Environment

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Photo journey of Northwest Florida’s flora and fauna at E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Nov. 19

Matt Greene, a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will present “A Photo Journey of Northwest Florida’s Flora and Fauna”  on Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. The presentation will highlight the region’s longleaf pine ecosystem with its rich botanical diversity. Matt will include information on the role of prescribed fire in Florida, along with a discussion on the history of land use throughout Northern Florida. Matt is...

FWC solicits feedback on new bear management plan

New management plan will include measurable objectives regarding bear populations, habitat, citizen education and outreach, and human-bear conflicts After dwindling to as few as 300 bears in the 1970s, the Florida black bear population has rebounded to an estimated 3,000 bears today. Bears and their cubs roam forests and swamps from Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle to Ocala National Forest in the state’s midsection and Big Cypress National Preserve in Southwest Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...

Go green with Gulf Coast Insulation

Local company offers eco friendly insulation products For the folks at Gulf Coast Insulation, business is booming. The young Walton based company has been growing in leaps and bounds since its start a mere two years ago. With more than eight years experience in the insulation industry, owners Jon LaGrosse, Erin LaGross, Colby Anderson and their team have been using new technology and eco based materials for their insulation projects, keeping them ahead of the industry curve. Their environmentally safe...

Migrating monarchs in Walton County part of tagging study

Local naturalist in fifth year of Monarch Watch program Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay in Freeport has been tagging monarch butterflies over the last five years as part of a migration study with the University of Kansas. So far in this year’s study, Joe has tagged more than 100, finding the majority of the fluttering beauties feasting on milkweed (Asclepias) and saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia) The tiny tags weighing less than a gram have a plethora of information typed on...

FWC asks fishermen to report giant tiger prawn

Nonnative species of shrimp found in East Bay The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking fishermen to be on the lookout for nonnative giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) after a recent sighting in East Bay near Panama City. The Sept. 19 catch marks the first time a giant tiger prawn was reported to the FWC in Florida’s northern Gulf of Mexico waters. Reports have been common in Atlantic coastal waters, and three were reported off the coast...

Econfina Creek history overview and discussion at Pitt Spring Sept. 30

Learn about the Econfina’s rich history and restoration efforts Econfina Creek has attracted varied cultures and conflicts over the millennia.  Five experts will give an overview of the Creek’s rich historical resources during a panel discussion titled, Econfina Creek: Preserving Water Resource History, at Pitt Spring on Friday, Sept. 30, 10-11:30 a.m. central time.  The event is hosted by Northwest Florida Water Management District. A public discussion will follow presentations by Archaeologist Gregory A. Mikell, Florida State University History Professor...

Welcome first day of fall

The autumnal equinox, the official first day of fall, is Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 On the autumnal equinox, the sun is directly over the earth’s equator, and there are equal hours of day and night. Since the summer solstice, days have been getting shorter, and from now until the vernal equinox, the days will remain shorter than nights....