Welcome to Sandy Creek State Forest!
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired 12,243 acres in Bay County that will become a new state forest system. The new forest acreage will expand the Florida Wildlife Corridor; it will also provide a new natural destination for public recreation in Northwest Florida. Completed under the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project, the new acreage protects a key portion of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed. Protecting the watershed helps 1) safeguard water quality, 2) reduce flooding in surrounding communities, and 3) supports a wide variety of habitats. Habitats include: longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and floodplains. The habitats support wildlife like the keystone gopher tortoise, the Florida black bear, and other potentially threatened and endangered species like the reticulated flatwoods salamander and dark-headed hatpins flower.
The property will be managed by the Florida Forest Service to support both conservation and recreation. DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert says, “With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest. This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special.”
The park isn’t open to the public quite yet, but will offer hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education once it is. According to an email from the DEP Press Office, “Florida is at the forefront of the nation’s land protection efforts and continues to be a model for other land acquisition programs across the country. Through the Florida Forever Program, the state conserves land that provides environmental, recreational and preservation benefits, including water quality and quantity safeguards; resilience from storm impacts; habitat and species protections; and outdoor recreation opportunities.”
For more information about the Florida Forever Program, visit Florida DEP here.
Fort Clinch, located on Amelia Island, became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935 due to historic conservation efforts. Now, Fort Clinch State Park is a 1,400 acre park featuring diverse nature, a historic fort, and a variety of outdoor activities. Tomorrow, visitors can register to participate in a candlelight tour of the fort. The fort has quite the ambiance with its narrow underground passageways, spiral staircases, and furnished bunkhouse. It also offers a gorgeous view of the Atlantic coast and Cumberland Island. Learn more about reserving your spot 
Dogs & Drinks is a relatively new membership-based dog park and bar. Located in downtown Panama City, it’s a community opportunity for dogs and their human companions. In order to visit, you must purchase a day, month, or annual membership. The membership includes all the dog amenities and access to the human bar – pet friends for the dog, refreshing beer, wine, or cocktails for the human! Dogs & Drinks frequently hosts food trucks and scheduled events such as Paint Your Pet, Puppy Day, and Foam parties. Call (850) 215-4522 to learn more or email dogsndrinks@gmail.com. You can also visit their 
Looking for a way to get your dog more social time? Need a new trail to take your high-energy pups on? Try one of the dog-friendly parks below:
The North Florida Wildflower Festival is held annually on the last Saturday of April in Blountstown, Florida. This year, that means it falls on April 27th. Blountstown is located in the heart of the Panhandle, just an hour from Tallahassee, Panama City, and Dothan, Alabama. Held in the picturesque Magnolia Square and surrounding streets, the event will run from 9am-2pm. 
