Nature

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Learn about wildlife at Topsail June 20

Learn about the critters that call Topsail their home Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park With over 1,600 acres at the park to explore there is a pretty good chance you may have an encounter with one of our wild residents.  What will you see?  What could it be?  Come out and join the Topsail staff for a presentation on the common critters who call Topsail Hill their home.  Park at the Day-Use area and take a...

Green anole casts a big shadow

Common native lizard always entertaining to watch Kelly Roe of Santa Rosa Beach snapped this cool photo of a green anole peering over a leaf in her family’s pond. This spry fellow appears larger than life. About the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) Description: maximum length 8 inches; bright green but can change color to light brown but always evenly hued; whitish chin; females have light stripe down the back and males don’t. Three factors influence color and change of color:...

Learn about waves, tides and currents while you take a hike at Topsail June 18

Learn about the forces of nature Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Learn all about the forces of nature that help shape the shorelines of the Florida Panhandle. Enjoy a morning hike along the park’s pristine beaches and let the guide share the insights of the beautiful Gulf’s waves and tides  Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for more information. All programs...

FWC to taking steps to remove Florida black bear from threatened species list

From the Desk of the FWC By Stan Kirkland, FWC The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) took the initial step this week in removing the Florida black bear and 15 other species from the state’s list of threatened species. In 2007 the Commission began a review of threatened species to see which had recovered and warranted removal from the list, and which should remain. The review focused on 61 species and involved more than 200 experts – 174...

Manatees visit Northwest Florida in summer months

Gentle giants can be seen in the Choctawhatchee Bay and as far west as Escambia County By Stan Kirkland, Public Information Coordinator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Northwest Region It’s been six or seven years since a guy in a plaid shirt and shorts walked into our Deer Point office one summer morning and said a big manatee was hanging around the Deer Point Dam. I grabbed my camera and drove the quarter mile to the dam and the...

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center open to the public

Center open on weekends The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is now open to the public on weekends. The Center offers education on a better understanding of our environment; with its focus on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources.  The hands-on environmental learning facility had previously only been open to serve students, teachers and professional audiences. The exhibition hall showcases exhibits of bees, snakes and turtles, forest and wetland habitats and hands-on interpretive displays....

Step back in time at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Rustic and diverse State Park a favorite for summertime scalloping At the north end of the 17-mile St. Joseph Peninsula, just past Cape San Blas, you will find a unique Florida State Park with 6 miles of pristine beaches nestled along enormous sand dunes. Properly known as the T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, this are of the Florida Panhandle is considered part of the “Forgotten Coast.” Perfect exploring for the nature lover, as you will experience three...