Category: Wildlife

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

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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. 

Amazing Grace Family Farm

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Amazing Grace Family Farm is hosting weekly fall fun this October! Every Friday and Saturday, head to Green Cove Springs to explore the Grace Farm’s amazing 2021 maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower field, petting zoo, and more! This year’s maze design was inspired by hometown Olympian, swimmer Caeleb Dressel.

Visit their website for more information on available attractions and to save on the ticket price; pay $18 at the farm or $14 online.

National Wildlife Day

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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!

Alligator Facts

Debbie Roney Smith on

1. There are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida!

2. Alligators have anywhere from 2,000 – 3,000 teeth. While they have a maximum of 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, they lose teeth frequently due to their diet and hunting practices. For comparison, humans only have around 52 teeth!

3. Despite their size and proclivity towards the water, alligators are actually skilled climbers. It’s common to see alligators scaling fences. 

4. Baby alligators are at most risk for alligator cannibalism due to natural population control efforts but even those whole are fully grown may end up another ‘gators meal.

 

 

Bear Paws Adventures

Debbie Roney Smith on

Located at 2100 Bear Paw Lane in Marianna, Bear Paws Adventures offers a natural river float trip in kayaks, canoes, or tubes. They offer equipment rentals and shuttles. Pricing is as follows:

  • Kayak $35 per person; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Canoe $50 for two people; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Bring Your Own Kayak/Canoe $25 per vessel; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Tubing $15-60 
  • Bring Your Own Tubes $10 per person; includes inflating the tubes, shuttle pass, and parking pass

Visit their official website for more detailed information on pricing and to familiarize yourself with the service rules on parking. 

 

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.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve

Debbie Roney Smith on

Seacrest Wolf Preserve was founded by Cynthia and Wayne Watkins in Chipley, 1999. It is a non-profit dedicated to wolf and wildlife conservation. The preserve has experienced enormous growth over the years and is now a large organization focused on education and conservation. The preserve is home to 30 wolves (Gray Wolves, Arctic-Type Wolves, and British Columbian Wolves) as well as a variety of small native species such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

Seacrest offers an unforgettable, educational experience where visitors encounter wolves face-to-face. Not all 30 wolves living at the preserve are approved for this special experience. Seacrest Wolf Ambassadors are those special wolves that have experience and enjoy interacting with human visitors as they learn important scientific information about this amazing keystone species. There are several different types of educational tours offered but reservations must be made beforehand. Due to Covid precautions, they are currently offering only the VIP Tours, Mondays – Saturdays.  

​Visit their official website for more detailed information, or call (850) 773-2897. 

Parks & Recreation: Jackson County

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Jackson County Recreational Areas, Boat Ramps and Landings

Blue Springs Recreational Area 

5164 Blue Springs Rd. Marianna, Florida 32446

Spring Creek Park

4841 Hwy 90 Marianna, Florida 32448

Citizen’s Lodge Park

4574 Lodge Drive Marianna, Florida 32446

Visit the Jackson County parks and recreation website to learn more. 

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.