Environment

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Wakulla, Jackson Blue, Econfina Blue springs receive restoration funding

Collaboration enables continued momentum for springs restoration< TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced a suite of 40 projects that will receive $50 million from the Fighting for Florida’s Future budget to improve water quality, reduce nutrient loading, recharge water supply and protect habitat in Florida’s iconic spring systems. This includes a state investment of more than $14 million to protect springs in Northwest Florida, including Wakulla, Jackson Blue, Econfina Blue and Horn springsheds. Combined with match funding...

Watch for a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21

On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, a total eclipse will cross the entire United States, coast-to-coast, for the first time since 1918. Weather permitting, the entire continent will have the opportunity to view an eclipse as the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth’s surface. The Walton area will see eclipse at: 1:38 p.m. Viewable: 88.7% Obscuration: 82.7% NASA Television will air a multi-hour show, Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA, with unprecedented live...

Health Advisories have been issued for Eastern Lake and Grayton Beach Access

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...

Beautiful railroad vines help protect South Walton beaches

Beautiful plant strengthens sand dunes Always a pleasant sight along South Walton’s beaches, the beautiful blooming railroad vine is also an important protector of our sand dunes. As with the sea oats, the plant helps to stabilize the dunes by rooting at nodes all along its length, and is often planted for that purpose. Each flower opens only once, in the morning, but keep blooming almost all year long, peaking from May through November. The railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is...

South Walton home to new artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) is currently installing new artificial reefs at several locations in the Gulf of Mexico just offshore South Walton’s beaches. As of June 5, 2017, the marine vessel Maranatha’s crew and SWARA began just off shore in Miramar Beach, and will head east to deploy several more over the next few weeks. Nine near shore fish /dive reef sites (approximately 2/3 nautical mile off the beach ~ 60′ depths) Three offshore fish haven reef sites...

Public meeting on proposed unit management plan amendment for Grayton Beach State Park June 13

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (CT). Presentation at 5:30 p.m. at Northwest Florida State College, South Walton Center, Room 120, 109 Greenway Trail (Off Highway 331 South), Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Presentation of the proposed unit management plan amendment for Grayton Beach...

Audubon Florida’s rooftop coordinator takes sky-high approach to protect nesting least terns

Emily McKiddy, Audubon Florida’s Panhandle rooftop coordinator, works year-round from Pensacola to Panama City. She surveys a variety of gravel rooftop-nesting birds and works with building owners, volunteers, and partners to return tiny, fallen chicks to rooftop nests and to install protective measures that will prevent tiny chicks from falling in subsequent years. In spring, flocks of least terns return from their wintering grounds in South America to the Florida Panhandle to breed. The birds prefer nesting on flat, open, sandy beaches on...

Nature lovers celebrate 25 years of South Walton conservation land

As our community  grows, many residents and visitors continue to be in awe of the extraordinary amount of recreation land we have in South Walton county. However, some newcomers have no idea how we acquired such a vast and beautiful landscape enjoyed by many. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Point Washington State Forest almost didn’t happen. Thanks to the support from organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, an energetic group of advocates from 4-Mile Village, local conservation group Beach...