Nature

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Join in on the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 14-17, 2014

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Since then, more than 100,000 people of all ages and walks of life have joined the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. Simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see for...

Take a guided nature walk at Grayton Beach State Park Feb. 26

On Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m. join the Park Services Specialist at Grayton Beach State Park for “The Dunes are Alive” nature walk. Learn about the flora and fauna found in the sand dunes, and learn about the importance of the endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, and see the most photographed tree line on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Participants will meet at the Grayton Beach State Park beach parking area. Appropriate clothing, closed toe shoes, drinking water is required. Insect repellant,...

Cold weather aids 2014 Florida State-wide manatee count

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported a preliminary count of 4,831 manatees in Florida during this year’s statewide aerial survey, conducted in late January. Over two days (Jan. 24 and 27), a team of 20 observers from nine organizations counted 2,317 manatees on Florida’s east coast and 2,514 on the west coast of the state. The final numbers will be available following verification of survey data. “This year’s manatee count is the third highest we...

Beach nesting bird presentation at Coastal Branch Library Feb. 27

Did you know that beach-nesting birds such as snowy plovers, black skimmers, American oystercatchers and least terns lay their eggs on top of the sand, and raise their young on our local beaches? Chicks less than six inches tall can be seen feeding along dunes, coastal lakes and the tidal zones. Want to see it for yourself?  Dramatic courtship displays and the sight of adorable chicks taking their first steps await you in an amazing photo presentation on Feb. 27...

Learn about the gopher tortoise at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Feb. 7

Time: 2 – 3 p.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to come learn about the state tortoise of Florida, the gopher tortoise. These animals play an important role in our local upland ecosystems, and can even be found out in the dunes of the park. The presentation will be given in the clubhouse; the park staff will direct you from the ranger station. $6.00 entry admission per vehicle. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W....

Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park Feb. 15

The Friends of Eden pay tribute to the Camellia Saturday, Feb. 15th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eden Gardens State Park in Point Washington, North of US 98 via CR-395. Visitors are invited to stroll through amazing Camellias, enjoy a floral demonstration using Camellias, learn air layering, (a Camellia propagating technique), and Camellia waxing for bloom preservation.  Attend demonstrations on Camellia care and other plant related topics by Marie Harrison, author of numerous gardening books.  Camellias, air layered...

Black bear educational program at Coastal Branch Library Feb. 4

On Feb 4, at 10 a.m., Stan Kirkland, from Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present an educational program “Learning to Live with Black Bears.” Stan grew up in the Florida panhandle community of Sneads in Jackson County. He learned at an early age to fish and hunt by following his father. He attended Chipola Jr. College and then Auburn University, graduating in 1976 with a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Management. He’s worked with the FWC since 1976...