Environment

Tag

Walton County weekly beach sampling results for Aug. 6

No advisories issued The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes.  The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from...

World Paddle For The Planet comes to Carillon Beach Oct. 10-13

Enjoy a weekend of paddling, eco-education,  environmental awareness, and family fun World Paddle For The Planet, an eco-educational fundraiser festival will be coming to Carillon Beach Oct. 10-13, 2013.  The purpose of the event is to educate and raise awareness, sending the message worldwide, to “Be the change you want to see!”  Funds raised by this event will benefit Expedition Florida 500, a project of Mother Ocean. Education Day, Friday Oct. 11, will feature educational booths presented by NOAA, Choctawhatchee...

Walton County Health Department issues advisories for three beach accesses

Advisories issued for the Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, and Eastern Lake beach access August 1, 2013 – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. ...

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center kicking off August with hands on fun

Friday, August 2nd: Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Program from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The CBA brings hands on fun while teaching about the health of our marine life and ecosystem. Program includes aquatic animals, using a microscope, test water samples and decorate a rain barrel. Saturday, August 3rd: Puppet Theater with “That Puppet Guy” and Puppet Making Workshop Shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Atlanta based puppeteer, Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy” is a nationally recognized touring artist who...

What are the risks to paddlers from alligators?

Helpful suggestions if you have a close encounter with the large native reptile Ever wonder what to do if you get too close to an alligator? No need to panic, encounters between boaters and alligators are not very common, particularly when you consider how many people enjoy recreational boating in Florida. Many people paddle in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)...

Knowledge is key when living around black bears

Stash your garbage securely Florida black bears turn into eating machines in late summer and early fall, stuffing their stomachs in preparation for winter. For gluttonous bears, raiding a garbage can may be more appealing than foraging in the woods. To reduce human-bear conflicts during the surge of bear activity in late summer and fall, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges people to keep food sources around their homes and businesses secure from bears. “Due to the...

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance – The stewards of our watershed

A look into the four core facets of CBA This is the first of a four part series on the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College (CBA). It is easy to understand why most of us enjoy living in Northwest Florida. The beautiful beaches, creeks, rivers and the Choctawhatchee Bay offer extraordinary opportunities to fish, explore, swim and enjoy living in the diverse ecosystems that surround us. Have you ever wondered who watches over the health of our...