COASTAL RESOURCES

‘The Deal with Devil Rays’: A free event on the latest devil ray research off Destin-Fort Walton Beach

The Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team is partnering with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to educate locals and visitors about devil rays and an ongoing research project during a free event on November 9th.

• The “Deal with Devil Rays” event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island. Attendees will learn how to identify different types of rays, what makes devil rays unique, and details on the collaborative devil ray tagging and tracking research.

According to Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator with Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, educating the public on local marine life is important.

 “I think a lot of people aren’t aware of how many different species of rays we have in this area,” Valek said. “They are so present and visible in the shallow water that people often mistake them for stingrays or other rays in general.”

Valek explained that another goal of the event is to teach people that devil rays, in particular, are not dangerous despite being rays. 

“There tends to be a common misconception that all rays can sting you, when in reality many species like the devil ray don’t have stingers or barbs,” explained Valek. “We hope that by highlighting how gentle devil rays are, it can help people feel more at ease and comfortable if they encounter them in the water.”

The event will feature scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory, who will provide updates on their ongoing devil ray research project and explain how acoustic tagging works. Attendees will also learn how to distinguish between the different types of rays spotted locally, including devil rays, manta rays, cownose rays, stingrays, and spotted eagle rays.

According to the Coastal Resource Team, devil rays are typically only seen in the area during fall and winter months in small groups of 2-10 close to the shore. The species is classified as “endangered,” likely due to fishing bycatch, and understanding their migration patterns is critical for conservation efforts.

Mote researchers first began studying devil rays in Northwest Florida last November,  teaming up with the Coastal Resource Team to track the species’ movements. Other entities involved in the project include the Georgia Aquarium, Manta Trust, USGS, and the Gulfarium and the Gulfarium CARE Center.

• The collaborative research aims to shed light on devil ray behavior and ecology to inform future management strategies.

The upcoming event will allow locals and visitors to learn more about these mysterious creatures and appreciate their presence just off the coast. Valek emphasized the importance of public education for promoting marine conservation.

Moving forward, Mote is encouraging people to help with their study of devil ray movements by reporting their sightings on the Mote website, even if they were years ago. Click here

A MESSAGE FROM ERA AMERICAN

Blood drive and rivalry tailgate party ahead of the ‘big game’ between FWBHS vs. Choctaw

A rivalry football tailgate party with a twist is coming up on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, ahead of the Fort Walton Beach Vikings vs. Choctawhatchee Indians game.

• Real estate agents Wayne Myshin and Nance Wendel with ERA American Real Estate are hosting a community blood donation tailgate party from 1-7 p.m. at Props Brewery, 125 Lovejoy Rd. in Fort Walton Beach, leading up to the big game. 
• Proceeds will benefit the winning school’s booster club with a $1,000 prize.

The event will feature live music from 4-7 p.m., food, beer, and friendly competition between fans of the rival teams. Attendees can take part in football throwing and other games to rack up points for their side.

“We’ll tally up the points during the day as people throw the football,” said Wendel. “That’s actually the one which counts towards the $1,000 check.”

The OneBlood bloodmobile will be onsite from 1-6 p.m. People who come to donate blood will receive a free beer ticket and 15 minutes of games at the adjacent Battle Axe venue. Additional game time can be purchased.

Fans are encouraged to wear their team colors. The check presentation to the winning school’s booster club will take place at a later date.

• Kickoff for the rivalry game is at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach High School following the tailgate. 

Wendel, who has lived in the area for 10 years, and Myshin, a 40-year resident, decided to organize the event after a successful blood drive they held together earlier this year. The real estate duo obtained certifications in probate and divorce real estate and have teamed up to market their specialized services to attorneys in the area.

“Our overall objective of course is to get blood donated,” Wendel said. “And we decided to build it into an event where we could gather sponsorships and donate money to the boosters of a ‘winning competition’ between the two teams.”

NEWS

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge awarded $108K grant for education and outreach expansion

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has been awarded one of 11 Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 grants for 2023-24, the organization announced Wednesday.

• The $108,364 grant will support the expansion of the refuge’s education and community outreach programs focused on teaching wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, according to a statement.

“The Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 Grant represents a significant milestone for our organization and underscores the extraordinary dedication of our team and supporters,” said Pascal Robin, executive director of the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. “This grant will empower us to make meaningful progress in our mission to educate children, students and adults to help protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Emerald Coast.”

The nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center plans to use the funding to construct an environmental education pavilion called “Wild Pursuits” to enhance its capacity and outreach.

The Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 awards grants each year to area nonprofits through a collective giving model that pools donations from over 500 women members.

• “The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge extends its deepest gratitude to Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 for their commitment to native wildlife, the environment, education, and for recognizing the importance of their work,” said ECWR.

Located in Navarre, Florida, the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has provided care to injured and orphaned animals and participated in conservation efforts along the Gulf Coast for over 15 years.

THINGS TO DO

8th annual ‘Tricks & Treasures’ at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

A Halloween evening filled with family-friendly fun awaits visitors to The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island this year.

