BEACH

Clean up at Spoil Islands in Okaloosa

Keep Okaloosa Beautiful will be hosting a clean up event at the Spoil Islands in the Santa Rosa Sound this month. The clean up will take place on Friday, August 11th starting at 9 AM.

• Volunteers will meet at the first island and fan out to remove trash and debris that has washed up on the shores. 

This is a ‘bring your own transportation’ event. Participants are encouraged to use their own boats, kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to access the islands. Two local boat ramps will serve as launching points – the Mary Esther city pier and boat ramp and the Liza Jackson Boat Ramp.

• The trip to the spoil islands from Mary Esther is approximately half a mile. 
• The distance to the spoil islands from Liza Jackson Boat ramp will be approximately one mile.

The clean up will provide an opportunity to beautify and improve the natural environment of the Spoil Islands, which often collect pollution and debris. Cleanup supplies will be provided by the event organizers.

Those interested in participating can contact Keep Okaloosa Beautiful or visit their website to sign up in advance. If you have any questions contact Kali at khiemier@myokaloosa.com

A MESSAGE FROM BIT-WIZARDS

‘Prepared for life’: How the Gulf Coast Scouts are empowering our youth to be prepared for life’s challenges

Early July in Northwest Florida marks the end of an exciting and adventurous summer for the Boy Scouts of America along the Gulf Coast. 

Led by Scout Executive & CEO, Greg Voyzey, the Boy Scouts of America’s Gulf Coast Council serves eight counties from Pensacola to Port St. Joe, along with three counties in Alabama. And while it is called Boy Scouts, girls are welcome to join and have been part of Boy Scouts of America since 2019.

• With the Summer camp now concluded, the Scouts are gearing up for fall as they prepare to welcome new members into their ranks as the upcoming school year gets started.

During the summer, the Spanish Trail Scout Reservation in DeFuniak Springs became a hub of activity as families and older kids gathered for weeks of adventure. Greg Voyzey explained that this camp provides a unique opportunity for older Scouts to work on merit badges, take part in skill challenges, explore leadership roles, and advance toward the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. 

• The younger Cub Scouts also got their turn in the spotlight during the last week of June, where they engaged in various activities while bonding with their parents.

Voyzey says the Scouts aim and methods center around character development, leadership development, personal fitness, and citizenship. These principles are instilled in Scouts starting from kindergarten until they reach the age of 18, giving them ample time to grow and excel within the program.

The benefits of being involved in Scouting are far-reaching. Voyzey says that while everyone starts at the same time, each Scout has their own unique journey. While some benefit from career exploration through merit badge programs, others develop valuable leadership skills by participating in advanced leadership programs. The Scouts also actively contribute to their communities through various service projects, honing their leadership abilities along the way.

The phrase “prepared for life” resonates deeply with Scout families, and is a phrase that Voyzey believes in. Scouting imparts a diverse range of experiences and skills, ensuring that young Scouts are equipped to navigate life’s challenges successfully.

• “There isn’t one specific thing that a Scout is always going to get, but it’s always about the phrase “prepared for life,” he said. “That resonates really well with our families as they’re thinking about all the things they can put their kids into. Being ‘prepared for life’ is one of the things that really stands out.”

As summer comes to a close, the Gulf Coast Council will soon host their “Joining Nights” across the three counties. These events offer interested families a chance to interact with Scout leaders, learn more about the program, and register their children for a transformative experience.

• Beyond the summer camp and “Joining Nights,” Voyzey urges families interested in learning more to visit beascout.org, where they can find the nearest program based on their location and the child’s age range. Alternatively, you can contact the Gulf Coast Council’s office directly for assistance.

Coming out of COVID, Voyzey says that Scouting has become a beacon of outdoor family activity, offering opportunities for parents and children to bond while exploring nature together. 

• “A lot of our camp weekends that we do in the fall and in the spring time are filled with our families,” he added. “Our families love the opportunity to be able to go and just spend time with their family outdoors.”

To learn more about how your child can embark on a transformative journey with the Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council, visit their website at www.gulfcoastcouncil.org or call their team at 850-476-6336.

BEACH

Niceville’s Boggy Bayou Headwaters Restoration improves water quality & wildlife habitat

The headwaters of Boggy Bayou in Niceville have undergone an extensive restoration project this year that is already showing signs of improving water quality and enhancing natural habitat in the area.

The project was initiated by the City of Niceville through a BP oil spill grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It addressed issues with water quality and habitat conditions near the Turkey Creek outfall into Boggy Bayou.

• Permitted through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, construction on the Boggy Bayou Headwaters Restoration project began in February and is now substantially complete.

Improvements included creating a new western marsh peninsula and installing oyster shell breakwaters on the eastern side near the neighboring marina. These structures help protect vegetation in the headwaters and direct creek sediments into the middle of the bayou rather than allowing the shoreline to become increasingly shallow.

Sediment, debris and vegetation near the State Road 20 bridge was also removed to divert and slow the water flow into Boggy Bayou. New channels now direct the flow east and west, allowing the marsh vegetation to absorb nutrients and sediment that had adversely affected water quality.

