Join the South Walton Community Council for a fun weekend of nature based activities Oct. 15-17. The Back to Nature Festival offers visitors and locals an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Walton County.
Kayak the dune lakes, take a river safari, go on an ecology walk, or bring the family to Seaside for a day of family fun.
Most events are about two hours long and cost $10 unless otherwise noted. Events will be closed after maximum participant limits are reached so register early! Registration will begin in mid-September. To register, Click here
Friday, Oct. 15
6 p.m. – Welcome Night at Bud and Alley’s - Come to the welcome night for the 9th Annual Back to Nature Festival at Bud and Alley’s Restaurant in Seaside! Enjoy a strolling dinner with complimentary house selected wine or beer and cash bar. You will have the opportunity to meet event leaders and fellow nature enthusiasts, register for events, and preview selected items for our silent auction to be held on Saturday. All proceeds from the silent auction and a percentage of proceeds from the strolling dinner go to benefit the mission of the SWCC, to preserve and protect our natural environment. $25 per person.::MAP::Read More…
Choctawhatchee Audubon educational program at Northwest Florida State College September 2
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Throughout the year, CAS offers a variety of educational programs at Northwest Florida State College. These events are on a wide range of topics related to our natural world and environment, and feature a guest speaker who is an expert in their field.
September 2: “Red Tide and Other Harmful Algal Blooms” Dr Allison Beauregard, Chair of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Institute at NWFSC, will report on the occurrence of harmful algal blooms in Florida and on Ride Tide related research in Choctawhatchee Bay. NWF State College, Niceville, (NWFSC) in the Learning Resource Center, LRC Room 128. Socializing, refreshments and conservation topics begin at 6:30 p.m. prior to the featured speaker at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact: Gary Parsons (850) 678-1461
—- Choctawhatchee Audubon North American Fall Migration Count Sept. 18
North American Fall Migration Count Contact Don Ware to volunteer at (850) 862-6582
A look at the dedicated volunteers that nurse injured wildlife back to health
Ever wonder what to do if you found an injured bird, turtle or squirrel? As we edge closer to spring, this could be the case, as sometimes young are found abandoned, or a baby bird has fallen from a nest.
It is comforting to know that there is help available, and there are two groups in the Walton area that are able to nurse the animal back to health.
Wildlife Rehabilitators Partnership of Northwest Florida is a full-time volunteer organization that has been rehabilitating injured wildlife in the Niceville area since 2005.
Founding members Lisa Miller and Kim Henderson operate an all-volunteer network of animal rehabilitators, and are certified by State of Florida and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to handle rehabilitation of animals.
Miller harbors many of the injured or abandoned wildlife at her home, which a large portion of, been converted into a sanctuary.
“We have the ability to watch over the animals 24/7,” Miller explained.
“Our mission to rehabilitate and release. The animals that are not able to be released, we incorporate into our educational program.” Miller continued.
The group gives interactive presentations about wildlife to groups as a service to the community.
Wildlife Rehabilitators can be reached at 850.678.6584 or 850.974.6584, or 850.729.0197.
For more information about Wildlife Rehabilitators, go to: http://wildliferehabilitatorspartnership.com/
I visited with the Lisa Miller and her partners at a recent event. Below is a portion of one of their demonstrations:
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is another facility to call if you are in need of assistance. For more than 14 years, the ECWR has cared for a variety of wildlife – from stranded dolphins to injured eagles, to orphaned foxes.
Patrick Gault with a barred owl.
Supported mostly through the donations of local residents and businesses, the ECWR is also involved in education, conservation and rehabilitation of natural fauna.
The ECWR is located on Okaloosa Island at 105 Santa Rosa Blvd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. To contact ECWR, call 850.650.1880, or visit their website at www.ecwildliferefuge.com
I took a visit over to the refuge and met with Patrick Gault, the assistant director of the refuge. Gault and two volunteers, Lisa Werenskjold and Paul Brachcolmb showed me some of the residents and guests at the refuge.
Not only our most valuable water sources, spring fed waterways provide extraordinary adventure
Some of the most beautiful places to explore Northwest Florida are along our spring fed waterways. These creeks, streams and rivers provide incredible recreation and eco tourism along with the valuable drinking water our communities rely on.
