Guests who booked April stays at Sanctuary by the Sea and Sanctuary at Redfish helped generate a $2,002 donation to the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, money that will go toward protecting one of Walton County’s rare coastal dune lakes.
- Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, which manages the two gated residential communities along Scenic Highway 30A, announced the donation on June 26.
Through its 2026 Earth Day Travel Package, each guest booking during April generated a $26 contribution to the CBA, which monitors and restores Big Redfish Lake and the surrounding waterways.
“Our team is committed to protecting and preserving our local waterways and Big Redfish Lake is one of the area’s rare coastal ecosystems in our region,” said Jeanne Dailey, founder and CEO of Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. “We’re grateful to our guests for choosing to travel with purpose. Their participation helped us give back to an organization that plays a vital role in monitoring and protecting Big Redfish Lake and the waterways that define our coastal landscape.”
Big Redfish Lake is one of 15 coastal dune lakes in Walton County. The lakes are considered globally rare because of their intermittent connection to the Gulf, a feature found in only a handful of places worldwide. The mix of fresh and saltwater supports a habitat for redfish, mullet, herons, osprey and other native coastal species.
The CBA’s work on the lake includes water quality monitoring, shoreline restoration and community education.
Both Sanctuary by the Sea and Sanctuary at Redfish sit along Big Redfish Lake, giving guests direct access for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and fishing. The properties also offer multiple pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, firepits, gas grills and complimentary daily beach service. Guests at Sanctuary at Redfish can take scenic pontoon boat rides to and from the beach.
Founded in 1985 and based in Miramar Beach, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties is celebrating more than 40 years of vacation rental, real estate sales and association management work across South Walton and Destin. The company has supported coastal clean-ups and partnerships with local non-profits as part of its environmental stewardship efforts.