wildlife

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Imperiled reptile species monitored in Point Washington and Pine Log State Forest

FWC documents species of greatest conservation need  Every day is a new discovery for Charlene Hopkins, wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As the field biologist for the Ephemeral Pond Sampling Project in the Point Washington State Forest and Pine Log State Forest, Hopkins’ job is to document the presence of imperiled reptile species in the forests. In 2002, the project started in the two upland sandhill pine forests with emphasis on documenting the presence of...

Hike, camp along the Apalachicola River bluffs at Torreya State Park

Note: March 4, 2019 – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service hosted a ceremony today celebrating the reopening of the campground at Torreya State Park following the impacts of Hurricane Michael. The campground, which sits along the park’s iconic steep bluffs rising more than 150 feet above the Apalachicola River, offers 30 campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as restroom facilities.   Torreya State Park, which experienced significant damage from Hurricane Michael – including downed trees and debris, and facility, boardwalk, road and trail damage – was...

Get aboard Nonie’s Ark for a wildlife adventure

Local wildlife educator makes learning about wildlife a fun event Nonie Maines has loved wildlife as long as she can remember. Growing up in South Florida, Nonie’s step-father would bring home unwanted or abandoned exotic pets while working as a pool installer. Nonie and her mother would nurse the critters back to health and raise them. Learning about animal husbandry along the way, Nonie went on to get a summer job at the animal nursery at Busch Gardens right out...

Learn about vultures at Topsail Nov. 2

Time: 1:30 p.m. Come learn about vultures at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Nov. 2. These often misunderstood birds play a vital role in the health of our forests. Meet at the Day-Use entrance off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 per car entry admission into the park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL  32459 Phone: (850) 267-8330...

Abundant life is just beyond your porch

No need to venture far to find interesting critters Backyard Safari by FWC Fall weather is settling in, and many animals have begun or will soon start foraging for winter. But it is still quite warm in the Sunshine State, and wildlife is frisky and abundant, especially in your backyard. Take a walk outside. Look in bushes, shrubs, grass, on flowers, in and under potted plants and on the walls of your house. And, don’t forget to look up. Birds...

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)...

Gopher Tortoise Management Plan draft ready for public input

Did you know a gopher tortoise burrow provides a home for hundreds of other species? A new draft of the five-year update to the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan for the state is available for review. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking for public input. The threatened gopher tortoise is classified as a keystone species, because its extensive burrows offer shelter to more than 350 other species such as the federally threatened eastern indigo snake. Gopher tortoises...