Nature festival a weekend of outdoor fun

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…

Posted under Biking, Birding, Eco tourism adventure, Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, paddle/surf/boat

Ponce DeLeon Springs. ©Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Enjoy a free lunch and a swim at the springs

Time: 10  a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, along with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department and the Holmes County School System, will be sponsoring the 14th annual Picnic in the Park. As a way of saying “Thank you” to all visitors, free lunch will be served to everyone. This will be a fun event for all ages.
Fees: Entrance fees to the park will be waived for the duration of the event.
Contact: (850) 836-4281
Directions: Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Area is located one-half mile south of U.S. 90 on County Road 181A. ::MAP::

To learn more about Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Click here

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Rib-bit!

Location/time: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park  – 7:30 p.m.

Come and join the folks at Topsail  for a program on native frogs and toads of northwest Florida. Learn all about these noisy yet elusive creatures. Discover where they might be found, how to distinguish species by their unique calls, and their adaptations for survival in this fun and informative outdoor slideshow presentation.  Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the outdoor amphitheater.

All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park.

::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun

Diamond back rattle snake is venomous. Photo courtesy FWC.

Native snakes of Florida program offers fascinating facts

Thursday, Aug. 19 – 1:30 p.m.

Come and join the park for a presentation of native snakes. Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park.

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A in Santa Rosa Beach – Click here for map

Contact: 850-267-8330

Posted under Environment, Nature, Parks

New entrance gates and columns replicate the old at Eden Gardens State Park. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Friends of Eden raise funds for enhancement

Eden Gardens State Park is sporting a new and familiar look. New wrought iron entrance gates have been installed at the entrance to the park which replicate the gates the park had before it went through improvements in 2009.

The Friends of Eden Gardens State park are behind the project and raised the funds needed to for the endeavor.

In late 2009, the park completed more than $1 million in improvements which included a new entrance road, but no gated entrance. With much planning and fund raising, the Friends completed the enhancements this week.

Phillip Spann donated the design for the new entrance, Don Brackin Construction built the columns, and Wheeler Ornamental Metals, constructed the gates. Wheeler Ornamental were also the fabricators of the original gate entrance, and replicated the old design for the new gates.
Read More…

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Parks

Learn about park life at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

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

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 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 life. 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. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for more information.

Contact: (850) 267-0299. ::MAP::

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Learn about these fascinating mammals and what they eat

Saturday, Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Come and join this fun for all ages program on dolphins. Learn about their habitat, what they eat, and which ones you might see while visiting Florida. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.

$6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for more information.

Outside tours canceled during severe weather ::MAP::

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun

Learn about the fascinating critters that live in our area

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

July 31 at 11:30 a.m.

Come and join the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge as they present their rehabilitated wildlife for your viewing pleasure. Learn about the fascinating critters that are right here in the park and in Okaloosa and Walton County as they teach you what they eat, where they live and how they survive in the wild.

$6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for more information.

Outside tours canceled during severe weather ::MAP::

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun

Learn about preserving these ancient and majestic creatures

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A

Thursday, July 22 – 1:30 p.m.

The majestic sea turtles are in the midst of another reproductive season.  Learn the facts about common Sea Turtles at Topsail.  Be a part of an enlightening program and see what you can do to help preserve these awe inspiring creatures of the sea. Park at the Day-Use area on Hwy 30A and take a short walk with park staff to the clubhouse. $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 850-267-8330 for more information.
Topsail Hill State Preserve is located at the western end of Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. ::MAP::

Posted under Beaches, Eco tourism adventure, Nature, Parks

Trail along coastal dune lake Topsail Hill State Preserve

Learn about our rare lakes Thursday, July 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Come and join an exciting interpretive on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park’s imperiled coastal dune lakes.  Learn about these important rare freshwater lakes that exist right here in Walton County.  Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park.

Outdoor tours canceled during severe weather. Call 850-267-0299 for more details. For more information about the park:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill Click here for map

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Environment, Parks