Environment

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Volunteers needed for oyster shell bagging Aug. 17

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is looking for volunteers to help bag oyster shells on Monday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon. You will be bagging at the South Walton Center of Northwest Florida State College, 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. RSVP to Rachel Gwin at (850) 200-4173 or gwinr@nwfsc.edu. What to bring/wear: Wear clothes and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle and a hat. Water and gloves will be...

Walton County Health Department hosting water quality testing event Aug. 18

Time: 3 p.m. The Florida Department of Health invites you to join The Florida Department of Health in Walton County officials, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong, and community leaders as we celebrate exemplary water quality and healthy beach activities in Walton County. Come see how they test water quality, hear what sets Walton County apart and jump in a kayak for a tour where you’ll see firsthand the beautiful landscapes available to residents looking to...

Leatherback sea turtle nests at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

This past Sunday,  South Walton received a very special visitor. Along the beach of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, a leatherback sea turtle came ashore to nest.  Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles in Florida, and are endangered. The track from the beach to the nest was 7 feet across. The nest’s body pit was 18 feet across, Assistant Park Manager, George Royal informed us. Nesting leatherbacks are a rarity in the Florida Panhandle, with less than a...

Americorps NWF Environmental Stewards now hiring

Applications accepted until July 29 AmeriCorps NWF Environmental Stewards is now taking applications for the 2015-2016 program year. AmeriCorps is a component of the National Service Network. Its goal is to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to help meet communities’ critical education, public safety, environmental, and other human needs. AmeriCorps is often referred to as the “Domestic Peace Corps.” AmeriCorps members gain an opportunity to make a big difference in their lives and in the lives...

Public invited to participate in Florida fox squirrel population study

Have you seen any fox squirrels? In Florida, the fox squirrel can be found in almost every county, but the distribution is patchy and not well understood. To better understand fox squirrel distribution, a new research project conducted by the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking people across the state to report their fox squirrel sightings. The fox squirrel, named for its fox–like tail, is a charismatic...

Learn about invasive plants at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park July 17

Date/time: Friday July 17th, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Come learn about our non-native visitors. You may have some right in your own backyard. This program will teach you how to identify and get rid of plants that do not belong. Lots of time and money are spent on eradication of these plants, find out how you can help. Enter the park through the main gate and park staff will direct you to the clubhouse. Admission into the Park is Free...

SWARA to launch artificial reef off of Grayton Beach

Update July 8: On Friday, July 10, the South Walton Artificial Reed Association will be deploying an artificial reef off of Grayton Beach State Park. There is an event planned with this deployment that will be at Grayton Beach State Park beginning at 10 a.m. What started as a great idea is now coming to fruition for divers, snorkelers, and anglers seeking to explore the waters off the coastline of South Walton. Local resident Andy McAlexander came up with the...