Nature

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Camp Helen State Park history tour Mar. 3

Learn about the history of a beautiful local State Park Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Camp Helen State Park invites you to their history walk at Camp Helen State Park. Come learn about the early history of the park and local area while wandering on a guided tour around Camp Helen’s restored historical buildings. The history walk takes place the first Saturday of each month. Participation Requirements: • Must have the ability to follow visual...

Learn about native snakes at Topsail Feb. 18

Learn fascinating facts about Florida’s snakes Time – 1:30 p.m. Come and join the park for a presentation of native snakes. Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located on the western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A. ::MAP::...

Walton naturalist recognized as one of the top 20 bird nest monitors in the U.S.

Bluebird program at Hammock Bay a national success Walton resident and naturalist Joe Wyatt has been recognized for his efforts monitoring bluebird nests. Wyatt manages a nesting program each year at Hammock Bay in Freeport. In 2011, Wyatt monitored 101 nests, placing him as one of the top 20 nationwide in Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program. Wyatt is the only Floridian in the top 20. NestWatch is a nest-monitoring project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in collaboration...

Learn about sharks at Topsail Feb. 3

Learn about these fascinating creatures of the Gulf Thurs. Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having a presentation on sharks. Sharks are fascinating creatures that can range in size from 6 in. small to an enormous 39 ft. long. Come out and join Topsail for a presentation to learn more about the sharks that roam the coastal waters of Florida. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A...

Camp Helen State Park history tour Feb. 4

Learn about the history of a beautiful local State Park Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Camp Helen State Park invites you to their history walk at Camp Helen State Park. Come learn about the early history of the park and local area while wandering on a guided tour around Camp Helen’s restored historical buildings. The history walk takes place the first Saturday of each month. Participation Requirements: • Must have the ability to follow visual...

An osprey feeds on its favorite meal

Nice catch! Cynthia Howard of Fort Walton Beach captured this great photograph of an osprey and its lunch on Okaloosa Island on Feb. 25. One of the largest birds of prey in North America, the Osprey eats almost exclusively fish. It is one of the most widespread birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. Ospreys are year-round residents in Northwest Florida. Cool Facts •    The Osprey readily builds its nest on manmade structures, such as telephone poles,...