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

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

Photo courtesy of Steve Matherly.

Florida’s birding trail symbol is often spotted gliding around Walton County

FWC report

The swallow-tailed kite is a snack-food junkie if ever there was one. It spends most of the day aloft, eating on the run – catching bugs and eating them in one swoop, then circling and diving to devour another.

Elanoides forficatus is also an energy miser. The kite uses thermal uplifts and winds to spend the day gliding, merely flipping one side of its forked tail to change direction. From its nest in the top of tall pines and cypress trees, it spies arboreal vertebrates – reptiles, amphibians and sometimes a fledgling from another nest – and can seize that prey mid-flight. Read More…

Posted under Birding, Nature

New Topsail Hill Preserve State Park cabin. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Stay at a Topsail Hill State Preserve cabin or bungalow and get into Camp Helen and Eden Gardens State Parks free

TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks began a new promotion Mar. 2 to encourage weekday camping. The Two for Tuesday promotions allow visitors to purchase discounted camping packages at three state parks for Tuesday and Wednesday night stays that include admission to select nearby state parks. Packages range from $40 to $270, with savings of $30 to $36 off the value of the full package. Reservations may be made for stays from March 2 through May 26, 2010.

“Two for Tuesday is a great way to promote camping and encourage visitors to check out neighboring parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “By offering ready-made packages, visitors can take the guess work out of planning their trip, all for a discounted price.”

Locations of the Two for Tuesday parks range from springs near Central Florida to beaches in the Panhandle and museums in southwest Florida. Campers can bring a tent, camper or RV, or choose to stay in a cabin or bungalow. All overnight accommodations are subject to availability.
Read More…

Posted under Parks

Waterfall at the base of the steephead at Shoal Sanctuary. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Trails, sculptures and serenity await the nature lover in Mossy Head

Tucked away off the beaten path in north Walton County there is a unique outdoor experience for nature lovers called the Shoal Sanctuary.

Located on 50 acres of trails, sculptures and serene vistas, proprietors Robert and Chris Larson welcome visitors to their retreat dedicated to sharing the beauty of the outdoor experience and appreciation of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Recorded history dates back to the 1830s. The property is believed to of been along the path of the “Trail Of Tears.” After the U.S. government’s “Indian Removal Act,” Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Timuquan, Muskhogean, and Apalachee were forced migrate west,  and lore sites a leg of that journey along the old Indian footpath now called Crowder Chapel Road near the retreat. Local Native Americans have said that Shoal Sanctuary was once a ceremonial gathering place.

In 2000, the Larson’s acquired 35 acres of land adjacent to their existing 16-acre property, and began a reforestation project blazing trails and developed the retreat along their Shoal river property. Long-leaf pine, ash magnolia, Torreya pine and other native trees have been planted to restore the land as the Larson’s participate in Florida’s Forest Stewardship program.

Read More…

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

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

Sand dunes along the outfall on Camp Creek Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Recreational activities abound on these rare coastal dune lakes

Walton County Florida is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes. Read More…

Posted under Fishing, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat

Sunset awash with color. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley

Water color sunset on coastal dune lake

Local resident, Jamie Conley snapped this beautiful sunset Feb. 22. “With the storm last night clearing everything out and the combination of warmer air and cool water conditions were perfect for a sunset over the lakes that was just breath taking” Jamie said. Thanks for sharing Jamie!

Posted under Nature

Killdeer on Western Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

This territorial killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) was spotted along the shallow mud flats of Western Lake in Santa Rosa Beach on Feb. 21. The bird must of been nesting in the area as she was not delighted with the presence of paddlers near her spot.

Posted under Birding

Photo courtesy West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club.

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club offers a variety of paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. If you are interesting in becoming a member, you can go to their website at www.clubkayak.com/wfckc or contact Wes Mosteller at wesjane@earthlink.net

Guests are welcome on trips as long as they have the skills to safely navigate the waters being paddled.  Guests must sign a waiver form and have an Eglin Recreational Pass if the trip is on the Base.  Paddlers must supply their own boat.

