Photo courtesy NOAA.

Learn about climatic conditions at free class in DeFuniak Springs

The National Weather Service depends on the public to report instances of damage stemming from Mother Nature’s fury.  The information supplied by residents will often help meteorologists’ determine whether the damage, or destruction was caused by a tornado, or downburst of wind.

On Mar. 11  at 7:00 p.m., a forecaster from the National Weather Service Office in Tallahassee, Florida will be in DeFuniak Springs to conduct a Storm Spotter class.  The class will take place in the EOC Building on Davis Lane off U.S. Highway 90.  Those who attend will receive a basic class in determining various climatic conditions.

The class will be  free to the public.  Contact either Cindy Wilson, or Jeff McVay at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications Division at 850- 892-8065.
Read More…

Posted under Nature

Public invited to social hour and dinner

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance invites everyone to join them for CBA’s Annual Meeting on the 25th of February to celebrate CBA’s move and the future of the organization.  Social hour will begin at 5:30, and dinner and the meeting will begin at 6:30. They would appreciate your RSVP by Friday, February 19th; please email cba@nwfsc.edu or call 850-267-1888.
109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach

CBA spent the beginning of 2010 settling in to its new headquarters at the South Walton campus of Northwest Florida State College.

The NWFSC South Walton Center is developed on 16 acres of a nearly 30 acre site owned by the college that is part of the county’s government and education center. South Walton High School, the South Walton Library and the Walton County Government Center are located on adjacent parcels of the more than 110 acres originally acquired by the Walton County Commission from the state of Florida.
Read More…

Posted under Nature

Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon Florida. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

More than 150 people attended the public forum on proposed legislation to allow drilling off Florida coast Feb. 4 at South Walton High School Feb. 4.

There were three presenters on the panel, Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon Florida was at the forum speaking against the proposed drilling on behalf of protectfloridasbeaches.org. David McLain, senior policy director for Apalachicola Riverkeeper, also spoke against proposed drilling. As a former oil spill clean up expert, McLain spoke about the impact of an oil spills on Florida’s coastlines and estuaries. Eric Hamilton, Associate Director, Florida Petroleum Council, spoke in support of the proposed drilling.

Hands Across The Sand, a peaceful protest against the proposed drilling legislation is slated for Feb. 13. For more information, click here

presentation was quite weak, as he had no good answers on the risks. Eric Draper was great as he spoke about what Fla. really is and the importance of protecting our beaches. I liked his quote…”Can Floridian’s afford to bet the farm?” David McLain was wonderful as well talking about …The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center sponsored the event.

Posted under Beaches

Cypress Spring, Washington County, has a glass-clear surface. (Patrick Casey photos)

Spring sampling helps protect resources

Since 2001 the Northwest Florida Water Management District has helped protect the region’s springs by collecting data, conducting spring inventories and monitoring water quality and distribution.  This is part of the statewide Florida Springs Initiative, funded by the Florida Legislature, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Some of the measurements taken by the District are nitrate concentrations, and they tell an important story.

Morrison Springs. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

“The nitrate load discharged from Jackson Blue Spring represents an economic loss to farmers, growers and homeowners,” said Kris Barrios, Director, Field Services Section.
“Instead of being taken up by plants, these nutrients are carried into the aquifer and eventually discharge to Merritt’s Mill Pond.  We calculate 80 tons of nitrogen lost every year at $200-400 per ton.”

Fertilizer sales in Jackson County dropped to 1000 tons a year from 3000 in the mid-1990s when farmers realized they could save money and the environment by using less fertilizer.  Nitrate concentrations have in- creased from about 0.3 mg/L in 1960 to the current concentration of about 3.5 mg/L.

“The cost is greater than just to the property owner,” Barrios added.  “It lowers the quality of natural habitat and increases the probability of algal blooms.”

Any water that seeps into the ground in the Blue Spring contribution zone — about 177 square miles of agricultural land—is destined for the spring.  “It’s like a free hot dog in
every glass,” said Barrios .  “At 3.5 milligrams of nitrate per liter (mg/L), there’s enough to equal the nitrites in an average hot dog for every 16 oz. glass of spring water.”
Read More…

Posted under Nature

Native Wetland Delineations

Joe Wyatt, Senior Ecologist

P.O. Box 268
Niceville, Florida 32588
Cell: 850-496-1864
Email: jwyattnwd@aol.com

