Environment

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FWC provides tips for living with alligators

The American alligator is a conservation success story. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million and consists of alligators of every size. They are an important part of Florida’s ecosystem, but should be regarded with caution and respect. During spring when temperatures rise, alligators become more active. Although alligator incidents are rare, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking precautions when having fun in and around the water. Alligators inhabit...

Important addition to Torreya State Park acquired

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently purchased a 65-acre addition to Torreya State Park in Jackson County. Torreya State Park is adjacent to the Apalachicola River Florida Forever project, which includes much of Florida’s upland glades natural community, currently not represented on conservation lands, and harbors several globally rare plant species as well as 16 species that occur nowhere else in Florida. “Torreya State Park is incredibly important, not just for its fantastic scenic views of the Apalachicola River,...

Learn about insects at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park March 30

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the South Walton Mosquito Control District (SWMCD) on March 30, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. Come learn about the insects and bugs that call the Florida Panhandle home at the park’s educational series. This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park.  Future dates and topics are “Coastal Species” by FWCC on April 20,...

Miner bees nothing to worry about in your landscape

What are all these little mounds of dirt in my lawn? This time of year, you might notice some industrious creature has been busy digging up tiny piles of soil around your lawn, pasture, or garden. If they look like this picture, don’t worry, it’s just a miner bee. These solitary bees emerge from the ground in the spring, and then spend their time pollinating plants and digging new nests for their young. They look a lot like bumblebees, though...

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

A Health Advisory has been issued on February 22, 2018 for Morrison Springs. The Advisory is issued based on the criteria for fecal indicator bacteria. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended.  Samples taken are above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than 61 Enterococci CFU/100mL, or 235 E. coli CFU/100mL...

Film event urging reversal of offshore drilling plan in Santa Rosa Beach March 1

Shore Stories is a film series and organizing initiative that uses short documentary films to build public opposition to the Federal government’s plans to expand offshore drilling to the coast of Florida. The six short films curated by Working Films and allied organizations, highlight the growing grassroots movement building across the U.S., as well as stories from past oil and gas exploration – including the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. These efforts follow an announcement from the Trump administration on January...

Learn about south Walton’s artificial reefs at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Feb. 9

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) on February 9, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. Come learn about their organization, what they do and the seahorse shaped artificial reef they deployed off the park’s shoreline. This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park.  To stay up to date about this program and all...