton Community Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are hosting an informative program on Living with Florida Black Bears. The focus of the program is to educate the public about black bears in South Walton County.  You will also learn about the role of FWC in bear management and response to human-bear conflict, steps that can be taken by homeowners to avoid attracting bears, as well as, some guidelines on what to do if you see...

Audubon Florida’s former executive director Eric Draper now director of Florida State Parks

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein today announced three key appointments to DEP’s leadership team, as part of its continued focus on the protection of Florida’s prized properties through the management of Florida’s world-renowned state park system and land acquisition and conservation. Eric Draper will join the DEP team as the Director of Florida State Parks, effective Nov. 28, and Callie DeHaven will serve as Interim Director of the Division of State Lands effective Nov....

Public workshop on tree protection amendments in Santa Rosa Beach Nov. 2

Walton County will be hosting public workshops to discuss possible amendments to the Land Development Code implementing heritage or landmark tree protection regulations within the Walton Land Development Code. The public is encouraged to attend one or more of these workshops to and to provide input. Your input is important and will help the county ensure that the Land Development Code will continue to serve the needs of all county citizens and continues to protect the environment while also providing...

Health advisory issued for Bayshore Drive area in the Choctawhatchee Bay

DeFuniak Springs, Fla. – Due to a sewage spill, the Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) is issuing a health advisory for the Bayshore Drive and surrounding areas in the Choctawhatchee Bay.  This health advisory is also issued for the unnamed lake off Forest Shore Drive. DOH-Walton advises against any water-related activities at the above location until bacteriological sampling reveals that the area is safe.  Sewage from the spill may have contaminated this area.  Individuals, especially those with...

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park public workshop in Santa Rosa Beach Sept. 21

Date/time: Thursday, Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m. Interested in having input on the future of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? A preliminary public workshop is being held and will serve as a forum for the public to provide input on the future management of the park. The preliminary public workshop will be held September 21, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., with a presentation at 6pm, at South Walton County High School, Media Center, 645 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach,...

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park hosting beach clean up Sept. 16

Date/time: Saturday, Sept. 16, 9:15 – 11 a.m. Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on International Coastal Cleanup Day for a beach cleanup on September 16, 2017 from 9:15 – 11:00 a.m. Help keep the beach safe for the threatened and endangered species that call the beach home by minimizing the impact of marine debris on the beach and in the Gulf. To register as a beach cleanup volunteer please call 850-267-8330 and provide your name, email address, phone number...