Friday, March 5:  Econfina Creek from Walsingham Bridge down to SR 20

We will meet at the parking area on the NE corner of Econfina Creek, drive on dirt roads to Walsingham Bridge, unload, and take vehicles back down to the parking area at SR 20.  This area of the creek is very beautiful, but because it isn’t paddled as much, expect pull-overs (how many depends on water levels).
We will see springs along the creek and paddle up a spring run to Washington Blue Springs and a camping area. Bring a lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather, a change of clothing in a dry sack, water, PFD, and anything else you need for your comfort. The distance of the paddle is about 7.5 miles and it is rated medium in difficulty due to the pull-overs and need to maneuver one’s boat on a small, twisty stream with underwater and overhanging obstructions in a moving current. Contact trip leader Frances Stone at 850-480-4480 or ffstone@hotmail.com to sign up, for directions, or answers to questions.

Saturday, March 6 Lower Chipola from SR 20 to Scotts Ferry

This is a beautiful stretch of the Chipola River with 7 miles of wide, open water, and 7 miles of interesting paddling when the Chipola splits into several different branches, and eventually one is paddling down what appears to be a small creek.  Expect to see remains of the historical steamboat dock, and a logging railroad. It is an easy paddle for people capable of paddling 14 miles. May be pullovers.  Bring water, PDF, wear clothing appropriate for the weather, bring a change of clothes and anything else needed for a good paddle.  Shuttle will leave Marianna at 8:00 a.m.from McDonalds on SR 71 south of I-10.  Other people who wish to go directly to the put-in can meet at the Chipola River Boat Ramp on SR 20 at 9:00 a.m. Contact trip leader Chris Matthews, a very experienced Marianna paddler, trip leader, and all around nice guy, (who has recently joined the WFCKC) at 850-209-8166 for more information.

Sunday, March 7 Holmes Creek

Meet at the Vernon Boat Ramp and Wayside park at 9:00 a.m.  We will put in at Culpepper Landing, paddle upstream to Cypress Springs, then back down to the Vernon Boat Ramp for lunch using the picnic pavilions.  After lunch we will continue downstream to Hightower Springs Landing.  Very little build-up along this creek.  It is about an 8-mile paddle with the upstream part being approximately a half-mile.  Holmes Creek is a slow moving stream with the current usually about a mile an hour. Bring PFD, water, lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather, a change of clothes in a dry sack.  Contact trip leader Frances Stone at 850-482-4480 or ffstone@hotmail.com to sign up, for directions, or more information about this paddle.

Wet and Wild Festival, May 1, 2010

Kelley Thompson, Coordinator for the West and Wild Festival at Big Lagoon State Park has announced that this year the Festival will be held on May 1. She has inquired if the club would participate again this year, and I have already sent her an affirmative answer. Our event was very popular last year, and we had lots of fun.  Mark your calendars and bring your boats, paddles, PFDs especially children’s sizes, and help the club offer paddling exploration to the participants in the Wet and Wild Festival.
Frances Stone

Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous 2010, October 22-24

Mark your Calendars now — 
for the 2010 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous, October 21-24.

FL Sport Paddling Club (FSPC) proudly continues the Rendezvous tradition of bringing together Florida paddling clubs and paddling enthusiasts for a weekend of fun, friends and paddles.
This year’s base camp will be the Silver River State Park campground from which we will launch four days of trips that canoeists and kayakers of all skill levels will enjoy. Also join the potluck supper, program, nightly campfires, paddlers’ swap meet, and the wonderful exchange of friendship and paddling skills that evolves when so many with like interests come together.

The main event will take place Friday-Sunday, October 22-24, 2010. Make your reservations at Silver River SP now!! Pre-Rendezvous paddles will be held Thursday, October 21, for those who can come early. Trip details and a list of additional accommodations will follow when we have a website set up.
Please help us reach all who may be interested.   Send us any additional contacts you may have.  Please email Kathy, publicity chair, at KathrynVaughn@ATT.net with your questions, suggestions or information

Posted under Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat