COASTAL RESOURCES

Destin-Fort Walton Beach gears up for ‘Earth Day Cleanup’ across Okaloosa beaches

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and Saltwater Restaurants are preparing for the annual Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 8-10 a.m.

• The event aims to bring the community together to remove trash and debris from local beaches, protecting the environment and wildlife.

The cleanup will take place at multiple locations, including:

• The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
• The Crab Trap/James Lee Park
• The Surf Hut
• Norriego Point
• Henderson Beach State Park

Volunteers from businesses, government agencies, communities, and families are encouraged to participate and can register online, but it’s not required.

“The Earth Day Cleanup is a great way to bring the community together and do good for the environment,” said Jessica Valek, Coastal Resources Coordinator, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism. “Removing trash and debris not only protects the environment but also the health of our communities and local wildlife.”

Earth Day 2023, volunteers collected 3,000 cigarette butts during the cleanup. Marine debris poses a significant problem for the local ecosystem, causing health issues for seabirds and coastal marine life. This collaborative effort aims to keep beaches pristine and help wildlife thrive.

Participants will receive an event t-shirt (limited quantities, first come, first served), and a complimentary post-cleanup breakfast will be available at The Boardwalk, The Crab Trap / James Lee Park, and The Surf Hut locations. 

• Volunteers are asked to bring their own bucket, mesh bag, gloves, and grabbers to collect trash. They should also dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and sunscreen.

“Although the Earth Day Cleanup is held only once a year, we should treat every day like Earth Day to ensure future generations have a clean and safe home,” Valek added.

SCHOOL

Elliott Point Elementary hosts inaugural Career Day, inspiring students

Elliott Point Elementary School in Fort Walton Beach held its first annual Career Day on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in partnership with the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. 

• The event, the first of its kind for any elementary school in Okaloosa County, exposed students to a wide range of future career opportunities and featured speakers from various professions, including doctors, engineers, media, travel experts, government officials, city employees, and more!

Principal Scott Nuss, the driving force behind the initiative, emphasized the importance of planting the seed of career aspirations in young minds. 

“The basis of today is to really plant a seed for our kids to start thinking about what they want to do in the future,” Nuss said. “We want to bring the community back to the schools. We’re helping each other out and where we’re providing, hopefully one day, the workforce for those businesses in the area.”

Throughout the day, each classroom hosted a minimum of two presenters, with the speakers tailored to the appropriate grade level. Students were engaged and excited, with some even dressing up as their favorite careers. And while all of the classes asked questions, fourth and fifth-graders came prepared with detailed questions for the presenters.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers, who spoke to a fifth-grade class, was impressed by the students’ insightful questions and answers. 

• “I was blown away by the questions that they had and the way that they were able to answer questions,” Chambers said. “When you talk to fifth graders, you never know what you’re going to get, but the sophistication of questions and answers, and even knowing what they want to be one day when they grow up, I was blown away.”

Chambers also stressed the significance of career days in preparing students for their future. “Career day is extremely important to us. When students leave Okaloosa Schools, we want them prepared to go to college, the military, the workforce. The more that we can acclimate students to future potential careers, it’s important,” he said.

Cindy Gates, an Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation Board Member and former Principal, noted that while ‘career fairs’ have long been a focus at the secondary level, having a full-blown career day dedicated to elementary students is a new and important development. Gates also highlighted the potential for students to share their newfound knowledge with siblings and parents, potentially inspiring career changes and exploration within families.

• “There’s so much opportunity out there but right now is when they need to start talking about it with their friends, parents, siblings and even their grandparents,” she said. “Because if they were able to take home one thing today related to a career, that would be a win.”

Debbie Tate, from the Okaloosa County School District, took on the task of contacting potential speakers for the day. After compiling a list of confirmed speakers, she worked to pair them with different grade levels, sometimes based on subject matter. 

One of the speakers Thursday morning was Dr. Amanda Finley, from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.

• “Being at Elliott Point Elementary for career day reminds me of the importance of nurturing curiosity and ambition in young minds, and reminding them they can achieve anything they set their minds too” said Dr. Amanda Finley, DO FACOI FACP. “It’s not just about teaching them about the field of medicine, but showing them the dedication and passion their local physicians have too.” 

Before the event was even over, Principal Nuss and the school administration were already planning for next year’s Career Day, taking into account feedback and aiming to set the bar for all elementary schools in the district. 

“We’re going to sit down after this gets done, see what worked, what didn’t work, and then start planning for next year already,” Nuss stated. “When we say annual, we want it to actually be annual. We want to be a part of the community and get kids ready to start thinking about what they want to do when they get older.”

The inaugural Career Day at Elliott Point Elementary School not only inspired students to dream big but also strengthened the ties between the school and the community.

THINGS TO DO

Military Family Appreciation Day to honor service and sacrifice in Downtown Fort Walton Beach

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee is set to host Military Family Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at The Landing in Fort Walton Beach.