• The slower, more diverse water flow is also improving dissolved oxygen levels throughout the headwaters, creating better natural habitat in areas that were previously stagnant, according to the city.

The project has also initiated a two-year program to remove exotic and nuisance plant species throughout the headwaters region. Native vegetation is being planted along shorelines and the newly created marsh areas instead. This “living shoreline” approach will suppress exotic species from re-emerging and enhance the scenic views.

Coconut fiber logs are in place to protect the new plantings until they establish themselves. A five-year monitoring program will assess conditions and ensure the new ecological systems stabilize as designed.

Two osprey platforms were installed extending into Boggy Bayou from each marsh peninsula. Since completion of the project, residents and visitors have already observed teeming wildlife in the area, including high numbers of osprey, bald eagles, herons, terns and other birds. An increase in redfish and smaller fish has also been seen, likely thanks to the newly planted grasses that attract fingerlings.

According to lifelong resident and kayaker Debra Wolfenden, “I have never seen so many ospreys, bald eagles, terns, blue herons and seagulls all in one place.” She added, “I love that grasses were planted to attract the fingerlings, this will be an awesome estuary for them. I am so excited that some positive work is being done to save our beautiful Boggy Bayou and its health.”

The ecological diversity of Boggy Bayou’s headwaters makes it a unique system in Niceville. Once established, the improved habitat and water quality along with the enhanced natural scenery will serve as an environmental treasure for all residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.

A MESSAGE FROM FORT WALTON BEACH CHIROPRACTIC

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic eases back-to-school stress with school physicals

Dr. Scott Smith at Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic is offering physicals just in time for school to start. From back-to-school physicals to sports physicals, D.O.T. physicals for commercial drivers, and even F.A.A. Basic med physicals for aviation enthusiasts, Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic aims to provide comprehensive health assessments for all.

• “We understand the importance of physicals, whether it’s for school, sports, or work requirements,” says Dr. Smith. “That’s why we offer a variety of physicals to accommodate everyone’s needs and make the process as convenient as possible.”

The physicals at Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic involve a thorough examination, beginning with a comprehensive medical history review. Subsequently, vital signs such as height, weight, and blood pressure are recorded. The examination then proceeds with a series of assessments, including listening to the heart and lungs, checking the eyes and ears, testing reflexes, and evaluating hearing and vision.

For parents preparing for the upcoming school year, Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic provides the necessary forms required by the state for school physicals. Alternatively, parents can bring their school-provided packets.

• “We understand that school physicals can sometimes catch parents off guard,” says Dr. Smith. “To ease their stress, we work diligently to schedule appointments as quickly as possible, ensuring that children have their physicals completed before the school year starts.”

For commercial truck drivers and bus drivers needing D.O.T. physicals, the process is equally streamlined. Interested individuals can call the office and schedule an appointment. Before visiting the office, they receive a link to fill out their health history online, making the process more convenient and efficient.

• During the appointment, a urinalysis is conducted, as required by the D.O.T., to assess kidney function. Once the physical is complete, all necessary certification paperwork is provided.

Aviation enthusiasts seeking F.A.A. Basic med physicals can also access the required information online. Their website offers a three-step process for individuals to follow, simplifying the aviation physical certification process.

“For us, it’s all about providing quality care while minimizing the hassle for our patients,” adds Dr. Smith. “Whether it’s for school, sports, commercial driving, or aviation, we want to ensure that our patients meet all necessary health requirements.”

For more information on the various physicals offered by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, visit fwbchiro.com or call the office to schedule an appointment.

BEACH

Diver rescues nurse shark tangled in reef near Okaloosa Island

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. (Ret.), Tazz Felde, 24th Special Operations Wing Occupational Safety Manager, received an unusual call from his wife Monday afternoon. A six to seven-foot nurse shark was tangled up in an artificial reef near Beasley Park off of Okaloosa Island.

“We were made aware of a nurse shark in distress at a reef here in Destin,” said Felde. “Another diver reported that he and his buddy had come across the shark, with a large hook in its mouth, and were unsuccessful at freeing the animal.”

In a video posted to Felde’s Youtube channel, you can see the shark laying on the bottom with a large hook in its mouth. The hook was attached to a steel leader with 100-150 feet of fishing line that had become wrapped around the reef.

• “My wife, Courtney, told me if I didn’t go free the shark she was going to do it herself,” said Felde. “I knew the worst that could happen was that it crushed my hand. He would certainly break my hand if he got it in his mouth, but my concern was making sure that it was freed and able to go about its day.”

Felde cleaned up more than a hundred feet of tangled fishing line while diving to help protect other marine life at the reef.

While working in his off time as the co-owner of Under Pressure Divers, Felde says he always teaches his students to not be afraid of sharks or marine life, and to always leave the water better than they found it.

“I don’t want people to be afraid of them because they’re really no harm to us in the grand scheme of things,” said Felde. “Don’t be scared of sharks. A lot of stuff you see on TV during Shark Week can be scary, and a lot of it is real, but for the most part, sharks don’t really bother us much.”

Click here to watch the video