Environment

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Walton County fishing report for Aug. 11

Fish is on! Great news now that NOAA has reopened the offshore waters! Fresh: River is still low but lots of fish being caught on popping bugs. Catfish and warmouth being caught. Bay: Get out early with this hot weather. Speckled trout starting back up, shrimp is getting bigger, redfish has tapered off a bit. Saltwater: Lots of big king mackerel, some pompano and whiting. Heard that they are talking about opening up another snapper season. Get out early! Shrimp...

Learn about native snakes at Topsail Aug. 19

Native snakes of Florida program offers fascinating facts Thursday, Aug. 19 – 1:30 p.m. Come and join the park for a presentation of native snakes. Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A in Santa Rosa...

Independent water testing on July 10 negative for DOSS in South Walton Gulf water

Local chapter of Surfrider hopes to continue to test, raise awareness On July 10, Emerald Coast Surfrider Foundation members took Gulf water samples from Okaloosa Island Pier, Miramar Beach at Pompano Joes, Blue Mountain Beach and Seaside. The local surfing organization started going the extra mile beyond government agency testing to acquire specific results to determine if DOSS (Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate Sodium Salt), was present in the water. DOSS is used in corexit dispersants. On Aug. 4 the test results came...

Surfrider Foundation hosts fundraiser Aug. 5

Enjoy great coastal cuisine while helping out a good cause Surfrider Foundation announces the Clean Water Wine & Dine event on Thursday, August 5th at studio b. the beach in Alys Beach at 6:30pm. Special guest Jim Moriarty, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, will be in attendance at the event designed to bring concerned locals together to learn more about the current efforts by the Emerald Coast Surfrider Chapter to ensure the safety of the Gulf of Mexico and area...

South Walton sea turtle nests headed to the east coast

South Walton Turtle Watch Group assists USFWS, NOAA and FWC in relocation program It was a busy morning on South Walton beaches July 26 as South Walton Turtle Watch assisted U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration biologists in relocating sea turtle nests. The nests are being relocated to the east coast to ensure the sea turtle hatchlings do not encounter oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The eggs are removed within a week...

Learn about coastal dune lakes at Northwest Florida College South Walton Center

Classes will be held July 27, August 3, 10 Get up-close and personal with Walton County’s coastal dune lakes. Classes will offer classroom type instruction, guided tours, and on-site discussion about different topics focused on coastal dune lakes. Topics will include: What is a coastal dune lake?, coastal morphology, water quality of coastal dune lakes, human impacts to coastal dune lakes, exotic / invasive species, and preservation areas involving coastal dune lakes. Field trips will include visits to some of...