Florida boasts more than 700 springs, with close to 40 in the Walton, Holmes, Washington and Bay counties. Blue Spring and Jackson spring in Holmes County feeds into the Choctawhatchee River and is Florida’s 12th largest spring with 122 million gallons per day discharge. Holmes Creek has more than a dozen springs and is the largest tributary into the Choctawhatchee River. The Gainer Springs Group on Econfina Creek (including springs locally known as McCormick and Emerald) is the most significant, measuring a first magnitude flow of 114 million gallons a day (mgd). Econfina creek feeds into Deer Point Lake which is the major source of water supply for Bay County.
Karst diagram courtesy U.S. Geological Society
What are springs?
Springs are portals where water in the earth’s aquifers, rises to the surface and escapes into our streams, lakes and coastal waters. There are two general types of springs in Florida, seeps (water-table springs) and karst springs (artesian springs). The springs in Northwest Florida are karst springs. Karst topography is a landscape created by groundwater dissolving into sedimentary rock such as limestone. This creates landforms such as shafts, tunnels, caves, and sinkholes. The Dougherty Karst Plain underlies our area.
What is a spring classification?
Springs are most often classified based upon the average discharge of water. Individual springs exhibit variable discharge depending upon rainfall, recharge and groundwater withdrawals within their recharge areas. One discharge measurement is enough to place a spring into one of the eight magnitude categories. However, springs have dynamic flows. A spring categorized as being a first-magnitude spring at one moment in time may not continue to remain in the same category. This can result in a spring being classified as a first magnitude spring at one point in time and a second magnitude at another. Read More…
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society offers a wide variety of events open to the public
The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty. During the year the CAS offers a wide variety of bird walks, bird counts, field trips and Eventures geared for children.
Below is a list of ongoing activities CAS will be hosting throughout the year. For more information, go to www.choctawhatcheeaudubon.org.
Choctawhatchee Audubon bird walk Aug. 21
Navarre and Opal Beaches with Don Ware. Meet at Uptown Station Fort Walton Beach 7:30 a.m. For more information, call (850) 862-6582 Read More…
Birds like this snowy plover are abundant in the Panhandle at sites along the Great Fla. Birding Trails. Photo by Jeff Gore and Nancy Douglass
Be a part of the Audubon bird count!
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, encouraged by Audubon of Florida, is organizing weekly surveys of certain shorebirds along the Gulf Coast. Currently they are in need of volunteers for the State Park areas in Walton County.
A good pair of binoculars or a scope will allow counting of our shorebirds with minimum requirement for long walks in the sand. The 28 species on the form attached will not be difficult to learn to identify, even for the inexperienced birder lover. Please RSVP to Don Ware, bird count coordinator at donware@embarqmail.com
Driving down the sloping gravel road, I felt the temperature drop slightly, and soon noticed the changes in the flora as I ventured into the swamp forest of the Choctawhatchee River Basin.
About 1.7 miles down, I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland as she tumbled down the rabbit hole.
I finally arrived at the end of the road to Lost Lake; an oxbow-shaped lake filled with old-growth cypress trees and murky calm water. So quiet and peaceful, this place appeared frozen in time.
I felt I was intruding on Mother Nature’s artistry… an exemplary example of a swamp river forest, with the only interruption to this peaceful calm were water bugs, as they skated across the surface of the lake. Read More…
Fall colors are in abundance along the trail at Eden Gardens State Park. Photo by Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
A list of a great 28 – A variety of parks await the explorer in Walton County
Anyone living in Walton County, or the Florida Panhandle for that matter, share something in common. We all live in a place that hosts the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere. The shimmering Gulf of Mexico, the soft white sand, the rolling dunes… this area is a location that is hard to beat.
With many beach accesses and several state parks in the area, the beaches can be enjoyed easily.
Walton County offers much more to experience, however, with an abundance of local parks north of the beach offering a touch of nature and beauty all their own.
From the cool, clear water of Morrison Springs in the northeast end of the county, to Lost Lake near Bruce, there is a wide variety of flora and fauna can be experienced in the many parks Walton County has to offer.
Many of the parks have playgrounds and sports facilities, along with walking trails, swimming holes and boat ramps.
So, pack a lunch, or put on your hiking boots, here is a list of a great 28 that are right here in Walton County:
1. Lake Jackson
From U.S. Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs go north on U.S. Highway 331 for 18 miles. Turn left onto Lake Road and follow until park comes into view.
