Discover Roads Less Traveled in SoWal This Fall

Fall is the perfect time to go Ecosploring in Walton County - clear and cool blue skies, sparkling gulf waters, and a breezy, relaxed feeling permeates the air. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with Visit South Walton and Northwest Florida State College, announces the fall season of its popular eco-tourism initiative - Eco Adventures of Walton County.

Discover Roads Less Traveled offers visitors and local residents extraordinary opportunities to explore, discover, and learn about the pristine natural resources that make Walton County unique. Descriptions of the tours being offered are available online at www.basinalliance.org by clicking the Eco Tours information box. Registration is available by phone at 850-200-4160. Prices vary - starting at $15.

The Eco-Adventure schedule was tailored to the seasonal activities of the fall months in Florida. Hike the wet prairies of local state parks; paddle coastal dune lakes; experience Morrison springs; even bike around the local native plant trail to identify butterflies.  In addition, CBA will also offer historical tours, as well as, birding tours with Alan Knothe - a renowned biologist of the area who specializes in bird identification.

Eco-tours are led by local experts who have created a hobby or profession in environmental education. Participants of the Eco-Adventures will gain a better understanding of the different environments in their back yard. The Florida Panhandle, one of the top vacation destinations on Earth, is also known for its vast array of ecosystems. Walton County, rich in biodiversity, is home to a variety of these unusual fauna and flora. Participants can experience these unique environments as they walk the Native Plant Demonstration Garden, or travel to a series of the rare coastal dune lakes.

“Eco-Adventures are an up and coming movement,” said CBA’s Monitoring Coordinator, Brandy Foley.  “Many tourists visit this area for the beaches, which are beautiful, however Walton County in particular has more to offer than that, perhaps off the beaten path.” Foley hopes to see continuous growth in CBA’s Eco-Adventure movement, inspiring locals and visitors to get outdoors and Discover Roads Less Traveled.

For more information about Discover Roads Less Traveled, please contact Brandy Foley at 870-200-4163/ foleyb@nwfsc.edu.