Environment

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Northwest Florida Water Management District awarded $15.3 million for springs projects

Funding targets springs in five local counties HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District received more than $15.3 million for springs-related projects from Governor Rick Scott’s 2016-17 Florida First Budget. The money, which comes through the Department of Environmental Protection, will be used to fund eight springs restoration and protection projects in Bay, Jackson, Leon, Wakulla, and Washington counties. “Governor Scott, DEP Secretary Jon Steverson and the Florida Legislature have once again shown their commitment to restoring and protecting...

Blue Mountain beach advisory lifted, all South Walton beaches good

July 1, 2016 – 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...

Co-existing with Florida’s beach-nesting birds

Be watchful and respectful of all nesting wildlife, it’s a matter of survival While we all enjoy the beautiful beaches of Northwest Florida, it is important to remember that we share the beach with nesting shorebirds. While you are at the beach, please remember to be respectful of wildlife. Their survival depends on you! Frequent disturbances of birds on the beach, especially disturbances that cause birds to take flight, may threaten their survival. Many species of Florida’s water birds, including...

FWC to host public webinars to discuss bear management May 26, 31, and June 2

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting three public webinars to discuss the FWC’s black bear management program and answer questions. Topics to be addressed at the webinars include new bear population estimates, 2016 bear range updates, Bear Wise communities, results of the 2015 limited bear hunt, and input concerning a possible hunt in 2016. The webinars will be held May 26, May 31 and June 2, each beginning at 6 p.m. EDT. Those interested in viewing...