Environment

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Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance celebrates opening of South Walton offices Feb. 25

Public invited to social hour and dinner The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance invites everyone to join them for CBA’s Annual Meeting on the 25th of February to celebrate CBA’s move and the future of the organization.  Social hour will begin at 5:30, and dinner and the meeting will begin at 6:30. They would appreciate your RSVP by Friday, February 19th; please email cba@nwfsc.edu or call 850-267-1888. 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach CBA spent the beginning of 2010 settling in to...

Public forum on proposal to allow oil drilling well attended

More than 150 people attended the public forum on proposed legislation to allow drilling off Florida coast Feb. 4 at South Walton High School Feb. 4. There were three presenters on the panel, Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon Florida was at the forum speaking against the proposed drilling on behalf of protectfloridasbeaches.org. David McLain, senior policy director for Apalachicola Riverkeeper, also spoke against proposed drilling. As a former oil spill clean up expert, McLain spoke about the impact of...

Northwest Florida Water Management District monitors area springs

Spring sampling helps protect resources Since 2001 the Northwest Florida Water Management District has helped protect the region’s springs by collecting data, conducting spring inventories and monitoring water quality and distribution.  This is part of the statewide Florida Springs Initiative, funded by the Florida Legislature, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Some of the measurements taken by the District are nitrate concentrations, and they tell an important story. “The nitrate load discharged from Jackson Blue Spring represents an...

Buying locally grown produce a winner for consumer and farmer

Locally produced food consumption a healthy and smart choice Ever wonder why the food always tastes better when you buy it from a local farmer? There are many reasons – one being when you buy local food, you reduce your food miles. The fewer miles your food has to travel, the less environmental damage occurs, and the fresher the product. When you buy at farmers markets, farm stands, or direct from the farm, the food is usually picked that day...

Nature lovers flock to E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s grand opening and dedication ceremony

Center to provide extraordinary nature-based education Nature lovers from across the Florida Panhandle enjoyed the grand opening of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport Florida Sept. 12. Developed by local conservationist, M.C. Davis on his 48,000-acre conservation land named Nokuse Plantation, the 27,500 sq. ft. Center will cater to students with curriculums that offer a better understanding of the environment. The Center will educate on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and encourage conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural...

Searching for Diamondback Terrapin turtles in the Florida Panhandle

Local educator studies terrapin population in Northwest Florida As the sun rises on a gulf coast salt marsh there is barely a breeze.  The placid water is slick as glass and resembles a sheet of gray ice.  The only movement is the occasional swirls of mullet and redfish that are awaken as our canoe slides over their evening resting spots.  Osprey whistle and dive searching for a morning breakfast to take back to their nest of chicks that sits on...

Ugh… the dog flies have arrived in the Florida Panhandle

Dog flies a nuisance to both humans and pets from August to November When fall comes to our area, those refreshing weather fronts will move through from the north bringing lower humidity, lower temperatures and the infamous dog fly. The stable fly, known as the dog fly in Northwest Florida, is a blood feeding fly that is a nuisance to man, pets, and livestock. From August through November the dog fly congregates on the Florida Panhandle beaches. This fly originates...

Walton County leaders seek grants for Natural Bridge Creek

DeFuniak Springs – Walton County Commissioners voted  July 28, to seek state grants to acquire and preserve a popular and historic recreation area in north Walton County called Natural Bridge Creek.  The natural spring-fed creek has been a local favorite for summer fun and recreation for generations and historically important for it’s natural limestone bridge....