northwest florida

Tag

DEP, FWC accepting public comment on Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Plan

Voice your thoughts on how RESTORE Act funding should be used on Feb. 28 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 in Panama City Beach to gather input on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Path Forward document and Florida’s projects to be submitted to the Council for its consideration. The meeting will be co-hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and will be held in the Student Union...

Enjoy a New Year’s Day hike at a Northwest Florida State Park

Florida’s State parks celebrating First Day Hike 2013 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service invites the public to get back to nature and start the New Year out right by participating in America’s State Parks First Day Hikes 2013 on Jan. 1, 2013. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1 at a state...

DEP secures conservation easement over Seven Runs Creek

Final land acquisition from the $10 million secured under the MOEX consent decree TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida has acquired conservation land over Seven Runs Creek in Walton County as part of a recently announced $10 million settlement with MOEX, a company invested in the well involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “This is a perfect example of the private sector working with government. In this case, DEP, for the benefit of biodiversity for all citizens,” said M.C....

Look to the sky for migrating white pelicans in Northwest Florida

Migration time for white pelicans By Stan Kirkland, FWC One of the many benefits of living in the Florida panhandle and particularly near the coast is the vast variety of wildlife we often see. Daily, you’re apt to see bald eagles, ospreys, fox squirrels, black bears, wild turkeys, deer and numerous other species. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. One species you may miss that’s migrating through our area now are white pelicans. Just...

Gray squirrel season opens early and other hunting dates to know

Outta The Woods by Tony Young, FWC Football season is in full swing, and the 2012-13 hunting season is cranking up. Heck, in Zone A, they’re already into general gun season. But for the rest of us, I’d like to cover some things you should know regarding three hunting seasons that are just around the corner: muzzleloading gun, gray squirrel and the first phase of dove. Immediately following the close of crossbow season in each zone, the muzzleloading gun season...

Early autumn in Walton County abounds with color

Autumn brings colorful display to forest floors Fall brings a colorful time to explore the outdoors in  Northwest Florida. In Walton County, we are fortunate to have several State Parks and the Point Washington State Forest providing and abundance of seasonal wildflowers and migrating butterflies. To name just a few native flowers in bloom this time of year are wild buckweat (Eriogonum tomentosum), hairy jointweed (Polygonella basiramia), senna symeria (seymeria cassioides), goldenaster (Chrysopsis sabrella), goldenrod (Soldago tortifolia), figwort (Agalinis satacea)...

License-free saltwater fishing fun Saturday, Sept. 1

Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Get out on the water and experience some of Florida’s finest fishing. Saltwater recreational anglers can fish without a recreational fishing license on Sept. 1 as part of the state’s license-free fishing days. “Florida’s license-free fishing days are an excellent opportunity to share the fun, excitement and togetherness of a fishing trip with the entire family. This also is a great time for experienced anglers to introduce friends to the sport,...