Environment

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Haz-mat collection day in north and south Walton March 2

Walton County Haz-Mat Collection Day will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Walton County Solid Waste offers our citizens an environmentally safe way to dispose of hazardous household waste at no charge. · Walton County Landfill – 1118 Institution Road, DeFuniak Springs · Topsail Hill Preserve State Park – 7525 Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach Pesticides, Used Oil, Stale Gasoline, Solvents, Fertilizers, Paint/Thinners/Strippers, Batteries, Furniture Polish, Brake Fluid, Engine Degreaser, Anti-freeze, Pool Chemicals, Insecticides,...

Plant a pine for your valentine at a Florida State Park

Roses, chocolates and greeting cards are great, but The Florida State Parks Foundation thinks the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to Plant a Pine for your Valentine! For just $1, you can plant a native longleaf pine in a Florida State Park and help them  reach their goal of planting 100,000 longleaf pines by Earth Day 2024. We love Florida’s native longleaf pines, the ecosytems they support and the habitats they create for our precious wildlife. You can even dedicate...

Artificial reef and lionfish workshops in Fort Walton Beach Feb. 7 – 8

Florida Sea Grant is hosting artificial reef and lionfish workshops on Wed. Feb. 7 and Thurs. Feb 8, 2024 at the Destin- Ft. Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. The workshops will be held from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The meetings will bring together managers, scientists, anglers and divers and others to discuss new research, statewide initiatives, and regional updates across Florida’s Northwest region. The Artificial Reef Workshop will take place on Wednesday, February 7 followed by the Lionfish...

Volunteers needed for trail maintenance at Ponce DeLeon Springs State Park Jan. 30

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park will be hosting a trail maintenance project consisting of mulching the upper sandy creek trail. Spreading the mulch on them will smooth them out making them more appealing and easier to traverse. The trails have become rugged due to the rising floodwaters during the rainy season which makes them tougher to walk for some park visitors. Spreading the mulch on them will smooth them out making them more appealing and easier to traverse. The...

Florida Women Landowners Association Wild Things workshop in Crestview Jan. 13

The Florida Women Landowners Association has gathered women, information experts in their field, who will present interesting and hands on information to enhance your land habitat for wild birds and wild flowers. They will be hosting a Wild Things workshop on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Crestiview from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. They will also teach you how to identify and eliminate wild invasive plant species. Their workshop is geared to provide a fun, collaborative environment of women helping...

FWC seeks public input on native plant list

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking public input on a draft addendum to the State Wildlife Action Plan. The purpose of this addendum is to incorporate 596 native plant species into the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need list. Species listed as SGCN are declining or are at risk of becoming imperiled in the future. Key information included in the addendum will be presented at a public webinar on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. –...

Walton County responds to concern over live oak trees at Grady Brown Park

On Nov. 8, 2023, Walton County Public Information office released a press release regarding the health of the live oak trees at Grady Brown Park in Freeport: As many Walton County residents are aware, one part of the natural beauty of the county-owned Grady Brown Park is the magnificent, old oak trees within the park. However, when trying to protect the health and well being of trees, grounds and natural flora, there are always challenges. Even though the county hired...

Coastal dune lake tour of Western Lake at Grayton Beach State Park Oct. 5

Come celebrate Coastal Dune Lake Appreciation month as our University of Florida’s Panhandle Outdoor Live team provides a guided walking tour of the nature trail surrounding Western Lake in Grayton Beach State Park. Join local Walton and Okaloosa County University of Florida Extension Agents to learn more about our globally rare coastal dune lakes, their history, surrounding ecosystems, and local protections. Walk the nature trail through coastal habitats including maritime hammocks, coastal scrub, salt marsh wetlands, and coastal forest. The...

Deer Lake restoration tour in Santa Rosa Beach Oct. 2

Come celebrate Coastal Dune Lake Week at the Deer Lake restoration site on Oct. 2, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon. Learn more about ecosystem restoration efforts on coastal dune lakes in Walton County, Florida. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens will provide an informative tour of their restoration efforts within the Deer Lake watershed. The event is free with park fee admission, and the group will meet at Deer Lake State Park, 6350 East County Highway 30A Santa Rosa Beach,...

Be bear wise as bears become more active in fall

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds residents and visitors that our state’s black bears are more active in search of food as autumn approaches. Following BearWise® practices can help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife, including securing garbage and removing food attractants. During the fall, bears start consuming more calories to pack on fat reserves for the winter, even if they are not hibernating as long as they do in colder climates. Adult bears need...