• The popular destination will host its annual Halloween celebration on Tuesday, October 31, featuring trick-or-treating, live entertainment, games, contests and more from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A highlight of the event is a walkabout parade featuring costumed characters like the Parjai Squad Star Wars characters and stilt-walkers. DJ Mantra will provide music for the parade and throughout the evening.

The Boardwalk will also offer carnival games, pirate magic shows with Captain Davy and Kirby-Jake and the Crossbones, balloon artists, jugglers and a costume contest.

Families can pick up a treasure map (AND your KIDS EAT FREE! voucher) at the main entrance to take part in a trick-or-treating adventure along the Boardwalk. Completing the map earns a special treat from The Crab Trap restaurant.

The evening will end with a fireworks show at 8 p.m. The Boardwalk promises a “spooktacular night that’s a blast for the whole family.”

COMING SOON

Okaloosa begins major renovation plans for aging Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

The first steps are underway for a major renovation of the aging Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach.

On Monday, local media were given an extensive walking tour of the 20-acre fairgrounds property by Okaloosa Commissioner Trey Goodwin, Tourism Director Jennifer Adams and Fair Association Manager Brian Sparling. 

• The group provided an inside look at the current state of the site and initial plans for upgrades and improvements to revitalize the facilities.

The property was purchased by the county earlier this year from the City of Fort Walton Beach for $4.05 million in bed tax funds, with a commitment to keep it for public use. The fairgrounds have served the community for decades, but many parts have deteriorated over the years.

“If we don’t keep it for the community, we can’t reinvent it anywhere else that I can see,” Goodwin said. “Here you are in South Okaloosa County with this type of facility on roughly 20 acres…You couldn’t go and find this anywhere else in our county.”

The tour commenced at the original but now closed front entrance. For decades, visitors would purchase their tickets at the booths and enter the fairgrounds property. Now, the entrance has moved to the west side of the building. 

Inside, Commissioner Goodwin walked the group through various interconnected buildings that were added on over the years. Walking into the 12,000 square foot event hall constructed in the 1970s, Goodwin recalled how he attended All Sports Association banquets there as a child with his father. It was there that he remembers listening to Bobby Bowden give a sermon at the podium.

• While a bit rough around the edges due to wear and tear, he said the large concrete and steel structure can be refurbished into “a really nice facility.”

The outdated kitchen area was noted as needing heavy renovations. Goodwin said that despite the facility’s age, “those that have been operating this have done a really good job of doing the best they can with what they’ve got available.”

Out back, the open field used for fair rides and vendors contains some worn outbuildings constructed decades ago that may not be salvageable. Despite the dated structures, there is a lot of history just sitting out there. 

• Two of the buildings were constructed in the 1980s when 10,000 Cuban refugees were housed on the property from the Mariel Boatlift exodus. The refugees lived on the property for about 10 months. 
• Not too far from those buildings is an old stage that Dolly Parton allegedly performed on many decades ago. 

As you walk through the thousands of square feet of building space, it is clear that some will need to be torn down. But Goodwin said the primary structures have potential for renewal.

One example is a large room currently used for art shows and events like roller derby. Upgrades to aesthetics and amenities will enable more white tablecloth events, while still accommodating staples like the Fair and gun shows. 

According to Goodwin, loud outdoor concerts (like Dolly) are less suitable than in the past due to more nearby residential development. But he said the goal is keeping the fairgrounds’ characteristic uses while making it attractive for more events.

According to Tourism Director Jennifer Adams, the sales team at the Convention Center has already been out on the property and are working with Brian Sparling to identifying what type of groups, meetings, events and fests they can bring fairgrounds.

• “One of the things at the convention center is we’re outgrowing the facility for cheer groups,” she said, a testament to the growing event. “We would want them to stay here [in the destination] and come here [to Okaloosa] and have another facility and these buildings have been a key part of that.”

Agricultural facilities related to 4-H were also viewed, reflecting the site’s original purpose decades ago. Goodwin acknowledged that the agricultural component of the fairgrounds is smaller today due to urbanization, so the advisory committee will consider its future role.

Goodwin said master planning for the property should be complete within a year to determine purposes for each area. Work would then be done in phases as funding allows over an estimated multi-year timeframe.

The newly formed volunteer Okaloosa County Fairgrounds Advisory Committeeis also providing input after an initial September tour. The group will meet again Nov. 1 to start refining ideas for improvements.

Goodwin thanked the City of Fort Walton Beach for selling the property to the county, which will enable the fairgrounds to remain for public use, building on its long history as an event venue. Standing in front of a marquee sign that read ‘A dream come true. Better fairgrounds for you,’ Goodwin added…”It says ‘for you,’ but really it’s for the community.”

• “It doesn’t matter if you live in the city, if you don’t live in the city. It doesn’t matter if you live in the South Okaloosa or North Okaloosa,” he said. “This place can have a purpose for you, and that’s making it a better fairgrounds. We’re not taking away its characteristic as a fairgrounds. We can build off what’s been done by others who came before us, but really make it something special and really, ensure that this place is going to be here for the long run.”