Environment

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Walton County Health Department issues advisories for three beach accesses

Advisories issued for the Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, and Eastern Lake beach access August 1, 2013 – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. ...

What are the risks to paddlers from alligators?

Helpful suggestions if you have a close encounter with the large native reptile Ever wonder what to do if you get too close to an alligator? No need to panic, encounters between boaters and alligators are not very common, particularly when you consider how many people enjoy recreational boating in Florida. Many people paddle in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)...

Knowledge is key when living around black bears

Stash your garbage securely Florida black bears turn into eating machines in late summer and early fall, stuffing their stomachs in preparation for winter. For gluttonous bears, raiding a garbage can may be more appealing than foraging in the woods. To reduce human-bear conflicts during the surge of bear activity in late summer and fall, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges people to keep food sources around their homes and businesses secure from bears. “Due to the...

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance – The stewards of our watershed

A look into the four core facets of CBA This is the first of a four part series on the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College (CBA). It is easy to understand why most of us enjoy living in Northwest Florida. The beautiful beaches, creeks, rivers and the Choctawhatchee Bay offer extraordinary opportunities to fish, explore, swim and enjoy living in the diverse ecosystems that surround us. Have you ever wondered who watches over the health of our...

Dine for the Pines to benefit E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center September 8

Fundraiser to be held at Bud & Alley’s The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is hosting a fundraiser for area student programs and the preservation of  longleaf pine trees at Bud & Alley’s from 5 to 9 pm on Sunday, September 8. The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Developed by conservationist, M.C. Davis, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center sits on is a 53,000-acre land and wildlife conservation reserve named Nokuse Plantation located...

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park swimming area closed due to flooding

Update: Swimming area reopened July 19 Swimming in the spring at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is currently closed due to flooding from recent rains. The area is closed from flooding on the Choctawhatchee River backing up to Sandy Creek. Park ranger Aaron Miller hopes the water will recede by early next week if no further rains affect the area. “The water started to go down after the heavy rains, but recent rains north of us flooded the swimming...