• Wetland delineation
• Formal wetland delineation reviews
• Agency meetings for site review
• Mitigation planning and implementation supervision
• Wetland habitat enhancement
• Ecological assessments
• Biological sampling
• Listed species surveys
• Listed species permitting
• Mitigation compliance monitoring
• Aerial interpretations
• Invasive & exotic species surveys and removal
• GPS mapping
• Forest reconnaissance and inspection
• Timber cruising and evaluations
• Timber marketing and sales
• Growth studies
• Damage appraisals
• Reforestation
• Forest management plans
• Prescribed fire planning and implementation
• A wide variety of silvicultural operations

Resumé

Native Wetland Delineations & Panhandle Forestry Specialists
Joe Wyatt
Senior Ecologist & Forester
Post Office Box 268
Niceville, Florida 32588-0268
Phone (850) 496-1864
Fax (850) 678-4649

Education
Mississippi State University, B.S. Forestry & Wildlife Biology, 1998

Training/Certifications
S230 & S290 Certified Prescribed Manager, Starkville, Mississippi, Spring 1998
Certified First Aid including CPR, Spring 2001
Advanced Wetland Soils Training with Dr. Wade Hurt, Gainesville, Florida,
University of Florida, Summer 2003
Advanced Hydric Soils Workshop with Dr. Mike Vepraskas, Savannah, Georgia,
North Carolina State University, Spring 2005
Florida Chamber of Commerce 21st Annual Growth Management and
Environmental Permitting Conference including UMAM Training, Summer
2005
Florida Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) Short Course,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, Summer 2005
S130 & S190 Prescribed Fire Training, Withlacoochie, Florida Spring 2008

Affiliations
Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)
Society of American Foresters (SAF)
The Wildlife Society (TWS)
Ducks Unlimited (DU)

Work Experience
June 2006 – Present
Senior Ecologist, Native Wetland Delineations, Niceville, Florida
Duties include jurisdictional wetland delineations, habitat mapping, listed species surveys, invasive/exotic species surveys, sub-meter GPS location, and ecological assessments for a variety of clientele including public utility companies, private consulting firms, private engineering firms, and private development firms.  Solely responsible for wildlife conservation efforts for a large scale private development in Walton county where duties include planning, implementing, and monitoring conservation strategies for eastern bluebirds, purple martins, wood ducks, monarch butterflies, and a variety of game and nongame mammal species.  Responsible for educational programs pertaining to native flora and fauna within the Florida Panhandle for a variety of ages including school classes as well as private groups of individuals which include guided Choctawhatchee Audubon Society photo safaris.  Fisheries duties small pond management including water quality testing, littoral planting, and habitat enhancement.  Please see the relevant projects information for more details.

June 2006 – Present
Forester, Panhandle Forestry Specialists, Niceville, Florida
Primary duties include prescribing, executing, and supervising a variety of silvicultural operations.  Performing several techniques of timber volume estimation, specializing in one hundred percent saw timber cruising for large scale private landowners.  Secondary duties included annual forest health and maintenance inspections, initial forest management assessments, adverse possession timber estimation, forest damage assessments, logging crew supervision, logging compliance inspections, and GPS traverses.

August 2003 – June 2006
Ecologist & Senior Ecologist, Biological Research Associates, Destin, Florida
Duties covered a wide variety of areas, including jurisdictional wetland delineations, listed species surveys, ecological assessments, and implementation and monitoring of a continuous ground water well monitoring system.  In addition, I performed many Formal Wetland Jurisdictional reviews with both the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Formal Team and members of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.  These projects ranged from single-family lot units up to 4000 acre tracts in a variety of habitats.  I assumed a leadership role while with BRA, working independently and supervising others.   Please see the relevant projects information for more details.

October 2002 – August 2003
Project Scientist II, Environmental Services, Inc., Destin, Florida
Primary duties included jurisdictional wetland delineations, standard reviews with both agencies, and formal reviews with both the FDEP Formal team and USACOE personnel.  In addition, I routinely performed large and small environmental assessments, GPS mapping, listed species surveys, invasive/exotic plant surveys, mitigation planting and monitoring, botanical surveys, and budget preparation for a variety of projects.  Please see the attached relevant project list for more detailed information.

May 2002 – October 2002
Biological Technician, USDA Forest Service, Pagosa Springs Ranger District, Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Studied the effects of prescribed fire on primary and secondary cavity nesting bird species in old growth ponderosa pine ecosystems.  Duties included line transects to determine cavity nest location as well as behavioral observations to determine nest stage and fledgling success.  Performed vocalization surveys and nest searching to determine presence/absence of the Northern Goshawk within a variety of mountainous habitats.  Fisheries duties included working closely with the Colorado Department of Fish & Game to extract reproductive material from the federally endangered Colorado Cutthroat Trout to start a brood rearing hatchery program.  With the exception of the fisheries program, all of these duties were performed as part of a team or alone within the San Juan Forest Roadless Wilderness Areas.

