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Meet ‘Bob”, the newest rehabilitated blue heron released at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

On Monday, Saltwater Restaurants Inc. celebrated the release of a rehabilitated blue heron named “Bob” in partnership with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. The event took place at Al’s Beach Club and Burger Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. “Bob” was found entangled and injured by a local resident earlier this summer. Upon arrival, […]

On Monday, Saltwater Restaurants Inc. celebrated the release of a rehabilitated blue heron named “Bob” in partnership with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. The event took place at Al’s Beach Club and Burger Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

  • “Bob” was named in honor of Robert “Bob” Bonezzi, founder of Saltwater Restaurants, Inc.

“Bob” was found entangled and injured by a local resident earlier this summer. Upon arrival, staff at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge were able to X-ray the heron and noticed more entanglement internally as well as two fishing hooks. 

  • The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge provided medical care and rehabilitation for the bird, which they say is representative of the over 2,000 native Florida wildlife the refuge cares for each year. “Bob” is patient number 1,021.

The release marks a continuing collaboration between Saltwater Restaurants and the wildlife refuge. As part of their S.E.A. Initiative (Safety, Environment, Activities), Saltwater Restaurants donated $10,000 to support the refuge’s conservation efforts.

(pictured left to right): Mike Rhodes, Amanda Flores, Jim Bridges, Pascal Robin (Executive Director, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge), Chris Karejwa, Penny Wahab, Heather Parsons, Nick Sarra (CEO, Saltwater Restaurants), John Perry, Anthony Flores, Jessica Knowlton, Michele Willingham, and Brooke Johnson

“Herons are very important to our area because they are indicators of ecological health,” said Pascal Robin, Executive Director of the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. “Without partnerships like S.E.A, ECWR would not be able to afford to provide the care our shorebirds and marine mammals require.”

The S.E.A. Initiative aligns with Saltwater Restaurant’s goals of serving their local community while protecting the environment, according to CEO Nick Sarra.

  • “The S.E.A. Initiative is at the heart of what we believe in,” said Sarra. “We are not just about serving great food but also about safeguarding our environment and fostering community activities that families can cherish.”

Saltwater Restaurants will continue supporting the refuge by selling a special “Blue Heron Cocktail” at participating locations. A portion of proceeds from each cocktail will go directly to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge.

For more information about the Saltwater Restaurants Inc. S.E.A. Initiative visit https://www.saltwaterrestaurants.com/sea

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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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