• Boat ramp
2. Lakewood Park – Florida’s Highest Point
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs. Once past DeFuniak, go 18 miles and turn right on County Road 285. Park will be on left side of road.
• Picnic area, restrooms
Cat Island.
3. Cat Island
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 3.3 miles. Turn left onto Cat Island Road. Follow this road to its end, approximately 1 mile.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
4. Juniper Lake
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 2.6 miles. Turn left onto Juniper Lake Road, traveling for approximately 0.8 miles. The county lands sit along both sides of the earthen dam.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
5. Wee Care Playground
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 1.5 miles.
Turn left onto Walton Road and proceed for approximately 0.4 miles. The children’s park is located on the right, across from Walton High School.
• Playground, restrooms, picnic area
6. Recreation Complex- DeFuniak Springs
Located at 965 Gene Hurley Road, west of DeFuniak Springs off U.S. Highway 90.
• Playground, picnic area, restrooms, ball fields, skating and rollerblading ramps, nature trail
Ducks on Lake DeFuniak
7. Chipley Park (Lake DeFuniak)
Located in downtown DeFuniak Springs on Circle Drive.
• Playground, boat ramp
8. Douglass Crossroad Ball Park
Head east on U.S. Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs for 4.1 miles. Turn right on CR183S for 2.8 miles. Immediately after crossing over I-10, turn left on Douglass Crossroad and go approximately 1.5 miles. The park is on the right.
• Playground, restrooms, ball fields
9. Berrian Lake
From the Walton County Courthouse, Berrian Lake can be accessed most easily by following U.S. Highway 90 into Holmes County and reentering Walton County from CR 181A. Head east on U.S. 90 for 10.5 miles. Turn right onto CR 181A and go for 1.1 miles until reaching Old Mt. Zion Road. Turn left and follow for 2.1 miles until road forks. Follow the right fork for 1.9 miles to CR 181. Bear left and go for 0.6 miles, then turn onto Berrian Lake Road. Continue on this road, following the signs to the landing.
• Boat ramp
10. Cedar Log
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go right on CR 181 for 2.1 miles then right on Cedar Log Road (dirt) for 1.3 miles to ramp.
• Boat ramp
Nothing better than a rope swing into 68 degree clear water on a hot summer's day.
11. Morrison Springs
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to County Road 181C. Turn right and continue for 1.6 miles. Then, turn right onto Morrison Springs Road and follow to its end.
• Picnic area, restrooms, swimming, diving, boat ramp
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to River Road, proceed to the end of the road.
• Picnic area, boat ramp
Comander's Landing
13. Bruce Creek Park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to Louis Miller Road and turn right.
• Boat ramp
Dead River park
14. Dead River Park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81 follow Dead River Road. Turn left beside the Dead River Cemetery and follow the clay road to the road’s end.
• Picnic area, boat ramp, portable toilet
15. Seven Runs Park
Seven Runs park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. The park is on the left (west) side of the road at the foot of the Seven Runs Creek Bridge. The newly opened Florida Trail at Nokuse is just south of Seven Runs Park.
• Picnic area, Boat ramp, Portable toilet
Lost Lake at Tilley Landing
16. Tilley Landing/Lost Lake
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and take State Road 81 until you see the sign on right.
• Primitive camping, portable toilet, boat ramp, picnic area
For more information on Lost Lake click here. 17. H. A. Laird Park
Laird Park in Freeport.
Located on SR 20 West about 1.5 miles west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 331 and State Road 20 West.
• Playground, picnic pavilions, restrooms, short trail
18. Alaqua Creek Park
From Freeport: Head west on SR 20 for approximately 2 miles. Park is on the north side of State Road 20.
• Picnic area, boat ramp, , restroom, swimming, portable toilet
Alaqua Creek park.
19. Alaqua Park
From Freeport, head west on SR 20 for approximately 3.6 miles. Turn left onto Portland Park Road. Follow this clay road to its end.
• Picnic area, boat ramp
20. Choctaw Beach Park
More than a boat ramp, the Choctaw Beach Park offers spectacular sunsets and many public amenities on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay. From Freeport, head west on SR 20 for approximately 12 miles. The park is on the left, fronting the bay.• Picnic area, restrooms, pavilion, playground
21. Freeport pool
Managed by the YMCA
Located behind Freeport City Hall on SR 20 in Freeport.
