Nature

Category

Ranger led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park August 1

Enjoy a ranger-led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 from 10 – 11 a.m. Join in for a ranger-guided nature hike. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. Hike is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. The Friends of Camp Helen are excited to be open...

Guided plant walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park July 15

You’re invited to a plant identification walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the third Monday of the month. The walk starts at 9:00 am at tram stop #2, and is led by Bill Kuenstler, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Learn about the many native plants at the park. Driving Directions Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP:...

Ranger led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park July 4

Enjoy a ranger-led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park on Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 10 – 11 a.m. Join in for a ranger-guided nature hike. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. Hike is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. The Friends of Camp Helen are excited to be open...

Learn about St. Joseph Bay in Port St. Joe June 21

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension faculty are reintroducing their acclaimed “Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!” series on St. Joseph Bay. This ecosystem is home to some of the richest concentrations of flora and fauna on the Northern Gulf Coast. This area supports an amazing diversity of fish, aquatic invertebrates, turtles and other species of the marsh and pine flatwoods. Come learn about the important roles of ecosystem. The seminar will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. – 3...

Guided plant walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park June 17

You’re invited to a plant identification walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the third Monday of the month. The walk starts at 9:00 am at tram stop #2, and is led by Bill Kuenstler, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Learn about the many native plants at the park. Driving Directions Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP:...

Ranger led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park June 6

Enjoy a ranger-led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 10 – 11 a.m. Join in for a ranger-guided nature hike. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. Hike is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. The Friends of Camp Helen are excited to be open...

The seaweed along the shoreline is teeming with life

Beach wrack full of curiosities When walking the beach this summer, pause and ponder the virtues of stranded seaweed. Those scattered clumps along the high-tide line actually have a name – beach wrack – and are a pivotal part of the beach ecosystem. “Many might think sand makes a beach, but it’s the wrack that truly brings a beach to life,” said Blair Witherington, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist who studies beach life. “It sponsors some...

It’s Tupelo honey season!

Local beekeeper Richard Lewis sharing his Tupelo honey frames extracted from one of his beehives. “It has been a good season” Richard said. Fun facts about Tupelo: The White Tupelo (Nyssa Ogeche) tree, is commonly referred to as Ogeechee tupelo. It blooms for a brief two-week period along the Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Apalachicola Rivers. It is the rarest and finest honey you can find. Years ago it was called “swamp honey,” and it is the Florida State honey. Check with...