Environment

Category

Black Bears of 30A photography exhibit at Seaside Institute through July 31

The Seaside Institute is hosting a photography exhibit – The Black Bears of 30A at their gallery at 168 Smolian Circle, Seaside Jun 26 – July 31, 2023. The gallery is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Paper Bear photography exhibit is a must-see for art, film, and environmental enthusiasts. Installed through July 31st, this captivating exhibit showcases a series of fine art photography by co-founder of The Paper Bear, Arix Zalace. The collection was...

Walton County Health Department issues mosquito-borne illness advisory

June 26, 2023 – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH- Walton) today advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Walton County. Several sentinel chickens have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis Virus infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. South Walton County Mosquito Control, North Walton Mosquito Control and (DOH-Walton) continue surveillance and prevention efforts. DOH-Walton reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to...

Weekly water quality testing shows health advisory for Grady Brown Park

Walton County – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of September. 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...

Health advisory for Morrison Springs has been lifted

Effective June 1, 2023, the Florida Department of Health in Walton County is rescinding the May 23, 2023, health advisory for the Morrison Springs bathing place. DOH Walton feels that water quality in this area has improved considerably due to the reduction in bacteria levels. We will continue to monitor the water quality in this area monthly and routinely advise the public of our results. For more information, contact the DOH Walton at 850-892-8021. The Florida Department of Health in...

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

A Health Advisory has been issued on May 23, 2023, for Morrison Springs.  The Advisory is issued based on the criteria for fecal indicator bacteria. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended.  Samples taken are above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than 61 Enterococci CFU/100mL, or 235 E. coli CFU/100mL...

Yellow flies are back!

It’s that time of year again, and those nasty yellow flies are biting… here are some tips for armoring yourself In Florida, the name “yellow fly” is used to describe about a dozen different species of yellow-bodied biting flies. “Yellow flies” readily attack humans and are usually abundant in Florida with peak annoyance occurring in May and June. “Yellow flies” are in the family known as Tabanidae. All tabanids go through an egg, larva, pupa and adult stage, referred to...

Mattie M. Kelly Environmental Institute Family Festival in Niceville April 15

Mattie M. Kelly Environmental Institute 16th Annual Family Festival is coming Saturday, April 15, 2023, to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Amphitheater on the Niceville Campus of Northwest Florida State College. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., local organizations will provide fun activities, hands-on displays and environmental awareness. In this family and community event for all ages, you can learn about the local environment in our region and the people living and working there. The event is FREE and open...