Nature

SoWal local Brock Ellis had the experience of a lifetime recently when he got to swim with a group of seven manatees along the shore at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Brock was able to capture exciting photos and video (below) of the manatees.

It's not uncommon to see manatees swimming east in South Walton in the Spring as they migrate up from Southwest Florida, and again swimming west to get back down south in the Fall. Brock works on the beach so has a front row seat for all the great wildlife action in the Gulf.

“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.

One of the most extraordinary things about South Walton beaches are the sea turtles that nest here. They need our help and protection to survive. As a volunteer with South Walton Turtle Watch (SWTW), it’s not only a great opportunity to spend time on the beach, but it’s also a great way to enjoy nature and create community.

I have had many great experiences in South Walton working on the Coastal Dune Lakes of Walton County (working title) documentary. I worked with my Dad, Elam Stoltzfus, and our editor, Joey Dickinson, filming the Paddle for the Planet event last October on Lake Powell.

Jeff Talbert loves the outdoors and he loves photography. Being a Resource Management Park Services Specialist for the state of Florida and stationed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park gives him unique opportunities to combine his interests. Jeff often is in a great position to photograph South Walton wildlife in the park. We've enjoyed his photography for years and are happy to share a bit.

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant will host a public workshop at Padgett Park (810 JD Miller Rd, SRB) on Monday, April 21 from 5:30 to 7pm. Attendees will learn how to identify invasive plants found in our community,  and how to use this knowledge to improve their neighborhoods.

 It was wonderful to come back to Walton County for an extended period of time earlier this year. First, with Escape To Create as an Artist in Residence at Seaside, and now returning on my own to capture more moving images for this documentary story. Each working visit affirms the importance to showcase the Coastal Dune Lakes of Walton County. 

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with Visit South Walton and Northwest Florida State College, presents a unique series of eco-adventures in South Walton County. Discover Roads Less Traveled offers varied opportunities to explore and discover the natural resources that make SoWal unique. We encourage you to get outside and enjoy!
 

Celebrate Earth Day with the experts at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center on Saturday, April 5, 2014. The event is a community festival geared towards appreciating, conserving and learning about the world we live in.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is a wonderful place to explore any day of the year, but the special events at the park are special indeed. Here's the inside info so you can make plans this Spring to attend some of the weekly music events and park ranger programs coming up in March at our Florida State Park located on the west end of Scenic 30A in South Walton.