Explore nature with Walton Outdoors at the Back To Nature Festival Oct. 15, 2011

October 11, 2011

Kayak Western Lake with expert guides Frances Stone and Murray Balkcom (pictured). Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Enjoy fishing, kayaking, YOLO boarding, wildlife exhibits and more!

The South Walton Community Council is pleased to announce a fun-filled day of exploring nature at Grayton Beach State Park on Oct. 15, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

As part of the Back To Nature Festival Oct. 14-16, Walton Outdoors in conjunction with SWCC will be hosting a hands on day geared towards introducing children to the wonders of exploring the outdoors. The event is free and park entrance fees have been waived for this event. Activities are geared for children ages 6 and up and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Activities will include:

• Fishing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Bass Pro Shop’s fishing pro. Children will learn ethics, how to cast a line out and enjoy fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The first 110 children will receive a free rod/reel combo.

Learn how to fish in the Gulf with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The first 110 children will receive a free rod/reel combo. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

• Kayak with expert guides Murray Balkcom of WalCo Eco Tours and Frances Stone of Florida Panhandle Canoe and Kayak Connection. Learn the basics of paddling on Western Lake. Kayaks will be provided by Yellowfin Ocean Sports.

• Learn the fun sport of stand up paddle boarding on Western Lake with Justin Nichols of Stand Up Paddle!

• Enjoy a guided hike along the sand dune trail with park specialist Patrick Hartsfield. Learn about how sand dunes are formed and what types of critters live inside the dunes.

• Learn about what sea life lives in the bay with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance touch tank.

• Explore wildlife hands on with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s wildlife display. Touch the animal skin and guess what animal it is, or name that bird feather challenge.

• Learn hands on about monarch butterflies and migration tagging with local naturalist Joe Wyatt.

• See, hear and get close to rehabilitated wildlife with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Learn about raptors and other critters and their role in our environment.

Enjoy wildlife exhibits at Grayton Beach State Park Oct. 15. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

• Learn how to build a sandcastle on the beach with expert sand sculptor Mark Flynn.

Grayton Beach State Park is located in South Walton County off of Scenic Highway 30A, 1/4 mile east of C.R. 283. ::MAP::

Explore Nature at Grayton Beach State Park is part of the 3-day Back To Nature Festival Oct. 14-16. Other activities during the weekend include an opening night party, silent auction, art show, outdoor adventures, coastal dune lake tour, and a day to celebrate nature, community and music in the Seaside amphitheater. For more information on the Back To Nature Festival lineup go to www.SouthWaltoncc.org.

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