Category: Environment

Snow in Florida

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that it has reportedly snowed 24 times in Florida since 2000? Snow occurs almost exclusively in northern Florida, so living in the beautiful Panhandle and surrounding areas means you’re more likely to experience snowfall here. However, snow is less likely to stick to the ground here; flurries, sleet, and light snow are more probable. Florida has also experienced ocean-effect snow. Ocean snow is an effect produced when a plume of Arctic air produces widespread record low temperatures and light snow flurries. 

Florida Caverns State Park: Update

Debbie Roney Smith on

It’s been three years since Hurricane Michael destroyed over 90% of the Florida Caverns State Park canopied forest. Luckily, the community has rallied around the park and major progress has been made toward repairing the devastated land. Thousands of tree saplings were donated to replace those lost, and debris cleanup is still underway. Currently, the campground and river access remain closed to the public. However, a large portion of the park has been reopened: the Blue Hole swimming area, the multiuse trails, and even the caves themselves!

Utilizing the surface-based lighting and electrical system to illuminate the cave to create a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, guided cave tours are once again being offered. This new, energy-efficient system helps protect the light-sensitive ecosystems in the cave and allows visitors to see cave formations more clearly – all without needing a flashlight!

For more information on the guided cave tours or to RSVP, visit the Florida Caverns State Park website. 

Florida Panhandle Sea Turtles

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that three of the five species of sea turtles found in the Gulf of Mexico nest on Pensacola Beach? In fact, 90% of sea turtle nesting in the United States happens in the Sunshine State! Between 40,000 and 84,000 nests are dug on Florida beaches by these amazing ocean reptiles every year. Pensacola Beach is especially prolific in loggerhead nesting, although green turtles and Kemp’s ridley turtles also nest in the area. The nesting process lasts from March to October; help keep turtles safe by watching where you step, avoiding nests that are marked off, cleaning up after yourself when you visit the beach, and keeping lights off the beach after dark to keep from confusing hatchlings trying to make it away from land to the sea. 

Terrific Towering Tree

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Florida Panhandle is home to one of the state’s tallest trees. In Torreya State Park in Liberty County, there stands a gorgeous Southern magnolia. The Magnolia grandiflora is the third tallest tree in Florida, standing at a magnificent 29 meters or approximately 95 feet. That’s only 5 meters shorter than the tallest tree in the state – a Loblolly pine in Suwanee County. Interested in learning more about the spectacular trees Florida is home to? Visit the Monumental Trees website for more information on the tallest, thickest, and oldest Florida trees!

Greenpeace is 50!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Greenpeace Day, and 2021 happens to be the 50th anniversary of the creation of the global organization! Greenpeace was created in the 1970s as a global ecology movement, an organization dedicated to the protection of nature and the education of the public. Fifty years of growth later, Greenpeace has combined the goals of peace and ecology and is established in 57 countries with more in development.

Greenpeace has even had a personal impact on the lovely Florida Panhandle; since 2005, they have been working to help protect and expand an area of Keystone Forest here in the panhandle. It is a hotspot for biodiversity, and is home to the richest endemic plant life in the south, housing 75% of Florida’s native plant species.

Eager to learn more about the impact Greenpeace and its dedicated members have had? Visit their official website for more information on everything from current initiatives to how to get involved and the history of the organization. 

Free Trees for North Florida

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Arbor Day Foundation is working with Florida State Parks to help replace trees lost by Hurricane Michael in North Florida. If you live in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, or Washington County, visit Arbor Day – Florida Trees to reserve your free tree.

There are four different native tree species to choose from but supplies are limited so be sure to reserve yours today. When the saplings are ready to be planted, they will be shipped directly to your home. Trees are beautiful, reduce energy costs, improve air quality, provide shade, and more! 

National Wildlife Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is the second National Wildlife Day of 2021. Held annually on February 22nd as well as September 4th, Wildlife Day was founded in 2005. Colleen Paige, an animal behaviorist, created this day to bring awareness to endangered animals that need to be preserved and rescued.

It is also meant to bring awareness and support to zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries that operate nationally and globally; working to educate the public about wildlife conservation is the key to the future of animals. Visit the official National Wildlife Day website for more information such as history, endangered animal lists, ways to celebrate, and more!

Kayaking on Ocheesee Pond

Debbie Roney Smith on

Recent rain and perfect summer weather call for a trip to Ocheesee Pond in Grand Ridge! Kayaking is a must-do at this local. To get to the launch site, head east from Marianna on Highway 90 and turn right on Highway 69. Then, after crossing the railroad tracks in Grand Ridge, take a left onto 69A and follow it to the dirt road on the left marked Arkansas. Marking the spot is a boat ramp sign marking the turn.

Don’t attempt this pond alone if you haven’t done it previously, as after a short half-mile paddle through the clear water, there is a maze-like cypress swamp. There is a marker system but they are often difficult to spot and irregular. However, the kayaking route is a beautiful trip. Amongst the cypress tree-maze are aquatic glades of water lily and spatterdock that give the water a splash of seasonal color. There are often basking turtles, elusive alligators on the prowl, duck sightings, and a plethora of osprey and woodpeckers.

Tupelo Honey

Debbie Roney Smith on

The center of tupelo honey production is the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle which makes tupelo honey a local honey star! Tupelo honey is a very special form of honey that has a lower glucose content with a very small harvesting window which makes it a more expensive alternative to the general store-bought honey. It is also known as Ogeechee tupelo due to the popular growing region; there are thousands of hectares of Ogeechee tupelo have been planted in bee farms along the lower Apalachicola River and around swamps where it grows naturally.

Tupelo has an incredible amber color alongside a sweet taste and aroma. It is high-grade honey that is good for the digestive and immune system, as well as working for those dressing wounds. Tupelo honey gets its name from the tupelo tree species, a nod to the fact it is harvested from the specific tupelo tree species Nyssa ogeche. Tupelos are popular ornamental trees because they offer form, flowers from March to May, shade, and autumn leaf colors. Honey is only harvestable for a short period of 2-3 weeks and is heavily subjected to poor weather. 

Fishing on the Ocheesee Pond

Debbie Roney Smith on

Ocheesee Pond is a great place to enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and more. The lake is 2,225-acres with dark tannic water covered by cypress trees. Lake access is available by taking SR 69 south of Grand Ridge (1.0 mile); then turn left on CR 69A (5.9 miles) and travel left on Shady Grove Rd. to the ramp.

Be careful navigating while in the water; there are many exposed stumps and snags. Try fishing around the stumps and snags in deep holes, where fish often gather. The best baits for wildlife in the pond include grass shrimp, crickets, wigglers, or various colors of 1/16 to 1/8 oz. beetle spins. Try fishing in the early morning and/or late afternoon along weed lines or in deep holes in the lake. The best baits include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, dark plastic worms, or live shiners.