Into the Woods
At first light in a Walton County forest, the air hangs damp and cool, heavy with the scent of pine and palmetto. A white-tailed deer slips through the trees. Somewhere overhead, a woodpecker taps. A father kneels in the sand,…
Nature
Sunken Treasure
Most of us will never star in a Hollywood production, but a few miles off the coast of Panama City Beach, you don’t need to be an A-lister to grace one of Disney’s most iconic movie sets—you just need a…
Shell Shocked
Spend enough time around Destin and Fort Walton Beach, and you will probably meet Tina. Tina is a bit of a celebrity around the area, showing up at parades, visiting classrooms, talking it up with vacationers and anyone else. To…
Guardians of the Wild
Here on the coast, wildlife is never far from view: A sea turtle inches across a sandy expanse; an osprey surveys the marina from above; dolphins crest the waves offshore; and a deer slips quietly through the tree line at…
Fauna Fantastica
The Northwest Florida Panhandle is uniquely positioned to represent a diversity in ecosystems. The Panhandle is split into two ecoregions: the Southeastern Plains (inland) and the Southeastern Coastal Plain (nearshore). Our inland environments boast pine forests, rolling hills, and diverse…
Wild West Weekend
Although it’s only a short drive away, Westgate River Ranch feels like stepping through a portal into Florida’s frontier. Set amid hundreds of acres of whispering oaks and open pastures, this storied property delivers Western charm with an upscale, family-friendly…
Colorado's Reborn Frontier
Travelers flock to the Colorado Rockies for skiing, hiking, and crisp alpine air, but deep in the San Juan Mountains lies a different Colorado altogether. Hidden between stands of blue spruce, ponderosa, conifers, and aspen groves, steaming mineral pools emerge…
Mint To Be
Fresh herbs are a critical component of culinary success; however, they are sometimes difficult to source in local markets. Fortunately, perennial herbs can be easily grown in North Florida, resulting in an almost year-round supply. All that is required is…
All The Buzz
European honeybees are the most commonly known pollinators and are returning from their hives to our local landscapes as the days lengthen. While not native to this continent, honeybees are beneficial to the environment and critically important to agricultural production.…
Riding Life's Waves
During the summer of 2022, Kevin Laliberte, a 41-year-old retired chief master sergeant who served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, loaded up his truck with surfboards, firewood, and a plan. He was on his way to Grayton Beach…
