EnvironmentaL News

Look here for news on environmental issues  in Walton County

Environmental Calendar for January 2025

Fri, 17th, Celebrate Arbor Day in Florida. Even though National Arbor Day is April 25th this year, Florida Arbor Day is celebrated in January because it’s the best time of year to plant trees in our state. Celebrate by planting a tree on your property, even if you have a small yard. There are many small varieties of trees to choose from, and you can even grow some in pots. Hurricanes have decimated trees in Florida this year and our state will greatly benefit from replacing those trees. Why? Because trees take in and capture carbon dioxide and put out oxygen, which we all need. They also provide shade, homes for wildlife, and beauty for us all, and very importantly, they absorb flooding rain and hold our land together in hurricanes. Want to prepare for hurricanes? Plant a tree!

Fri – Sat, 17th and 18th. Pick Up Day at the Walton County Master Gardener Office. If you ordered plants at the Master Gardeners’ Sale last fall, you can pick them up on either of these days at 732 N. 9th St., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433, 850-892-8172.

Sat, 18th, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (or until supplies last) Panama City Great Tree Giveaway at McKenzie Park, 218 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, at the corner of Oak Avenue and Park Street. There is a limit of two free trees per household. It does not appear from Facebook that you have to be a resident of Panama City to participate. The type of trees is not specified. Contact abates@panamacity.gov with questions. 

Mon, 20th, 9:00 a.m. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Plant Stroll with Bill Kuenstler, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Meet at Tram Stop #2 in the park. The Park is just off Hwy 98 on Scenic Hwy 30A, at 7525 West County Hwy 30a, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, 850-267-8330. The stroll is free but there is a small fee per vehicle to enter the park.

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