Plant seedlings, tour exhibit hall, take a guided hike and view a film

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will be hosting a “Creating a Garden with Children” open house event on Sat. Mar. 27, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist children in planting seedlings in the center’s new vegetable garden.  Public is welcome.

Come see first hand the facility and staff in action and get a glimpse of what the center offers the students in your county.

For more information, please visit the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center website at www.eowilsoncenter.org or call (850)835-1824.

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Katahdin sheep at the R&R Ranch. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

R&R Ranch in Gaskin raises grass fed Katahdin sheep

As many folks are searching more to find locally produced, healthier food, it is a reassuring to know Walton County residents have several local farms providing quality produce.

One such local farm that takes a natural approach is the R&R Ranch. Tucked away in the small country community of Gaskin, the ranch is owned and operated by Ronald and Rosemary Prokop.

The 43-acre farm specializes in raising grass fed Katahdin sheep; a breed that is woolless, easy to care for and naturally tolerant of climatic extremes.

The Prokops focus on feeding quality, natural ingredients to their flock. Using no growth hormones or steroids, the flock feeds on all natural forage grasses and legumes including rye, oats and wheat clover in the winter; and Bahiagrass, Bermuda grass, brown top millet, iron and clay cowpeas, deer vetch, Alice White clover, forage soybean, and deer plot sorghum in the summer months. The flock is also supplemented with mineral rich sea salt Sea90 and blackstrap molasses. Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden

Bass tournament to benefit Crestview High School track team

Come enjoy great bass fishing on Black Creek, compete for cash and prizes, and support the Crestview High School Track Team. Meet at Black Creek Lodge in Freeport at daylight on Mar. 13. $50 per person. 50% payback, gift cards from Bass Pro Shop and Walmart. Special raffle for Quantum $320.00 rod and reel combo. Weigh in at 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Ernie Martin at 850-689-2570 eve. 850-689-7177 ext. 2460 day.

Posted under Fishing

Ever dream of becoming a rock star?

The Merchants of Seaside and the Seaside Repertory Theatre presents Seaside Rocks tournaments March 19 and April 9 at the Seaside Amphitheater.  The two separate tournaments give amateurs and experts alike the chance to show off their skill and originality as they compete to win a grand prize of a gift certificate at Best Buy. The tournament is open to players over the age of 13, and there is a $10 registration fee to enter. The final rounds of the tournament will be open to the public in the Seaside Amphitheater at 7:00 p.m., and will conclude with an audience vote to decide the winner. A maximum of 100 contestants may enter for each week. Anyone interested in signing up for the event can visit www.seasiderep.org or call 850-231-0733.
Read More…

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

Cooper's hawk. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley.

Beautiful adult Cooper’s hawk
spotted near Lake Powell

Among the bird world’s most skillful flyers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds). Information courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Posted under Nature

Sweet gal likes to do the fox trot

Trixie is an approximate 5 year and 3 month chow chow mix. She only has one eye, but is very sweet and lovable. She loves to run and play with you and other dogs. She thinks that she’s part fox as you can see she’s doing her fox trot for you.

Alaqua Animal Refuge is a no-kill animal refuge, located on a 10 acre farm housing more than 300 animals daily, ranging from dog, cats, horses, goats and birds. Alaqua Animal Refuge relies on the kindness and generosity of its supporters.

If you would like to adopt Trixie or any of the other available friends, contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399 or go online at www.aarflorida.com.
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439

Open Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Bring the family for a tour of the facility.

Posted under Home/Garden

24 lifeguards endured chilly temperatures during training Mar. 5.

28 lifeguards getting ready for 2010 season start Mar. 13

24 of the 28 South Walton Fire District lifeguards started pre-season training and orientation on Mar. 5. With the Gulf water temperature of 59 degrees, each lifeguard has passed a rigorous physical ability test of running and swimming and began their additional physical training, emergency medical training, communications, customer interaction and service strategies.

With Beach Safety Director, Gary Wise watching from the shoreline, the lifeguards did a  beach run, a swim, one hour of board rescues and one hour of buoy rescues.
The lifeguards will be stationed at eight public beach accesses in South Walton Saturday March 13th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.  The lifeguard locations are: Inlet Beach, Bramble Grove/Santa Clara Street, Van Ness Butler Jr., Blue Mountain, Gulf View Heights, Ed Walline, Dune Allen and Miramar Beach public beach accesses.

For more information regarding SWFD and Beach Safety, visit their website at www.swfd.org

For additional information about the South Walton beach accesses, click here

Posted under Beaches

Walton County beach parks with lifeguards, easy access, parking, and restroom facilities

Walton County’s beaches in Miramar Beach and along Scenic Highway 30A offer many public beach accesses. Locals have their favorites, whether it be good surf, quiet strolls or the safety of a lifeguard available. South Walton Fire District lifeguards patrol eight locations. These eight locations offer adequate parking, restroom facilities, and three offer handicap access with wheelchairs available: Ed Walline at the corner of Scenic Hwy. 30A and CR 393, Bramble Grove/Santa Clara Street in Seagrove and Miramar, near Pompano Joe’s on Scenic Gulf Drive. Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., seven days a week from the second Saturday in March until the last Sunday in September.

Here is a list of beach access locations with lifeguards from west to east:

Miramar Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located on Scenic Gulf Drive off of U.S. 98 in western Walton County • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Dune Allen Access – ::MAP:: Located west of County Road 393 on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • Handicap access

Ed Walline Access – ::MAP:: Located at the intersection of 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Gulfview Heights Access - ::MAP:: Located 1/2 mile east of intersection County Roads 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Gulfview Heights Street • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking

Blue Mountain Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located at the south end of CR 83 • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Limited Parking

Van Ness Butler, Jr. Access – ::MAP:: Located between Seaside and WaterColor on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Ample parking lot on the north side of Scenic Hwy. 30A

Grove Road/Santa Clara Street – ::MAP:: Seagrove on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Inlet Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located 3/4 mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Orange Street • Lifeguards • Portable restrooms • Parking

Posted under Beaches

This outdoor interpretive will focus on tracking animals and finding out how many are in an area any what type with avid tracker Mike Townsend. Meet at the Day-Use parking lot off Hwy 30A and be sure to wear sunscreen and boots.  Be ready to hike at least 2 miles. $6.00 entry admission into the park

Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A.

Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Learn about park wildlife at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A, Santa Rosa Beach

Saturday, March 13 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. ::MAP::

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun