Nature

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5K Family Hike at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Sept. 24

The E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center teams up with the Walton County Health Department for the Biophilia Center 5K Family Hike on Saturday, September 24th. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and last hikers must begin trail by 8:30 a.m. Registration from 7:00-8:00 a.m. First Hikers hit the trail at 8:00 a.m. $5 per person or $20 per family. Educational health programs and interactive exhibit area open for all those not joining in on the hike. Goodie bags handed out to all finishers....

Fall Bay Day celebration at St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Oct. 1

Date/time: Sat., Oct. 1, 2016 – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST Bay County Audubon Society and Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves present the opportunity to tour the Buffer and Aquatic Preserves and learn about birds and life along the bay. Guided tours of backwoods trails of the Buffer Preserve will be offered at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30pm, and 2:00 ET. Our very own Ron Houser will be leading a birding trip! Explore the Shore guided...

Guided hike on prescribed fires at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Sept. 15

Date/time: Thurs., Sept. 15 – 9 – 10 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an informational program about prescribed fires. Prescribed burning is a management tool widely used by foresters, parks departments, range and wildlife managers, ranchers and other landowners to manage excessive natural fuels under very specific and safe conditions. Many states across the United States have a large percentage of public land, making statewide coordinated prescribed burn plans feasible. Prescribed fires at Topsail Hill...

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge looking for volunteers

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is the facility to call if you discover injured wildlife. For more than 20 years, ECWR has cared for a variety of animals – from injured pelicans, to infant raccoons. Supported mostly through the donations of local residents and businesses, ECWR is also involved in education, conservation and rehabilitation of fauna. Currently the refuge is in dire need for volunteers to help care for the animals, educate the public, and tend to their growing needs...

Williford Spring on Econfina Creek a cool family destination

Park features include swimming area, picnic pavilions, grills, boardwalks, and restrooms If you are looking for a beautiful place to enjoy a cool northwest Florida spring, head over to Williford Spring in southern Washington County. Recreational enhancements include spring entry steps, patio terrace, spring view deck, canoe dock, boardwalks, composting toilets, picnic pavilions, parking area, a connector trail to Pitt and Sylvan springs, as well as interpretative trails and native landscaping throughout the site. Click here to download PDF of...

Kellogg Park: A south Walton nature lovers’ generous legacy remains mostly ignored

Santa Rosa Beach residents Patricia and Louis Kellogg lived long and fulfilling lives. After raising five children, the outdoor enthusiasts enjoyed their retirement on the Choctawhatchee Bay. With a passion for nature and double masters degree in education, Patricia Kellogg donated much of her time to developing reading programs for children at the Santa Rosa Beach Coastal Branch Library. She was also an active member of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society (CAS). Kellogg enjoyed sharing the wonders of nature to such...

Learn about the beach mouse at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park July 27

Date/time: July 27, 2016 – 9-10 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park invites you to enjoy an informational program about one of the imperiled species we share the park with. Beach mice inhabit coastal dunes in the panhandle and along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Development of coastal areas has caused a loss of habitat for beach mice and other plants and animals that live in the dunes. Due to this loss of habitat, five of the six subspecies of...