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Today is National Hiking Day! This is an excellent time of year to go out and explore the wilderness around you. Here in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, there’s a number of unique ecosystems to explore at local, state, and national parks. Here’s a list of just a few of the beautiful places to explore today:
on August is Summer Sun Safety Month! What can you do to stay safe under the intense summer sun?
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Did you know that Florida is a biodiversity hotspot?! The state ranks 7th for animal biodiversity with 4,368 known species. We rank 6th for vascular plant diversity, with 3,038 species. Florida also ranks among the top five states in endemic species; endemic species are animals or plants that are found only in our state. For instance, 269 species of animals can be found only in Florida.
In fact, Florida is part of the North American Coastal Plain – the low-lying land stretching from Texas to Florida to New England. In 2016, the North American Coastal Plain was named the 36th biodiversity hotspot in the world. Biodiversity expert Reed Noss said, “Florida, in term of endemic species, is the hottest spot within the Coastal Plain.” There are one-of-a-kind species such as turtles, frogs, freshwater fish, mice, birds, and many types of plants and invertebrates.
Why are biodiversity hotspots important? Well, there’s a lot to cover but the overall message is that biodiversity creates a healthier ecosystem for all life on Earth, including humans. To learn more, check out this article by the Rainforest Action Network.
on Did you know that the failure rate of New Year’s Resolutions is estimated to be 80%?! Most people lose their motivation by the end of January at the earliest or mid-February at the latest.
Warren Holleman, who has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science, says, “It takes a lot more than a resolution to change. It takes a self-understanding, skills, strategies, and support.” Rather than create a simple, yet daunting, list of resolutions, choose one or two things to focus on. Then, strategize. Break each goal into achievable tasks. 
For instance, if your goal is to exercise more. The first thing to do is figure out what ‘exercising more’ means to you. Say you’ve taken a break from exercising for the last few years. It doesn’t make sense to immediately expect yourself to work out 5 days a week. Instead, create an action plan where you gradually build up the amount of exercise you do. Try to find a friend to workout with or choose activities that feel less like exercise and more like fun; try hiking, swimming, or playing a sport. Even if ‘exercising more’ means adding 5 minutes of walking to your day, go for it! Small changes create a ripple effect that makes it easier to make bigger changes into lifelong habits.
on Florida State Parks are hosting a series of hikes on the first of January 2024. They want to help individuals, friends, and families start the new year off with a breath of fresh air. The walks are free with state park admission and are guided by rangers. Guests are encouraged to wear sensible shoes and bring binoculars, water, camera, bug spray, and sunscreen.
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The Florida Health Department of Jackson County is hosting a Community Health Fair tomorrow. From 3-7pm, come out to Madison Street Park in Marianna. The goal is to raise and celebrate diabetes awareness. There will be food, fun, health education, live music, vendors, community resources, and a live DJ. The highlight of the event is the FREE health screenings and HIV testing. Come out for an evening of fun and health safety.
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Walmart’s across the United States and Puerto Rico are implementing semi-permanent sensory hours. The hours will take place every day from 8-10 a.m. Depending on how things go, these hours could become permanent.
Sensory hours are designed for those who are easily overwhelmed by external stimulation. During as typical Walmart visit, highly-sensitive individuals have to handle an influx of stimuli including stranger’s conversations, accidental touch, bright overhead lights, store music, and more. This can cause irritability, stress, agitation, insomnia, loss of focus, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, and anxiety. Some individuals even experience physical symptoms such as tight, itchy skin or buzzing nerves.
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Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from October 23-31. It is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. The 2023 theme is “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.”
Learn more by visiting the official Red Ribbon Week website.
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Covenant Care is hosting an educational discussion on the Presentation, Progression, and Planning for someone with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. The event is free to anyone in the community; they ask that you reserve your seat so they can properly prepare. The event will start with a Meet and Greet at 5:30pm and be followed by a Buffet Style Dinner starting at 5:45pm.
The Presentaiton will begin promptly at 6pm. It will be led by Dr. Steven Spence, a member of the Internal Medicine Associates of Jackson Hospital and Medical Director of Covenant Care. The event will be held at the Rivertown Community Church in Marianna. For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact either:
Jennifer Griffin; (850) 209-8008; jennifer.griffin@choosecovenant.org
Chelsea Dickinson; (850) 209-7799; chelsea.dickson@choosecovenant.org
on Visit Panama City Beach partnered with Bay County to buy two new beach wheelchairs and a walker. They were purchased as part of the “Fun. For. All.” campaign; the campaign is designed to promote accessibility in Panama City Beach.
The walker and wheelchair are free to use and can be found at the M.B. Miller County Pier. Bay County Parks and Recreation Division Manager Vincent Martin said, “All they have to do is come up to the County Pier and request a unit if it’s available. They would sign a waiver obviously releasing that unit out there so they can use it for the day.” Visitors have reported that the equipment is easy to use. Stephanie Williams, a visitor from Tennessee, stated that she, “tested it out on the sand, and there was ease of movement.”
However, the program is just beginning. The individuals behind the program want to see more accessibility equipment brought on board. Did you know that 12.1% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs? Three accessibility tools are a drop in the ocean. Bay County and Visit Panama City Beach are working to install more Mobi-Mats while also working to secure the funding necessary to buy more wheelchairs and walkers.
Mobi-Mats provide a more stable walkway than trudging through the sand; these are useful not only for the disabled but also for young toddlers, individuals pulling carts, and more. Please note that if the walkways are congested, capable individuals should move aside for those with disabilities.