Nature

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Earth Day at Topsail spelled fun for kids

Kids have fun learning at Earth Day celebration Lots of activities entertained and educated children on Saturday Apr. 18 as folks celebrated Earth Day at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. There were booths and programs that included storytellers, puppet shows, book readings and music. Nonie Maines of  Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters educates the children on frogs. Nonie hosts “EVEntuers” and animal encounter parties. To learn more about Nonie’s Ark, go to noniesark.com. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted bird...

E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center construction nears completion

Facility will provide extraordinary learning opportunities The long awaited $7 million dollar, 28,500 sq. ft. E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center has taken shape, with construction completion slated for June and grand opening in September. Developed by local conservationist, M.C. Davis on his 48,000-acre conservation land named Nokuse Plantation, the Center will offer students and visitors spectacular interactive exhibits which will offer a better understanding of the environment as well as educate on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and to encourage conservation,...

Locals enjoy a colorful hangout

Springtime in the trees Local photographer and tree climber, Brandan Babineaux shared his love for getting into the trees with a few local kids on April 8. Zane Johnson, son of Billy Johnson is shown above in this vivid and colorful photo at one of their secret spots near Bowman Bayou in Santa Rosa Beach. For more information about Brandan and his photography, go to: http://brandanbabineaux.com...

A journey to the Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve

A fun and peculiar adventure not to be missed Up in the Northern part of Walton County sits an extraordinary and interesting place called the Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve. What a great morning I had off the beaten path, exploring living things, rusted things, and eco-friendly methods of laying the deceased to rest. Where else can you find a bamboo farm, Rustaphorian sculptures, a chufa farmer and a green burial ground? John Wilkerson, along with his brother Bill and John’s...

Mallard ducklings don’t make good Easter presents

Think twice before putting Florida’s native wildlife in jeopardy With Easter approaching, many parents contemplate purchasing mallard ducklings as gifts for their children.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) suggests buying your child the stuffed-animal version instead. “Although these ducklings might make nice pets while they’re young, they can live 10 years and quickly outgrow the cute-and-fuzzy stage, leaving full-size droppings on your patio and outdoor furniture,” FWC waterfowl management coordinator Joe Benedict said.  “When this happens, parents...

In search of the elusive beach mouse

FWC and DEP partner to study beach mice population The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the State Park division of the Department of Environmental Protection have teamed up to study beach mouse population at the state parks in Walton County. Patrick Hartsfield, Park Service Specialist at Grayton Beach State Park, along with Dan Greene, Wildlife Biologist with FWC, have been working together to monitor the mouse population at Grayton Beach State Park and Deer Lake State Park. Specially...

Local school children share their gardening wisdom

Walton County school kids busy with spring gardens Spring has arrived, and local children are busy with their school garden projects. Everything from planting zinnias to decorating outdoor furniture, to harvesting collards, the children are engaging in the excitement of watching things grow, and seeing the fruits of their labor. I took a look around at a few of the Walton County schools to see what they were up to, and there is much more than mulch getting spread around!...