Railroad vine blooms near Blue Mountain Beach.

Beautiful summer plant strengthens sand dunes

Each flower opens only once, in the morning, but keep blooming almost all year long, peaking from May through November.


The railroad vine is native and part of the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) Family. It is an herbaceous vine that grows wild on ocean shores from Florida to Texas and Georgia.
They open in the early morning and close before noon each day that the plant is in bloom. Small, round seedpods that contain four velvety, dark brown seeds appear on this plant after flowering.
General Information:
Scientific name: Ipomoea pes-caprae
Common name(s): railroad vine, beach morning glory, goat's foot vine
Railroad vines can run as long as 100 ft.

Catherine Badger, a designer from In Depth details a bald eagle for the exhibition hall at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center.

Designers work on finishing touches at
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

Other features of the Center include multi-purpose classrooms, science labs, dioramas, and a 160-seat theater. In addition, visitors to the Center will have an opportunity to learn about the natural environment both indoors and out, along an extensive trail system .9-mile long, with a 610 ft. boardwalk that crosses through a hardwood swamp, and around a beaver pond. Grand opening slated for Sept. 12.
The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center is on the south side of Highway 20 between Freeport and Bruce, approximately 4 miles east of Highway 331.
For related story, Click here For more information about the Center go to: http://www.eowilsoncenter.org/

South Walton Turtle Watch Group volunteer Dawn Ratcliffe gets ready to release loggerhead turtle into the Gulf.

Juvenile turtles get second lease on life

South Walton Turtle Watch Group volunteers Sharon Maxwell and Dawn Ratcliffe successfully released two rehabilitated loggerhead turtles into the Gulf of Mexico on June 30.
The two turtles, approximately 3-years-old have been recovering from pneumonia at Gulf World for the last 4 months. The turtles were discovered washed ashore last March.
Good luck little one!



Jason Hatcher of Freeport donated his time and 20 ft. Kenner Center Console boat for the release of the turtles. Jason captained his boat more than 4 miles offshore for the release, to ensure the turtles would not encounter fishing boats for the first leg of their new journey.
For more information about the South Walton Turtle Watch Group go to seaturtlewatch.com

WaltonOutdoors.com is an online zine for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida and the surrounding area. Lori Ceier can be reached via email at lori@waltonoutdoors.com

Sad news for turtle nesting as loggerhead
unable to find place to lay her eggs

South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers continue to struggle to find turtle nest success in South Walton. These photos were taken by volunteers June 17. The above photo shows where a loggerhead turtle attempted to nest but was unable due to obstructions left on the beach. No one knows for sure why she gave up, but it appears the tracks spell out the message. The photo below shows the abundance of items left overnight along the beaches in Miramar Beach. Without a clear path to a nesting area beyond the high tide line, turtles will simply give up and go back to the Gulf. As of June 17, there has been 11 successful nests laid.

WaltonOutdoors.com is an online zine for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida and the surrounding area. Lori Ceier can be reached via email at lori@waltonoutdoors.com

Local environmental advocates team up to educate public

Local environmentalist Arix Zalace has a message to share. As the producer of turtle-safe flashlight filters, Arix has teamed up with the South Walton Community Council and created a four-and-a-half minute educational documentary to enlighten both children and adults about sea turtles and the dangers they face.

The SWCC has underwritten the documentary, and the DVD is available for distribution free of charge for local educators and the public.

The colorful and informative video explains the importance of our sea turtles in the balance of the sea, and the struggles they face to survive.

It also describes how humans can ensure a healthy future for the ancient creatures by taking sensible measures, such as filling holes in the sand and not leaving items or garbage on the beach.

Anita Page, Executive Director of SWCC hopes the video will enlighten beach goers to do the right thing when visiting the beach during turtle nest season May 1 – Oct. 31.

“We hope this is educational – empowering people to make the right decisions such as using turtle safe lighting,” Anita said.

Sharon Maxwell, president of South Walton Turtle Group is pleased with the video and getting out the message as well.

“It is so good to see a public minded group in South...