Environment

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Oyster reef construction volunteers needed January 15, 19, 21, and 22

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is seeking volunteers to help bag and build an oyster reefs on January 15, 19, 21, and 22 from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. You will be meeting at the South Walton Center of Northwest Florida State College, 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 AND One of CBA’s current restoration sites. You will load bagged recycled or fossilized oyster shell for transport. The you will travel as a group to place bagged oyster shell in...

Discard used monofilament fishing line properly and don’t feed the birds

Check your tackle frequently and replace old line In Florida, fishing is an important part of our lifestyle as well as the economy. However, this enjoyable activity sometimes can lead to problems for birds and other wildlife, such as sea turtles and birds. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists, monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks that are improperly handled or discarded can entangle these animals, leading to injury and even death. The brown pelican is one species...

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance announces spring eco adventures

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College announces the spring 2016 session of its award winning eco-tourism initiative, Discover Roads Less Traveled: Eco-Adventures of Walton County. Led by local experts and professional naturalists, Discover Roads Less Traveled offers visitors and local residents opportunities to explore, discover and experience the diverse natural resources that make Walton County so unique. The eco-adventure schedule offers a range of activities for both tourists and locals alike. For more information about the...

Major river flooding on the Choctawhatchee River impacts Walton County

As of 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2015, the Choctawhatchee River at Ebro is predicted to crest at 20.7 ft. on Jan. 1, 2016. This is the highest level the river has been in several years. According to the National Weather Service, the following is recorded levels in recent history: Historic Crests (1) 29.19 ft on 03/15/1929 (2) 26.76 ft on 07/11/1994 (3) 22.88 ft on 03/23/1990 (4) 22.61 ft on 03/13/1998 (5) 21.48 ft on 04/15/1975 Show More Historic...

Major flooding in the forecast for Choctawhatchee River

853 AM EST THU DEC 24 2015 The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a MAJOR FLOOD WARNING for the Choctawhatchee River. Choctawhatchee River near Caryville (US 90) affecting Holmes and Washington Counties and near Bruce (SR 20) affecting Walton County. At 16.5: Major flooding occurs along the east and west banks of the Choctahatchee river from near the confluence with Holmes creek to the Gulf of Mexico affecting many homes and fishing camps. At 14: Flood waters impact...

Keep your eyes to the sky for white pelicans migrating through Northwest Florida

By Stan Kirkland, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission One of the many benefits of living in the Florida panhandle and particularly near the coast is the vast variety of wildlife we often see. Daily, you’re apt to see bald eagles, ospreys, fox squirrels, black bears, wild turkeys, deer and numerous other species. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. One species you may miss that’s migrating through our area now are white pelicans. Just...

Red tide organism are currently present along Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties

Nov. 13, 2015 – As evident from recent satellite images, fish kill reports, and analysis of water samples, blooms of the Florida red tide organism are currently present along Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties in Northwest Florida and Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties in Southwest Florida. In Northwest Florida over the past week, Karenia brevis was detected in low concentrations in one sample collected alongshore of Escambia County; in very low concentrations in 3 samples...

Volunteers needed for oyster shell bagging Nov. 10, 14, 21

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is seeking volunteers to help bag and build oyster reefs on Nov. 10, 14, 21. 2015. The project will be from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. You will be bagging oyster shell at the South Walton Center of Northwest Florida State College, 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. You will travel (about 5 miles) as a group to place bagged oyster shell in the water at a park nearby in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Some transportation...