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A big thanks to all of our dedicated South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers for walking every inch of beach during nesting season to count nests, monitor hatchings, help turtles in danger, and keep an eye on our beaches - remember to give turtles and nests a wide berth, remove items from the beach at the end of the day, and fill in your holes! Thanks to Blue Mountain Beach resident and turtle watch volunteer Richard Fowlkes for sending us this great story and photos...
 

The 2014 Hurricane Season is here and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Emergency Management, and Alaqua Animal Refuge are teaming up to prepare Walton County pet owners to have a plan in place in the event of an evacuation.

Whether your pets are big or small, make sure:
•      Their immunizations are current and you have a copy of their records
•      They have a proper identification tag
•      They have a safe place to stay

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College and Gulf Power are extending a constructed oyster reef in Bluewater Bay near the Marina Cove Townhomes.  The reef was originally designed and installed by CBA as a breakwater to impede shoreline erosion. Years later, not only has the reef prevented further property loss, it has shed new light on the term living shoreline.

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with Visit South Walton and Northwest Florida State College, invites you to a great program of outdoor education and adventure this summer in the next round of its new ecotourism initiative.

Men, women and children of all ages are invited to don high heels for Walk Her Way at Rosemary Beach’s Town Center on Friday, June 13, 2014, at 6:30 pm. This event aims to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Will you walk in wedges? Strut in stilettos? Prance in pumps? Whatever your preference, sign up to Walk Her Way at www.walkherway.com.

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s (DCWAF) 9th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction raised a record breaking $2,035,000 for children in need in Northwest Florida. This marks a 57 percent increase from last year’s results of $1.3 million, reaffirming the foundation’s namesake event as the top charity fundraising event in Northwest Florida, and a “Top 10 Charity Wine Auction in the U.S.” recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine.

The 26th annual ArtsQuest is our community's fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). The festival is scheduled for May 9-11, 2014 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. [NEW - see photos from ArtsQuest 2014]

The Habitat for Humanity of Walton County ReStore was submerged in over two feet of standing water after severe weather impacted the area on April 29. The store was set to open for the first time next week in their new location off Hwy 393 South before record flooding impacted the area. All inventory is a total loss along with significant damage to the building. Unfortunately, the ReStore's insurance will not cover the flood damage sustained to the contents or building. Immediate resources and assistance are needed.

Coastal Conservation Association (CAA) South Walton Chapter presents the 9th annual Grayton Beach Kid's Fishing Tournament on Saturday, May 10, 8am - 12pm.

The tournament is intended to promote the responsible use of our marine resources through recreational fishing. With a $15 entry fee, each child receives a tournament t-shirt, rod and reel, beach rod holder, bait and pompano rigs and weights.

The event begins at 8 a.m. on the back porch of the Red Bar and ends at noon, followed by a brief award ceremony for the winners of each division.

“I've got a turtle," South Walton Turtle Watch volunteer Bob Veltri shouted, as he scooped up the first turtle and held it gently in his gloved hand. Veltri was the first to dig in the sand as he and his companions looked for traces of the inhabitants of the nest.

Al Murphy, in charge of this night’s dig, brought over a bucket filled with damp sand.
 

"Very gently put him in the bucket," Murphy instructed.