Environment

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Barred owl gets second lease on life

Injured bird set free after six weeks of rehabilitation One lucky barred owl got a second lease of life Dec. 31 after recovering from serious injuries. Back on November 20, 2010, the young adult owl was struck by a truck and lodged in the grill. With a broken leg, wing and cracked beak, the owl was transported to the emergency animal clinic. Lisa Miller of Wildlife Rehabilitators Partnership of Northwest Florida was contacted to care for the bird. After generously...

Happy New Year from Walton Outdoors

May your new year be filled with prosperity and new growth About resurrection fern: Resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides) is an epiphyte that grows attached to branches of forest trees and sometimes upon rocks or dry ground. It is a common sight throughout Walton County and often found growing on the live oaks in our region. This fern’s long thin rhizomes grow creeping along narrow cracks or in the furrows of the host tree’s bark.  They are about 6 in. (15...

Florida Wildlife magazine a perfect gift for young and old

Looking for a last minute Christmas gift? Florida Wildlife, the official magazine of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), is packed with outstanding color photos and articles about every facet of outdoor recreation. For more than 60 years, this award-winning magazine has provided an in-depth look at what’s going on in Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys, from crystal-clear springs to white sand beaches, from the pine flatlands to the Everglades and all points in between. Each...

Rattlesnakes: Finding their poise and dignity

Living alongside wildlife By David Steen Editors note: David Steen is an Auburn University Ph.D. candidate working in the longleaf pine forests of northwestern Florida. He conducts research primarily pertaining to the ecology and conservation biology of reptiles. Most of the time, you can find him checking his snake traps in the piney woods but once the sun sets he is often wading through wetlands spotlighting water snakes. All too often we are presented with portrayals of rattlesnakes that rob...

Learn all about sharks at Topsail Nov. 18

Learn how to stay safe in the water at presentation hosted by Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Thurs. Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Florida leads the nation in shark bites.  Find out more about the sharks that are found in Florida and how to stay safe in the water at this slide show presentation at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A to take a short hike to the clubhouse.  $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the...

Bald eagle shot in Fort Walton Beach, agencies seeking information

Sizeable reward offered for information leading to arrest Two agencies are offering rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot a bald eagle Oct. 15 in Fort Walton Beach. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a reward of up to $1,000 through its Wildlife Alert Reward Program for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot the eagle.  The Wildlife Alert number is 888-404-FWCC (3922). Separately, the U.S. Fish...