Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles (FOSWST)
Newsletter - August 2023
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INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) day is coming up in September. ICC is one of the world's largest annual events devoted to the preservation and protection of our oceans, waves, and beaches. Come out, bring your family and be a part of this major volunteer event!
When: Saturday, September 16
Where: South Walton Beaches
Who: Everyone is invited
A volunteer signup sheet will be emailed at a later date.
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"MEET AT THE BEACH"
All VBAs are invited to come out to meet a member of the FOSWST Board and other VBAs from your area. This is a time when you can walk, talk, and share your experiences with other VBAs. Although signing up for this event is unnecessary, we ask that VBAs wear their 2023 Teal T-shirts to these events.
When: Thursday, August 3 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Inlet Beach
Who: All VBAs are invited
When: Saturday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ed Walline
Who: All VBAs are invited
When: Saturday, August 10 at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Miramar Beach
Who: All VBAs are invited
When: Saturday, August 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Santa Clara
Who: All VBAs are invited
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WHERE'S THEO?
Theo products include small and giant plush turtles, key chains, books, ornaments, caps, paintings, pillows, and placemats. Here are a few more of the locations where the Theo items can be purchased: Ben and Jerry's, Rosemary Beach Trading Company, The Blue Giraffe, and Ava's Attic. For more information about each location, click on the pictures to connect to their website. Note, links are enabled for locations which have a secured website.
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INTRODUCING THE ROYAL TERN | |
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A member of the Gull-Tern-Skimmer family, the Royal Tern forages by flying over the water, hovering and plunge diving to catch prey below the surface. Their diet is mostly small fish and crustaceans. The Royal Tern builds its nest in dense colonies on beaches and islands.
You can distinguish between a tern and a gull in that gulls do not plunge dive to get their food. A gull will dip its head into the water to catch fish or scavenge on the shore for food.
Note: According to the National Audobon Society, people should not feed the birds at the beach because feeding them could attract predators to eggs and chicks.
Sources: The National Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab.
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EDEN GARDENS STATE PARK
WHERE BEAUTY, SOLITUDE, AND SPECIAL EVENTS THRIVE
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Located off North CR395, Eden Gardens State Park occupies 163 acres of land in Point Washington. The fully restored 1897 mansion, originally the home of lumber baron William Henry Wesley, sits in a spectacular setting of moss draped live oaks and beautiful gardens. The Wesley family sold the property in the 1960's and on Christmas Eve, 1968, the new owners donated Eden to the Florida Park Service. The Wesley mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Eden Mansion on July 20, 2021.
Eden Gardens is beautiful year-round. The property is most colorful when hundreds of camellias and azaleas are in bloom. The mansion can be toured daily.
VBAs can tell visitors to place it at the top of their list of things to see while on vacation in Walton County. Eden Gardens State Park should be shared with everyone, local residents and visitors alike.
To learn more about Eden Gardens and all that the park has to offer, click on the following link to visit their website.
friendsofedengardens.com
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SPOTLIGHT ON VISITORS
The visitors to our beaches that came in July included guests from Orlando, Georgia, and Texas. The first picture on the left shows three sisters from Orlando visiting their grandparents who live in Inlet Beach. While here, the girls told us that they love to go to the beach, shop, and swim at the pool. The three men in the right picture came to Walton County from Texas. During their stay, "Squiggy", a large but friendly octopus kite, made his inaugural flight over our white beach. If you look closely, there is an "Orca" kite following "Squiggy." VBAs were told that both kites will return next year with their owners. The family of five in the lower left picture is from Georgia. After hearing that the sea turtle is the favorite animal of the mother of two, VBAs were able to tell her some sea turtle trivia and discussed the reasons why our beaches need to be kept #CleanDarkFlat. Special thanks to our VBAs for welcoming and educating our visitors.
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VBAs OF THE MONTH
Jim and Carmen Henderson
Jim and Carmen begin their frequent walks at Miramar Beach. During their walks, these dedicated VBAs have talked with hundreds of visitors and are instrumental in keeping the beach at Miramar #CleanDarkFlat. Jim and Carmen's service is an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Jim and Carmen, for being valuable VBAs and for the many hours you have dedicated to helping FOSWST!
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UNSUNG HEROES OF SOUTH WALTON COUNTY:
THE BEACH MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Meet Dillon Groce, a South Walton Beach Maintenance employee. Including the Miramar Regional Beach Access, Dillon maintains seven miles of South Walton's beautiful beaches and regional beach access facilities. Dillon begins his day at 5 am and helps to keep the beaches #CleanDarkFlat. Let's remember to say "Thank you" to Dillon and other dedicated South Walton Beach Maintenance employees the next time we see them.
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VBA EDUCATION TEAM AT THE OHANA SUMMER CAMP 2023
Members of FOSWST will be conducting sea turtle training for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders attending Camp Ohana on August 2-3, 2023. On Wednesday, August 2nd, VBA volunteers will provide classroom training and on Thursday, August 3rd, the students and VBAs will go to the beach to continue the education with activities that mimic sea turtles and picking up trash for #CleanDarkFlat.
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REMINDERS
VBAs are no longer allowed to use their Blue whistles on the beach.
Don't forget to turn in your VBA hours. Click here to enter your hours VBA Hours
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2023 TURTLE SEASON IS
MAY 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31
WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR BEACHES #CleanDarkFlat
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Please send your comments and photos of VBAs in action to vba@foswst.com. We would love to hear from you! | | | | |
