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Cultural Arts Alliance selects designs for underwater museum of art

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) are proud to reveal seven sculpture designs selected by jury for permanent exhibition in the first installation of the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). The 2018 Spring/Summer installation will include the following sculpture: “Propeller in Motion” by Marek Anthony, “Self Portrait” by Justin Gaffrey, “The Grayt Pineapple” by Rachel Herring, “JYC’s Dream” by Kevin Reilly in collaboration with students from South Walton Montessori School, “SWARA...

Obey the beach flag warnings

Pay attention to the beach flag warnings – Do not put yourself in danger – with rip currents, everyone is at risk CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT ADVISORY Rip Currents or other hazardous situations exist What is the Beach Flag System? The beach flags provide general warnings about overall surf conditions and do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents. However, increasing awareness of natural conditions which pose a significant risk at the beach, such as rip...

Beautiful railroad vines help protect South Walton beaches

Beautiful plant strengthens sand dunes Always a pleasant sight along South Walton’s beaches, the beautiful blooming railroad vine is also an important protector of our sand dunes. As with the sea oats, the plant helps to stabilize the dunes by rooting at nodes all along its length, and is often planted for that purpose. Each flower opens only once, in the morning, but keep blooming almost all year long, peaking from May through November. The railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is...

South Walton Fire District lifeguards start 2017 season

14 towers, 5 wheelchair locations South Walton Fire District (SWFD) lifeguards have reported to their 14 tower locations March 1, 2017 and will continue to staff until the end of the season on September 30, 2017. This is the 12th year that SWFD and South Walton Tourist Development Council have partnered to provide the Beach Safety and Education Program. In addition, 2017 marks the 3rd year of partnership between SWFD and Sandestin Owners Association (SOA) and the 1st year between...

South Walton home to hundreds of new artificial reefs in 2017

South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) has some great news for 2017. Seven years after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) artificial reef deployment funding has been allocated, contracts awarded, and hundreds of new artificial reefs are slated to splash off Walton County waters. Exact timing is contingent upon windows of favorable weather and sea conditions, however SWARA’s overall plan is: One patch reef within each of the 9 near-shore...

Portuguese man-of-war can pack a powerful punch

Don’t touch or come in contact with the blue “bubbles” that wash on shore Many interesting things wash ashore along the beaches of South Walton. Often we find interesting creatures within the beach wrack and the tide often washes in beautiful seashells. However, there is one creature, the Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis), also known as man-of-war, or bluebottle that is not a fun critter to come in contact with. Although spectacular to behold with its blue “bubble,” it...

International Coastal Clean Up Day Sept. 17

Find a location near you and help clean up our Northwest Florida waterways. Santa Rosa Beach Blue Mountain Beach – Surfrider Foundation’s Emerald Coast chapter invites you to participate in the world’s biggest beach cleanup – the International Coastal Cleanup. Last year, more than 800,000 volunteers around the word collected more than 18 million pounds of trash. Join us and protect what you love. Surfriders will be meeting from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Blue Mountain Beach access in...

Learn surf fishing at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 11

Date/Time: August 11th, 9-10 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to learn how to fish from the beach.  Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, have some fun, and catch a tasty meal. Many people first learned to fish by having an experienced angler take them fishing. Unfortunately not every person that would like to try fishing knows someone that can teach them the basics. Regardless of how much help a fisherman was given, everyone had...