Environment

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The seaweed along the shoreline is teeming with life

Beach wrack full of curiosities When walking the beach this summer, pause and ponder the virtues of stranded seaweed. Those scattered clumps along the high-tide line actually have a name – beach wrack – and are a pivotal part of the beach ecosystem. “Many might think sand makes a beach, but it’s the wrack that truly brings a beach to life,” said Blair Witherington, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist who studies beach life. “It sponsors some...

South Walton sea turtle nesting season May 1 – October 31

 Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth, and have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years. However, they face an uncertain future. Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution (physical and light) are only some of the issues sea turtles face as the beautiful creatures struggle to survive. Each year from May – October, there are four species of Florida sea turtles that nest along the beach in South Walton County – Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback and Kemps Ridley. Each...

Gulf coast lupine blooms along South Walton area beaches

Beautiful blue shrub a welcome sight In the springtime, sand dunes along the beaches in South Walton are dolloped with beautiful blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is a native plant and endemic to Northwest Florida. Lupine habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. This particluar perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one of them. The beautiful blue flowers provide a delicate lavender-like scent. Early settlers to the...

Spanish moss flowers from spring to fall

Did you know Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is a flowering plant?  Spanish moss is a native, perennial epiphytic herb. It is not Spanish, nor a moss, but a flowering plant. The slender, wiry, long, branching stems (reaching 8m or more) grow as suspended, bluish-gray streamers and garlands draping among tree branches and sometimes telephone lines and fences. Spanish moss grows on trees in areas of high humidity. It can be found on live oak and pines that border estuaries, rivers,...

Native American history program at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Aug. 17

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Indian Temple Mound Museum on August 17, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. and learn about Native Americans who have called the Florida Panhandle home, and their way of life.  This program is free. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park. Participation Requirements Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sends out periodic emails regarding programs, events, news and volunteer opportunities. You can...

Florida water lecture at South Walton High School July 25

Safe Water for Walton is hosting TEDx speaker and renowned global environmental writer Cynthia Barnett on July 25. The event will be held at the South Walton High School Auditorium in Santa Rosa Beach starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m., lecture at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance here. Barnett will be speaking about: What is the history of water in Florida? What about those majestic freshwater springs that gush millions of gallons of...

Learn about prescribed fire at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park July 20

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Florida Forest Service on July 20, 2018 from 10 – 11:00 a.m. to learn about prescribed fires and their benefits to the forest and surrounding ecosystems. This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park on the third Friday of the month at 10am in the clubhouse. Future dates and topics are “Native American History...