• Open Mid May – Labor Day, $1 for 3 hours of swim time. For more information call (850) 835-1223
22. Casey Kids Park
Casey Kid’s Park is located next to city hall on State
Road 20 in Freeport
• Playground, picnic area
23. Wheeler Point Park
This easy-to-find park sits at the north foot of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on U.S. Highway 331.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
Eden Gardens State park
24. Eden Gardens State Park
This historic park hosts the majestic 110-year-old Wesley House. Completely decorated with period furniture and accessories, Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. Highway 98 on C.R. 395.
• Picnic area, restrooms, pavilions, nature trails, gardens, historic home tours of Antebelum mansion
25. Cessna Landing
Take County Road 393 north from U.S. Highway 98 approximately 3 miles. Cessna
Landing is on the left.
• Picnic areas, restrooms, playground with ball courts, boat ramp
26. Helen McCall Park
Helen McCall Park is off U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach west of County Road 393. Turn south onto Moll Drive and follow to the park.
• Playground, ball fields, restrooms
27. Legion Park
Legion Park is located in Miramar Beach approximately 1 mile west of Sandestin off U.S. Highway 98. Going west turn left on Ponce deLeon Drive. Park is located at the end of the street.
• Playground, picnic area, restrooms, basketball court, shuffleboard court, boat ramp
28. Freeport Regional Sports Complex
Freeport Regional Sports Complex is located off State Road 20 in Freeport, on CR 83A.
Baseball/softball fields, football/soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball court, basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, playground, barbecue/picnic areas, playground, restroom, walking trail.
Scenic river in Crestview offers a journey through a wetland hardwood forest
The appropriately named Shoal River offers an abundance of sandy sandbars, (shoals) along with cool water along a meandering 10-mile paddle in Crestview. This 10-mile stretch is the only open publicly accessible run on the river. It is easily accessible with a boat ramp at each end, with put in at U.S. Hwy. 90 and take out a SR-85 in Crestview.
As part of the Florida Greenways and Trails system, the paddle offers scenic views of a variety of wetland hardwoods such as Titi, black gum, live oak, magnolia and coastal plain willow. Fauna includes a variety of birds such as kingfishers, blue herons and egrets, along with an occasional alligator and turtle.
Not only our most valuable water sources, spring fed waterways provide extraordinary adventure
Some of the most beautiful places to explore Northwest Florida are along our spring fed waterways. These creeks, streams and rivers provide incredible recreation and eco tourism along with the valuable drinking water our communities rely on.
Florida boasts more than 700 springs, with close to 40 in the Walton, Holmes, Washington and Bay counties. Blue Springs in Jackson County feeds into the Choctawhatchee River and is Florida’s 12th largest spring with 122 million gallons per day discharge. Holmes Creek has more than a dozen springs and is the largest tributary into the Choctawhatchee River. The Gainer Springs Group on Econfina Creek (including springs locally known as McCormick and Emerald) is the most significant, measuring a first magnitude flow of 114 million gallons a day (mgd). Econfina creek feeds into Deer Point Lake which is the major source of water supply for Bay County.
Karst diagram courtesy U.S. Geological Society
What are springs?
Springs are portals where water in the earth’s aquifers, rises to the surface and escapes into our streams, lakes and coastal waters. There are two general types of springs in Florida, seeps (water-table springs) and karst springs (artesian springs). The springs in Northwest Florida are karst springs. Karst topography is a landscape created by groundwater dissolving into sedimentary rock such as limestone. This creates landforms such as shafts, tunnels, caves, and sinkholes. The Dougherty Karst Plain underlies our area.
What is a spring classification?
Springs are most often classified based upon the average discharge of water. Individual springs exhibit variable discharge depending upon rainfall, recharge and groundwater withdrawals within their recharge areas. One discharge measurement is enough to place a spring into one of the eight magnitude categories. However, springs have dynamic flows. A spring categorized as being a first-magnitude spring at one moment in time may not continue to remain in the same category. This can result in a spring being classified as a first magnitude spring at one point in time and a second magnitude at another. Read More…
Nature festival a weekend of outdoor fun
