Environment

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Ponce de Leon Springs State Park swimming area closed due to flooding

Update: Swimming area reopened July 19 Swimming in the spring at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is currently closed due to flooding from recent rains. The area is closed from flooding on the Choctawhatchee River backing up to Sandy Creek. Park ranger Aaron Miller hopes the water will recede by early next week if no further rains affect the area. “The water started to go down after the heavy rains, but recent rains north of us flooded the swimming...

Walton County Health Department issues advisory for Grayton Beach

As of July 11, 2013 – Advisory issued for Grayton Beach Access The Florida Department of Health in Walton County 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...

Choctawhatchee River expected to crest at 18.4 ft. on Monday

Major flooding on the Choctawhatchee River has occurred due to recent heavy amounts of rainfall. The river is expected to crest at 18.4 ft. on Monday, July 8, 2013. The river is expected to remain at a major flood stage through July 12. Recent heavy rains closed many roads along the river and several other low lying areas in Walton over the last week. Click here to view river reading....

Help imperiled bird species survive along our beaches

Be mindful and respect wildlife this coming holiday weekend and every day By Jeff Talbert, Park Services Specialist Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Each year on our beaches, imperiled animals come to nest. Many visitors and residents are aware of our nesting sea turtles and even our endangered beach mice. However, most aren’t aware of our nesting shorebirds. Each year Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County beaches play host to a variety of nesting shorebirds including snowy plovers and least terns....

Audubon seeks volunteer shorebird stewards

You can help beach birds nest in peace Did you know beach-nesting birds like Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns lay their eggs on top of the sand and raise their young on our local beaches? To help Florida’s beach-nesting birds nest safely and successfully, Audubon and their partners post signs and twine around their nesting areas. For added protection, volunteers chaperon these posted areas on busy warm-weather weekends to educate beach-goers about the birds and the...