Category Archives: Recreation

Finding Common Ground on Climate Change

Climate change is one of those topics that most people don’t want to think much about. It can be overwhelming, it can be controversial, and it can be downright frightening. A year ago, Yale and George Mason University completed the … Continue reading

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Snorkeling Safety at the Jetty

The St Andrew Bay pass jetty is more like a close family friend than a collection of granite boulders. The rocks protect the inlet ensuring the vital connections of commerce and recreation. One of the treasured spots along the jetty … Continue reading

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Ecotourism in Northwest Florida

What do you imagine when the word “ecotourism” comes to mind? I know  I usually daydream about a trip my husband I took to Costa Rica several years ago, surrounded by lush tropical rainforests as we ziplined through the canopy. I … Continue reading

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Nature Tourism – Bald Point State Park

Some of the most picturesque and scenic natural areas along north Florida’s Gulf Coast are found in Bald Point State Park. The 4,065 acre park is located on Alligator Point, where Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay. Bald Point State Park … Continue reading

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Celebrating Choctawhatchee Bay – National Estuaries Week

September 17-24, 2016 was the nation’s 28th time to celebrate America’s coasts and estuaries during National Estuaries Week.  This week helps us to remember to appreciate the challenges these coastal ecosystems face, along with their beauty and utility. Estuaries, semi-enclosed … Continue reading

Posted in Estuaries, Fisheries, Florida Panhandle, Habitat Conservation, Marine Resource Conservation, Recreation, Water Conservation, Watershed | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Biking to a Healthier Community

If you told me earlier this summer that I would “accidentally” bike 18 miles one afternoon, I’d have laughed. I’ve always loved biking, but rarely have time for long distance rides. As part of the mobile workshops for an Extension … Continue reading

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Bay County Deploys First Super Reefs in Panama City Beach

Earlier this year, Bay County completed an artificial reef project in Gulf waters approximately 3 nautical miles (nm) south of the Panama City Beach Pier (Pier Park) and 11 nm west of St Andrew Bay Pass in Small Area Artificial … Continue reading

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Scalloping: Unrivaled Natural Experience for Kids

If you have done this phenomenal summertime activity, then you know what I’m talking about. And it’s not just the kids that derive an amazing, nature-based educational experience. Anyone who puts on a mask and snorkel for their first scalloping … Continue reading

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Life’s a Beach! Practice Beach Safety and Etiquette

It is that time of year again. Spring Break brings locals and visitors back to the beach for fun in the sun. It is important to remind folks that part of having fun is playing it safe. At the beach, … Continue reading

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From Fear to Fascination: White Sharks in the Panhandle

From Fear to Fascination: White Sharks in the Florida Panhandle UF/IFAS Extension – Florida Sea Grant  By Rick O’Connor (Escambia County) and L. Scott Jackson (Bay County) Recently, I was walking on our local Gulf fishing pier checking fishing line … Continue reading

Posted in Barrier Islands, Beach Safety, bull shark, Curiosities, Florida Master Naturalist, Florida Panhandle, Recreation, Sea Life, shark, shark attack, sharks, Turtles, Urban Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment