Nature

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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...

Learn about owls at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Sept. 29

Date/time: Thurs., Sept. 29 – 9 – 10 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an information program about “Owls” and their place in the food web. For this program you will learn how to examine the roles owls play in the food web by dissecting owl pellets. Enter the park through the main gate and park staff will direct you to the clubhouse. Standard state park entry fees will apply. $6.00 entry fee to the park...

5K Family Hike at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Sept. 24

The E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center teams up with the Walton County Health Department for the Biophilia Center 5K Family Hike on Saturday, September 24th. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and last hikers must begin trail by 8:30 a.m. Registration from 7:00-8:00 a.m. First Hikers hit the trail at 8:00 a.m. $5 per person or $20 per family. Educational health programs and interactive exhibit area open for all those not joining in on the hike. Goodie bags handed out to all finishers....

Fall Bay Day celebration at St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Oct. 1

Date/time: Sat., Oct. 1, 2016 – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST Bay County Audubon Society and Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves present the opportunity to tour the Buffer and Aquatic Preserves and learn about birds and life along the bay. Guided tours of backwoods trails of the Buffer Preserve will be offered at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30pm, and 2:00 ET. Our very own Ron Houser will be leading a birding trip! Explore the Shore guided...

Choctawhatchee Beach mouse hike at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Sept. 22

Date/Time: Thurs., Sept. 22 – 9 – 10 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an informational program about one of the imperiled species we share the park with. Beach mice inhabit coastal dunes in the panhandle and along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Development of coastal areas has caused a loss of habitat for beach mice and other plants and animals that live in the dunes. Due to this loss of habitat, five of the six...

Rock the Falls music and craft festival at Falling Waters State Park Oct. 1

Date/time: Sat., Oct. 1, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Falling Waters State Park and the Washington County Tourist Development Council are proud to present Rock the Falls Music Festival and Craft Show. Live music will be played by award winning recording artists along with crafters and artist all set to the backdrop of what has been called the most amazing geological feature in Florida. Some of the crafters will include woodworkers, soap makers, glassworks, ceramics, jewelry, custom knives and much...

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge looking for volunteers

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is the facility to call if you discover injured wildlife. For more than 20 years, ECWR has cared for a variety of animals – from injured pelicans, to infant raccoons. Supported mostly through the donations of local residents and businesses, ECWR is also involved in education, conservation and rehabilitation of fauna. Currently the refuge is in dire need for volunteers to help care for the animals, educate the public, and tend to their growing needs...