• The outdoor event, presented by Forever Warriors, aims to pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of local military families and veterans.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities and attractions, including live entertainment supported by Stage Sponsor, Eglin Federal Credit Union, a free children’s play area, and booths hosted by veteran service organizations.

• Attendees will also be treated to complimentary food and drinks throughout the day.

“We are excited to bring together the local community for this special day to honor our military families and veterans,” said Rachelle Graves, Director of Special Events for The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for businesses and individuals to show their appreciation and support for those who have given so much for our country.”

Military Family Appreciation Day serves as a platform for local businesses and organizations to demonstrate their support for the military community. The event promises to be a memorable one, offering a day of fun, community, and recognition for the sacrifices made by military members and their families.

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce invites all to join in this celebration at the Landing Park, located at 139 Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can find all of these stories on our website!

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While I love bringing you a curated selection of stories each morning, I understand that sometimes you may want to dive deeper into a particular topic or share an article with friends and family.

• By visiting our website, you can explore each story in greater detail, view additional images and multimedia content, and easily share your favorite articles on social media or via email.

Plus, our extensive archive of past features means you can always catch up on any stories you may have missed or revisit a favorite piece. So, the next time you find yourself wanting more, head over to GetTheCoast.com and discover all that our coastal community has to offer.

As always, thank you for being a part of the Get The Coast family. I’m committed to keeping you informed and connected, one story at a time.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

April 19, 2024 – Super Sew Day – Free – View

April 19, 2024 – 15th Annual Student Poster Contest – Free – View

April 20, 2024 – 2024 Earth Day Beach Clean Up – Free – View

April 20, 2024 – Construction Junction – Free – View

April 20, 2024 – Autos for Autism Car Show – View

April 20, 2024 – Run4Health 5k Color Run and Walk – $30 – View

April 20, 2024 – City of Niceville Big Truck Day – Free – View

April 20, 2024 – Folk School Classes at Traditions Workshop – Viking era knife – $120 – View

April 20, 2024 – Military Family Appreciation Day presented by Forever Warriors – – View

April 23, 2024 – Homeschool Science Fair – $7 – View

April 25, 2024 – Conservation Conversations – Free – View

April 25, 2024 – Concert in the Village: Yacht Rock Revue – – View

April 26, 2024 – Health & Wellness Expo 2024 – Free For Visitors – View

April 27, 2024 – Heritage Museum 48th Annual Saturday in the Park – Free – View

April 27, 2024 – K-Pop Fair – Free – View

May 1, 2024 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

May 2, 2024 – Concert in the Village: The Mulligans –  View

BEACHES

Okaloosa County sets new rules for beach hole digging and tent sizes

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to consider an ordinance amendment addressing two primary issues:

• Prohibiting oversize beach equipment setups and;
• Limiting the size of holes dug on the beach. 

Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey explained that the ordinance aims to prevent crowding on the beach during busy summer months and enhance public safety by preventing sand collapse incidents that have led to child deaths in other areas.

Under the new ordinance, holes dug on the beach must be attended, filled up when leaving, and limited to a size of 3 feet by 3 feet and no deeper than 2 feet. Additionally, tents and sun shades will be limited to a maximum size of 10 feet by 10 feet, with larger tents allowed only through a beach activity permit. 

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who proposed the ordinance, stated, “I asked staff to bring this forward after a child died in Escambia because the sand collapsed on the child. If we can prevent it by such an ordinance, I ask my fellow commissioners to support this.”

Commissioner Nathan Boyles supported the ordinance, particularly the portion related to hole digging, but emphasized the need for parental responsibility and encouraging beach users to understand the risks. 

• He also raised concerns about the potential for large groups to circumvent the tent size limitation by stacking multiple tents together, suggesting that the county monitor the situation and adjust as needed.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin expressed hesitation about adding regulations without demonstrating a clear need, suggesting that education and outreach could be a more effective approach. He proposed the idea of including a sunset clause in the ordinance, requiring staff to provide data demonstrating the problem and the ordinance’s effectiveness after a period of 24 months. 

• However, this proposal did not gain traction among the other commissioners.

Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox addressed the issue of holes being dug in the sand, stating that it has been a long-standing problem. He emphasized that the ordinance is not intended to reduce children’s ability to play in the sand but rather to prevent them from digging holes too deep and creating hazards for sea turtles and permitted vehicles traveling on the beach.

Coffey emphasized that the county’s approach is primarily focused on education, with the ordinance providing a standard to address outliers who may not comply with requests to fill in large holes. 

• He mentioned that the county had met with staff, beach and chair vendors, and various owners from Okaloosa Island to make adjustments to the draft ordinance language.

The ordinance will take effect on May 1st, with the county planning to install signage at beach access points to educate visitors about the new rules.