EnvironmentaL News
Upcoming events
Look here for news on environmental issues in Walton County
Environmental Calendar for September 2024
These events are researched from several different online sources. Specific information, such as meeting places and hours, may change closer to the date, so please confirm all event information before going.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins and runs until October 31st. Never push or attempt to assist stranded turtles or hatchlings to the water. More harm can be done to them, plus it is ILLEGAL without proper permits. Call the Sea Turtle Hotline to report a turtle in distress: 850-865-4503.
Wed, 4th, 10:00 a.m., Walton County Master Gardeners Lecture on Prescribed Burning by the Florida Forest Service. Learn how controlled burns contribute to ecosystem health and resilience. Walton County South Extension Office, 70 Logan Lane, Grayton Beach. Free and open to the public. For more info email waltonctymg@gmail.com.
Thu, 5th, 8:15 – 10:00 a.m. Ranger Led Kayak Ecotour at Camp Helen State Park. Join a park ranger for a paddle on Lake Powell, the largest Coastal Dune Lake in North America. Must be 12 years or older. Learn about the natural communities and wildlife that make Lake Powell so unique. Cash-only fee is $40, due on check in, which includes a single kayak, life jacket, paddle, entrance fee to the park, and a donation to the Friends of Camp Helen. Space is limited and you must sign up ahead of time by calling Camp Helen State Park at 850-233-5059. You can also sign up for the 19th – see below.
OR: Rent a kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard at Camp Helen 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. You can paddle in the lake but not the Gulf. single kayak is $20 for one hour, $50 for a half day (4 hours). A tandem kayak or a paddleboard is $25 for one hour, $65 for a half day. Walk in or make a reservation by calling 850-238-1900.
Fri, 6th, 6:30 p.m. Stargazing at Eden Gardens State Park. Start time is 6:30 pm and continues after dark. Join the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association to view the beauty of the universe. Telescopes will be provided, or you can take your own. If you take a flashlight, please use a red filter so you do not disturb nesting turtles. No flash photography for the same reason. A free Sky Map will be available at the welcome table. This event is free and open to families, however, state park fees apply. $4 per vehicle with 2 to 8 people in it, and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers. The park closes at sundown (approximately 7:00 pm), so make sure you arrive before then. Eden Gardens State Park is located off Hwy 98 on CR 395, at 181 Eden Garden Road, Point Washington, FL 32459. Call the park at 850-267-8320 to make sure weather has not caused a cancellation or to confirm park closing time.
Sat, 7th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. History Tour at Camp Helen State Park. Take a guided tour with a park ranger on the history of this state park. Dress for the weather and take water and insect repellent. Camp Helen is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, just south of Hwy 98. Call Camp Helen at 850-233-5059 for info. Free with paid park entry of $4 per vehicle.
Sat, 7th, 7:30 a.m. Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Birding. Experience the beauty of bird life at the Okaloosa holding ponds and Wright pond with expert birder Jim Anderton. Meet at 7:30 a.m. along the west edge of Roberts Road, north of Task Force Pizza off Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton. Wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, hat, and take water and binoculars. Call Jim with questions at 850-543-2221.
Sat, 14th, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers’ Plant Sale. Natives and Florida Friendly plants, food and larval feeding source plants for fall migrating monarch butterflies and hummingbirds. Prices are $5.35 per container. Take one gallon (and only one gallon) black pots to donate to the Master Gardeners’ nursery. Held in the Temporary Annex in the Okaloosa Tech College, at 1976 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach. Call 850-651-7210 for info.
Mon, 16th 9:00 a.m. Topsail Hill Plant Stroll at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park with Bill Kuenstler, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Learn about our native Florida plants. Meet at Tram Stop #2 in the park. The Park is just off Hwy 98 on Scenic Hwy 30A.
Thu, 19th, 8:15 – 10:00 a.m. Ranger Led Kayak Ecotour at Camp Helen State Park. Join a park ranger for a paddle on Lake Powell, the largest Coastal Dune Lake in North America. Must be 12 years or older. Learn about the natural communities and wildlife that make Lake Powell so unique. Cash-only fee is $40, due on check in, which includes a single kayak, life jacket, paddle, entrance fee to the park and a donation to the Friends of Camp Helen. Space is limited and you must sign up ahead of time by calling Camp Helen State Park at 850-233-5059.
Sat, 21st, 8:00 – 12:00 p.m. Annual Lake Powell Clean Up. Help several community groups clean up Lake Powell. First 50 vols get a free tee shirt, and there will be coffee and donuts, a drawing for prizes, and pizza. You can access the lake by walking, wading, boating or paddling. You can take your own water craft (with required safety gear) or paddleboard. Also take closed-toed shoes, hat, sunscreen, grabber, gloves, water. See the Facebook page at LakePowellCommunityAlliance or email LPCA08@gmail.com with questions.
Sat, 21st, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. International Coastal Clean Up. Help clean up several of our beautiful beaches, get a free tee shirt, win a prize, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast afterwards at three of the locations. Take your own bucket, mesh bag, gloves and trash grabbers, water, and sun protection. Sign up ahead of time at: https://bit.ly/2024DFWB_ICC.
Locations:
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach (with breakfast)
The Crab Trap/James Lee Park, 3500 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin (with breakfast)
Surf Hut, 551 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach (with breakfast)
June White Decker Park, 1950 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin
Henderson Beach State Park, 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin
28th, 9:00 – 2:00 p.m. Bilophilia Center’s Fallapalooza. Come out with the kids to support the center, whose mission is to educate 6500 school children a year on our natural environment. Enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, games, and animal encounters. Admission for ages 4 – 12 is $7, and for ages 13 and up is $10. 4956 Hwy 20 E, Freeport. Call 850-835-1824 for more info.
Walton County Democratic Women’s Club
“Together We Can Make A Difference”