Monthly Archives: January 2016

Florida’s First Capital and First High Rise? – Jefferson County’s Letchworth-Love Mounds Archeological State Park

It’s a calm clear weekday in January. There’s a single buzzard soaring above, two squirrels scurrying in the trees and a pileated woodpecker calling in the distance. It’s hard to imagine this site was the capital of civilization in North … Continue reading

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Arbor Day in Florida

The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is for Arbor Day.  Florida recognizes the event on the third Friday in January, but planting any time before spring will establish a tree quickly. … Continue reading

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Nature Tourism – The Intracoastal Waterway – Perdido Key

All photos: Molly O’Connor   More and more visitors to the Gulf coast are seeking nature encounters when on vacation. Of course there are still the amusement park fans but there is an increasing number interested in visiting “The Real … Continue reading

Posted in Barrier Islands, Ecotourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“Panhandle Outdoors LIVE!” schedule for 2016 announced

The Florida Legislature has just convened for the 2016 session, and news from the capitol is already announcing a sweeping water bill on the fast-track to passage. Supporters are quoted as saying it would provide increased protection for certain key … Continue reading

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2016 Gulf Coast Agritourism and Ecotourism Business Development Conference

In 2014, five Extension agents involved with http://www.naturallyescarosa.com launched the first Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference. Over sixty business owners and members of the hospitality industry met to discuss marketing, sustainable tourism, and how to handle insurance … Continue reading

Posted in Agritourism, Ecotourism, Events, Florida Panhandle, Hiking, Kayaking, Recreation, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment

Panhandle Florida Master Naturalist graduates opt to use living shorelines to enhance habitat and protect their coastal properties.

The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding and respect of Florida’s natural environment. FMNP graduates, Paul Bennett and Charlie Lurton have both worked diligently through the permitting process to place living shorelines consisting of … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental Education, Florida Master Naturalist, Living Shoreline | Tagged , | 1 Comment

What is the El Niño?

In our last article about the red tides we discussed how the strange weather of 2015 caused some changes in the natural world around Pensacola Beach – mainly, it got warmer. Though climate change is happening, and we just had … Continue reading

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