May 2001 – October 2001
Integrated Resource Initiative Technician, USDA Forest Service, Petersburg Ranger District, Petersburg, Alaska.
Duties included the careful collection of all pertinent field data for the Scott Peak Environmental Impact Statement following NEPA protocols in the Tongass National Forest.  Forestry/botany duties included random point sampling for timber estimation and health, topographic measurements for logging system operations, and vegetation analysis (density and diversity) for both rare and forage plant species.  Wildlife biology duties included accipiter vocalization surveys, accipiter valley watches, accipiter nest searches, mammal habitat evaluation (particularly predatory species), listed species surveys and cavity nester habitat suitability evaluation.  All duties performed within the temperate rain forest ecosystems of the Tongass National Forest Roadless Wilderness Areas.

March 2001 – May 2001
Waterfowl Biologist, South Carolina Waterfowl Association, Pinewood, South Carolina.
Primarily responsible for Wood Duck habitat manipulation which included the building installation and maintenance of cavity nesting boxes throughout the State of South Carolina.  Habitat evaluation, leg banding, and the monitoring of reproductive success using the artificial cavities were also major responsibilities of the job.

August 1999 – May 2000
Consulting Forester, James M. Vardaman Forest Management Specialists, Macon, Georgia.
Primary duties include prescribing, executing, and supervising a variety of silvicultural operations.  Performing several techniques of timber volume estimation, specializing in one hundred percent saw timber cruising for large scale private landowners.  Secondary duties included annual forest health and maintenance inspections, initial forest management assessments, forest damage assessments, several techniques of herbicide application, logging compliance inspections, and GPS traverses.  All forest management practices were performed for the appropriate Best Management Practices for the state in which they occurred.

Volunteer Experience
2001 Radio Show Host for Radio Free Alaska, Petersburg, Alaska
Planned and implemented weekly radio show for KFSK in Petersburg, AK

2007-2009 Wildlife Rehabilitators Partnership of NW Florida, Niceville, Florida
Participate in the rehabilitation and release of native, injured wildlife.
Coordinate with several press agencies to obtain publicity for organization.
Participate in fund raising activities for organization.
Participate in public education/awareness programs in variety of settings including
classrooms
2008-2009 Eglin AFB Prescribed Fire Program
Work closely as a team member to safely implement and control a variety of different
prescribed fire operations in differing manmade and natural habitats within the Eglin
AFB reservation.

2007-2009 Audubon Society, Choctawhatchee Chapter
Spring & Fall Migratory Bird Count Participant

Skills
•    Computer Skills: MSWord, WordPerfect, Basic Arcview 8.0, Basic Autocad, etc.
•    GPS Skills:  Trimble Recon Unit, Trimble GeoXT unit, variety of Garmin units,
TerraSync GPS software
•    Orienteering using a compass and/or GPS system
•    Ability to read, interpret and correctly utilize topographic maps, orthographic maps, infrared aerial photos, true color aerial photos, and blue line photos
•    35mm and digital photography documentation
•    Florida native flora and fauna identification
•    Invasive and exotic plant identification
•    North American bird species identification by sight
•    Operation of all types and sizes of four wheel drive vehicles including manual shift vehicles and ATVs
•    Operation of small boats and watercraft including canoes, kayaks, and personal
watercraft
•    Large and small equipment maintenance
•    Use of a variety of hand tools including electric winches, manual winches, high lift jacks, chainsaws, and a Pulaski
•    Basic arc and acetylene welding

Posted under Nature

Locally produced food consumption a healthy and smart choice

Ever wonder why the food always tastes better when you buy it from a local farmer? There are many reasons – one being when you buy local food, you reduce your food miles. The fewer miles your food has to travel, the less environmental damage occurs, and the fresher the product. When you buy at farmers markets, farm stands, or direct from the farm, the food is usually picked that day or the day before.

Purchasing locally grown food also financially supports local farmers. According to sustainabletable.org, when you buy food in a grocery store, about 3.5 cents of each dollar you spend makes it to the farmer. When you buy directly from the farmer, 80-90 cents of each dollar you spend makes it in the farmer’s pocket.

It just makes sense, by keeping your produce purchases local, you are not only providing fresher food for you and your family, you are also helping keep our local farmers sustained.

