Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes Week October 13-19
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners has officially declared October 13-19, 2024, as Coastal Dune Lakes Week!
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners has officially declared October 13-19, 2024, as Coastal Dune Lakes Week!
Celebrate Coastal Dune Lake Appreciation month with a tour of the nature trail surrounding Western Lake in Grayton Beach State Park on Thursday, Oct. 17th from 9AM - 11AM.
Join University of Florida's Panhandle Outdoor Live team for a guided walking tour of the nature trail. Meet at the beach pavilion (restroom facilities available) at 8:45 am with a lecture and tour start time of 9:00 am sharp. Tour is approximately 2 hours. Admission into the park: $5.00 per vehicle, so car pooling is encouraged.
Keep Walton County Beautiful, a local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful dedicated to preserving our county’s natural environment, is seeking volunteers for the International Coastal Cleanup® event on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the western end of Scenic 30A should be at the top of your must do list. No visit to South Walton is complete without seeing our masterpiece of a park, where wild coastal forest and serene dune lakes meet the glorious Gulf.
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center recently released seven rehabilitated sea turtles back into the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico after having spent time at the CARE Center.
The turtles were returned home to the Gulf at Topsail Hill State Preserve State Park, where several hundred locals and tourists gathered and cheered. Even a group of dolphins joined in the celebration, swimming alongside the turtles as they made their way back into the Gulf.
Red Tide can ruin a day at the beach in Walton County, Florida. Luckily, Red Tide is pretty rare in South Walton. The 30A beaches rarely get Red Tide, but when it come it is no fun. Red Tide can ruin a vacation if it is present in the Gulf of Mexico. Although sometimes it is mild and people think it is an allergy irritation or a mild cold. Sometimes it is severe and makes you feel like you have the flu.
Red Tide affects people differently. If Red Tide is heavy, you definitely want to stay out of the water. And it may be difficult to be on the beach or even near the beach.
Sea turtle nesting season begins in May on many Florida beaches, including the beaches of South Walton (SoWal) and northwest Florida. The season lasts through the end of October and is the critical time when people can help keep sea turtles and hatchlings safe.
To further our community's commitment to protecting and preserving our quality of life and environment, the Walton County Tourism Department established Keep Walton County Beautiful in 2024 as an official affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The preservation of Walton County’s natural landscapes allows residents and visitors to enjoy the area for generations to come.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the annual reminder that juvenile black bears might be seen in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges in search of new locations of their own to settle down. Spring also marks a general increase in activity for bears after limited movements in winter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts.