Monarch Predators Revisited: A Beneficial Insect is a Beneficial Insect
by Rob Diaz De Villegas A few weeks ago, I saw an image just like the one above. The photo up there is one of a couple I’ve taken of a paper wasp carrying off a tiny monarch caterpillar. On that day in 2019, my kids were watching and were not happy that I didn’t stop […]
Nokuse Plantation and its 300 Year Mission to Restore Longleaf
Nokuse Plantation founder M.C. Davis had a vision for a 300-year mission: to restore 55,000 acres to native north Florida habitats. Starting 2000, the former professional gambler spent $90 million to purchase 55,000 acres of former paper company land in Walton County. Watch the Video below:
Audubon EagleWatch Program
Based at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Audubon EagleWatch seeks information about Bald Eagles, active nest locations, and possible disturbances or threats to nesting activities. As one of the premier community science programs in Florida, EagleWatch works to protect approximately 40% of the state’s nesting pairs. Nearly brought to extinction by hunting in […]
Biophilia Center
The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is located in Freeport, Florida, about 30 minutes from the Coffeen Nature Preserve. The Biophilia Center is a state-of-the-art environmental education center nestled within a 55,000-acre wildlife preserve called Nokuse Plantation. Founded in 2009 by conservationists M.C. and Stella Davis, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center educates, on average, over 120 […]
Planting Florida Wildflower Seeds in Florida
The optimum time to plant Florida wildflower seeds is late September through late December. After germination the small seedlings are totally frost hardy. Our natural rain patterns will allow them to continue to grow through the winter and give you a beautiful flush of spring color. If you plan the seed mix right you can […]
Wintering Hummingbirds
Many people in the Florida panhandle enjoy Ruby-throated hummingbirds during summer and fall but are not aware a hummingbird might spend the winter in their yard. People take down their feeders during late fall because of the mistaken idea that feeders will entice hummingbirds to remain and then succumb to cold weather. When it is […]
Lake Fuller – Coastal Dune Lake
There are many aspects of the Coffeen Nature Preserve that make it unique, perhaps the greatest is Lake Fuller. Coastal dune lakes are quite rare. There exist only 25 in the world, and 15 are located here in Walton County. Why are they so rare? What makes them so different? Other places on earth where […]
Land Turtles
While driving through the Preserve, one will occasionally see some turtles. Turtles are divided into those which are aquatic and those which are terrestrial, such as the box turtle and the Florida gopher tortoise. There are several species of box turtle (eastern, ornate, and Florida). It has the unique feature of being able to fully […]
Yards and Landscapes
Early spring is a great time to think about the land that surrounds your house. Fortunately, you have plenty of choices. One of them could be to make your yard an extension or part of the Nature Preserve. Everybody likes pollinators, but pollinators need native plants and trees. Bees are the main pollinators for fruits […]
Minimizing Conflict With Venomous Snakes
As hot weather engulfs the area, expect to see more snakes, which includes rattlesnakes. The eastern diamondback and the pigmy are the most common in this area. Snakes like all reptiles are exothermic and depend on the warmth of the day to maintain their body temperature and stimulate digestive activity. They are the most recognizable […]