Environment

Tag

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

High bacteria count found at Morrison Springs June 5, 2012 update: Springs have reopened. June 1, 2012 – Due to a high level of bacteria found in routine monitoring of Morrison Springs, the Walton County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for the Morrison Springs bathing place. The Health Department advises against any water-related activities at the above location due to the high bacteria levels.  The Health Department will advise the public when water samples confirm that there is...

Gopher Tortoise Management Plan draft ready for public input

Did you know a gopher tortoise burrow provides a home for hundreds of other species? A new draft of the five-year update to the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan for the state is available for review. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking for public input. The threatened gopher tortoise is classified as a keystone species, because its extensive burrows offer shelter to more than 350 other species such as the federally threatened eastern indigo snake. Gopher tortoises...

Walton County Health Department urges residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals

Rabies is preventable, but not curable Walton County health officials urge residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure.  In Florida, raccoons, bats foxes and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies.  Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets. “Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that can be prevented but not cured.  It...

Learn about spiders at Topsail May 26

Become arachnid savvy Date/Time: Sat., May 26, 2 p.m. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Did you know spiders are arachnids, but not all arachnids are spiders? In fact, there are over 35,000 named species of spiders worldwide and Florida has the honor of having the most diverse group in the eastern US. Come out and join the folks at Topsail and learn more about some of the most famous members of the arachnid family. Park at the Day-Use area...

Local captures Destin’s natural landscape in photographs

Daily stress therapy has its rewards Destin resident Scotty Lisenbe has a sure cure for dealing with his day-to-day stress of working long hours. He stops, explores the natural surroundings around him, and then documents his daily journey in photographs. On his daily work commute from Destin to Fort Walton Beach, Lisenbe gets up early each morning and visits a special area along his way. A location chock full of nesting herons and a variety of other shorebirds makes for...

Snakes are plentiful this spring in the Florida Panhandle

Snakes are out; be careful By Stan Kirkland, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Phil Manor remembers the day like it was yesterday. It was late spring in 1993 when he was working by himself on the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area tearing out a beaver dam on a wetland. Manor, who at the time had worked four years as a wildlife biologist with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, was almost through with his work when...

Learn about alligators at Topsail May 18

Time: 2 p.m. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park El lagarato was the name coined by the Spanish explorers and early settlers of Florida who came upon the American Alligator. These giant “lizards” live in or near almost every water body in Florida and have fascinated people for many years. Come out and join the park to learn more about these sunbathing, cold-blooded critters. Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse. Outside tours canceled...