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Christmas greetings from Walton Outdoors

Warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas Walton Outdoors would like to thank all of our readers for sharing and exploring the wonders of the outdoors this year. Peace and harmony to you and yours this holiday season. We look forward to sharing exciting new adventures in the coming year.  ...

Happy winter solstice

December 21, 2016 Late dawn. Early sunset. Short day. Long night. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. Meanwhile, on the day of the December solstice, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day and shortest night. This special day is Wed., Dec. 21 at 4:44 a.m. No matter where you live on Earth’s globe, a solstice is your signal to celebrate. What is a solstice? The earliest people...

Choctawhatchee River Section of the Florida National Scenic Trail now open

Dec. 14, 2016 – Tom Daniel, Trail Coordinator for the Choctawhatchee Chapter, Florida Trail Association has announced a new section of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) in Walton County is now open. “Our volunteers have been working on this Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) segment since 2009. The recent completion of the 245 foot boardwalk at Cypress Creek allows us to finally open the trail.  The boardwalk permits hikers to safely cross until the Choctawhatchee River reaches flood stage...

Enjoy a guided First Day Hike at an area Florida State Park Jan. 1

Head outdoors for a ranger-guided hike at the First Day Hikes tradition at Florida State Parks on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Here is a list of hikes across northwest Florida: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Time: 9 – 11:30 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to join us for a pet and family friendly Ranger Led First Day Hike!  This hike will take place on the north side of the Turpentine Trail, on this trail participants will learn...

Florida State Parks offering free admission Nov. 11

Florida State Parks will be offering free admission at Florida’s 174 state parks for all families and visitors Nov. 11, Veterans Day, in recognition of all those who have served and are currently serving in our U.S. military. Year-round, Florida’s state parks offer special deals on Annual Entrance Passes to those who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military branches, veterans with service related disabilities and surviving spouses of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in...

Learn about the Florida black bear at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Nov.17

Time: 9 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an informational program about the Florida black bear. Florida black bears are the largest land mammals in the state. Loss of large forested lands and swamps is the biggest challenge to long-term conservation of the Florida black bear; especially in a growing state of nearly 20 million people. Enter the park through the main gate and park staff will direct you to the clubhouse. Park admission is $6...

Wings Over Florida birding hike at Blackwater Fisheries Research Nov. 5

Date/time: Saturday, Nov. 5, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Join Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail coordinator Whitney Gray and Wings Over Florida coordinator Andy Wraithmell for a hike around the wonderful birding trail site at Blackwater Fisheries Research. You will walk the dikes between the aquaculture ponds, looking for wintering wildfowl such as Ring-necked Duck and Blue-winged Teal. Wilson’s Snipe feed along the muddy edges. Bachman’s Sparrows and Brown-headed Nuthatches are fairly common and Henslow’s Sparrow has been recorded in...