Wild Turkey Habitat
As Thanksgiving approaches, many people begin thinking about turkeys - and it's hard not to, given how often they appear in seasonal displays, menus, and media. This cultural centerpiece has been a prominent part of Thanksgiving tradition for centuries. If you're more...
2025 Pensacola Scallop Search Report
Introduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once common in the lower portions of the Pensacola Bay system. However, by 1970 they were all but gone. Closely associated with seagrass, especially turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), some suggested the...
Our Environment: Part 19 – Hydroelectric Power
This form of renewable energy has been used for decades. Water at higher elevations flows towards the sea. Placing a hydroelectric dam on such a waterway the flowing water can turn the turbines and generate electricity. It is the number one source of renewable...
New Invasive Species Along the Florida Panhandle – the Thrush Cowrie
They continue to come. Invasive species have always been a problem in Florida and many of the south Florida species are moving north. One of these is a new marine snail – the thrush cowrie. This snail is from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and has been dispersing...
Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 3 – Florida and Georgia
Florida and Georgia are our next two states that are ready for their aquaculture profile. Florida is one of the leaders not only in the South but the whole United States in terms of aquaculture production. Florida is well known for its aquarium trade and food fish...
Our Environment: Part 18 – Solar Energy
We will begin our look at solar energy by explaining there are two forms – passive and active. In passive solar energy the well insulated building is heated directly from the sun without the need for additional technologies. In active solar energy the build has...
Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 2 – Alabama & Arkansas
The two A states in the South, Alabama and Arkansas, kick off our state aquaculture spotlight portion of our series on Aquaculture in the Southern United States. Alabama and Arkansas together contribute about 9% of all Southern aquaculture, with 102 and 55 farms,...
Our Environment: Part 17 – Energy Efficiency
Over the last couple of articles, we have seen how humans moved from a wood-based energy source to coal and from coal to oil. With the onset of the industrial revolution, new innovations such as electricity and transportation, our energy needs have increased – along...
Sustainable Scalloping
I love harvesting and eating local Bay scallops. Port St. Joe Bay is the scalloping area closest to Walton County. These tasty mollusks live in sea grass beds in shallow water. This makes them easy to find simply snorkeling, on a paddle board, kayak or from a boat....
Our Environment: Part 16 – The Future of Energy
In Part 15 of this series, we mentioned the need to begin seeking new sources of energy. Currently fossils fuels are our go-to source, but this source is limited, and the demand is rising. There are also issues with the waste produced from the drilling, processing,...