The following is a list of local area farmers, and where you can purchase the freshest food around.

Fresh broccoli from Adams Farms.

Adams Farms

David and Leonard Adams have a unique approach to farming on their Century Farm that has been a family business for six generations. Using the philosophies of biological ionization from Dr Carey Reams and Dr Alexander Beddoe, their quest has found them turning away from chemical farming and to a more natural approach. This is not only making the food grown more nutritious but also increase the brix rating showing them scientifically that their produce is better quality and better tasting.

Adams Farms grows a spring, fall and winter garden that includes greens, field peas, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, green beans, pole beans, new potatoes and red potatoes. Different varieties of produce will be available at different times of the year. The farm also offers fresh eggs and pecans. Call ahead and find out what is available or request to get on their email list to get updates on what is about to ripen.
Call ahead: Tel: 850-978-2747
Directions: From Hwy. 90 in DeFuniak Springs, take Hwy. 83 north. Turn right on Hwy 185 and go approx. 2 miles. Farm is located at 257 T.R. Miller Road. Website: www.adamsfarminc.com
Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden

Photo courtesy FWC.

FWC investigating illegal action against threatened species

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating the shooting of a female black bear in a Ft. Walton Beach neighborhood Thursday night.

Capt. Leroy Alderson, who heads the FWC’s Investigation Section, said David Jonathan Jay, who lives at 910 Woodbriar Court, called the FWC and said he shot the bear.  Responding officers found the adult female bear dead and her two cubs nearby.

“We are taking statements from witnesses in the area, including Mr. Jay, and once that’s done, we will sit down with the state attorney in Ft. Walton Beach to see if charges are warranted or not,” Alderson said.
FWC wildlife specialist Andrew Jernigan was at the scene most of the day Friday, watching the 55-pound cubs and helping keep well-meaning citizens at bay.

“We feel like the best thing we can do for these cubs is to leave them alone in the place they grew up,” said Dave Telesco, the FWC’s Bear Management Program coordinator.  Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden

Family fun on tap at Seaside Amphitheater

Fall is the perfect time of year for the South Walton Community Council’s Back to Nature Festival.  Held the weekend of October 16-18, the festival will be filled with activities that celebrate the natural beauty of South Walton County.

Created especially with kids in mind, The Family Fun Day event will be held again this year, on Oct. 17, from 10 am – 4 pm at the Seaside Amphitheater.  Free

Interested in conservation, gardening, and education?

Come see what local individuals and organizations are doing to protect our natural communities.  Learn about the mission and educational outreach of the South Walton Community Council and register for Back to Nature events.  Arix Zalace will share the importance of using turtle flashlight stickers on night beach walks. Discover the importance of honeybees with Clear Creek Farms. John Kratt will be on hand to offer naturally grown heirloom vegetable plants and discuss best growing practices for our region. Find out what the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, IFAS-Sea Grant Marine Science, the Surfriders Foundation, and the Master Gardeners do. They will have a variety of touch tanks, displays, and information. Nonie’s Ark will be present from 2:00-4:00 pm with her wonderful collection of animals and abundant knowledge of biodiversity. Be sure to visit the Seaside Neighborhood School’s edible Corner Garden located next to the Lyceum. Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun

A mass of plastic soup is shown in this satellite photo in the Pacific ocean. Photo courtesy NOAA.

Did you know there is a mass of plastic garbage “soup” larger than twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific ocean?

07:00 p.m. – Sept. 24 at Coastal Branch Library
“Addicted to Plastic” is a film of a global journey to investigate what we really know about plastic and why there is so much of it.  The documentary will be shown at the Sept. 24 public forum at the Coastal Branch Library sponsored by the South Walton Community Council.  The program begins at 7 pm and is open to the public at no charge. Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden

Filmmaker Elam Stoltzfus on location in the Big Cypress Swamp.

Local PBS station, WFSU will be airing the film on Saturday, September 26  at 4:00 p.m.

Popular local filmmaker Elam Stoltzfus, along with black and white photographer and Big Cypress Swamp resident, Clyde Butcher, have combined their talents once again to produce a brilliant educational film about one of America’s national treasures – ‘Big Cypress Swamp – The Western Everglades.’

Covering more than one million acres of diverse protected wetlands in Southwest Florida, the documentary explores how the Big Cypress almost didn’t happen, how the lands are currently managed, and overviews animal behaviors, and stunning landscapes. Read More…

Posted under Birding, Nature, Parks