Nature

Category

Tread softly around Cnidoscolus stimulosus

Tread Softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) is a small herbaceous wildflower we commonly find along our sandy beaches, coastal scrubs, and sandy forest trails. If you happen to step on or brush up against one, you will not soon forget your encounter. Although their tiny white flowers are fragrant, this is one you should avoid close encounter. Tread softly is also known as stinging nettle, finger-rot, and probably a few other names if you’ve ever stepped on it barefoot. Not actually a nettle,...

Learn about birds of prey at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 22

Date/time: Friday August 22, 2014, 2 -3 p.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to come learn about our birds of prey. This area plays host to a large number of winged hunters. This program will help you to identify them, and it will also cover types of prey, habits, where to find them, and much more. This is an all ages program and will take place in the clubhouse. A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park....

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society events for September

On Thursday, September 4, the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will host a special program on the History of our Rivers and the Role of our Forests with a presentation by Barbara Albrecht, Volunteer Watershed Coordinator for the University of West Florida.  Panhandle rivers and forests are biological treasures and are critical to the health of our estuaries and adjacent gulf waters.  Albrecht is Founder and Director of the Panhandle Watershed Alliance and President of the Bream Fishermen’s Association. The Choctawhatchee Audubon...

Relocated gopher tortoises arrive at Nokuse Plantation in Freeport

Twelve relocated gopher tortoises have arrived at Nokuse Plantation in Freeport Aug. 8 to enjoy a new permanent habitat. As part of an ongoing rehabilitation project at Nokuse, the endangered species will have a second chance on life due to conservation efforts on behalf of Nokuse, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a new grant funding from St. Joe Community Foundation. The gopher tortoises were relocated from a development area in Brevard county and near Apopka, Florida. When new...

Learn about coastal dune lakes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 15

Date/time: Friday August 15th, 2 -3 p.m. These globally imperiled rare coastal dune lakes are found only in a few places worldwide, including right here at Topsail Hill Preserve. Come learn what makes these lakes so special and what is being done to protect them. Enter the park through the main gate and the staff will direct you to the park’s clubhouse. A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525...

Learn about coyotes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 13

Date/time: Wednesday August 13th, 2014 Coyotes 2 – 3 p.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State park invites you to come learn about our most ubiquitous exotic mammal, the Coyote. This program will cover everything you need to know about Coyotes, where they live, how they survive, and how we manage them in our parks. This is an all ages program Park entry fee is $6 and the park staff will direct you to the clubhouse where the program will be held....

Snowy plover family doing well at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

As we enjoy our wonderful beaches in South Walton, many visitors and locals are not aware that we are sharing vital habitat for a variety of shorebirds. Our dune systems and coastal dune lakes provide perfect nesting areas and foraging habitat for a variety of species such as sandpipers, gulls, terns, and wading birds. One tiny species is the small, sandy colored snowy plover. The snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) can be found year round along our beaches in Northwest Florida....