News Release

For: Week of February 4, 2002

by: Christina M. Verlinde

      Marine Extension Agent

      Santa Rosa County

 

 

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming

Natural Resource and Marine Activities in Our Area

 

If you are interested in marine and natural resource issues and events in our area, there are many upcoming opportunities to get involved and learn more about our natural environment. 

_    On March 2nd the 14th Annual Pensacola Junior College’s (PJC) Forestry Conclave and Lumberjack Festival will take place at the PJC Milton campus from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  There will be plenty of hands-on activities (for children and adults) along with natural resource information and activities.  Come and join the fun.  

_    March is Seagrass Awareness Month.  March 16th is the date for the 2nd Annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration.  Activities will take place at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.  There will be games, prizes, touch pools, hermit crab racing, seagrass and responsible boating information, along with plenty of good food. 

_    April 22nd is Earth Day.  The mullet festival fairgrounds in Niceville will be the scene of a record breaking Earth Day Celebration.  More than 100 environmental education displays will be set up on the grounds.  The event is open to the public beginning Sunday, April 21st.  The following two days will bring more than 10,000 students from Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties! 

_    The Bay Area Resource Council’s annual spring symposium will be May 10th.  The focus for this year’s event will be stormwater.  Local and regional experts will present pertinent information concerning stormwater impacts, regulations and solutions.  

_    In May, the oyster gardening project will begin!  We still need volunteers to help pick up and deliver oyster shells, drill and string shells, and hang strings from their docks.  This project is in conjunction with Project Greenshores, which is a FDEP initiative to enhance marine habitat along the north shore of Pensacola Bay, just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.    This project has many volunteer opportunities, as well as promoting increased water quality by the creation and enhancement of oyster reefs.  During feeding, oysters take in phytoplankton, algae, bacteria, viruses, sediments and chemical containments.  This increases water quality by reducing the amounts of contaminants and promotes water clarity by reducing sediments in the water column.  An adult oyster can filter approximately 35 gallons of water in a day!  Oyster reefs offer protection, food, and habitat to many types of marine organisms.   


_    June 1st is National Trails Day.  Many exciting events are being planned at the Blackwater Heritage Trail in Milton.  This is a multi-use trail that features an array of diverse ecosystems along its 8.5-mile path.  The Blackwater Heritage Trail visitor’s center is located across from the Milton Library.  

_    3 marine science oriented summer camps will be held at Camp Timpoochee in July.  Camp Timpoochee is located along the north shore of Choctawhatchee bay just outside of Niceville.  These camps consist of activities such as snorkeling, fishing, canoeing, swimming, field trips, marine mammal programs, and more!  Participants will have hands on opportunities to learn about marine science activities and careers.

For information on these events and volunteer opportunities, contact Chris Verlinde, Santa Rosa County Marine Extension Agent at 623-3868, (from the south end of the county 939-1259 ext. 1259).

 

For information on environmental and marine issues, please contact Chris Verlinde at

623-3868 (for south county residents 939-1259, extension 1259). 

 

Chris Verlinde is Marine and Sea Grant Agent for Santa Rosa County.

 

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.