News

RESTORE and the Gulf

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) July 10, 2025 meeting covered a number of important topics and drew significant public participation. Among the items discussed was a change to the County’s proposed Multi-Year Implementation Plan Amendment 4 (MYIP 4) for use of RESTORE funds. MYIP 4 had previously rescinded the request made in MYIP 3 for $3.6 million to acquire Perdido Key beachfront property for public access – said to be targeted for the vacant lot just west of Beach Access #3. It was rescinded apparently because the owner of the land wanted more than the County was willing to pay for the property. The deletion is not in the revised version of MYIP 4, so the MYIP 3 proposal for beachfront land acquisition remains relevant. Some of those speaking in favor of purchasing the beachfront land recommended adding $1 million of County funds to the RESTORE grant, presumably to address the property owner’s asking price. Also deleted from the new version of the MYIP 4 proposal was the request for $5 million to upgrade the Galvez Landing boat launch, perhaps a consequence of public opposition to the proposal expressed at the June 30, 2025 Commissioner Stroberger Town Hall. The revised MYIP 4 proposal was unanimously approved by BCC. In addition, Commissioners approved by a 3 to 2 margin a proposal to change references in the Escambia County Code of Ordinances from the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America.” Most public comments were against the change, including Christian Wagley who added environmental concerns over proposed oil and gas exploration in Florida’s Gulf. For commentary on MYIP 4, see the July 25, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Escambia postpones Galvez Landing project, opts to fund Perdido Key beach access instead” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2025/07/25/escambia-explores-buying-gulf-property-on-perdido-key-for-beach-access/85345582007/.

Bauer Road Fire Station

Escambia County Commissioners approved a land exchange with the US Navy to reestablish Fire Station #20 – Paradise Beach on Bauer Road. 31.15 acres of county-owned land at O’Conner-Colling Community Park will be exchanged for 5.26 acres of property owned by the US Navy off Bauer Road. For more on this issue, see the July 25, 2025 Escambia County Press Release “Escambia County, U.S. Navy to Hold Signing Ceremony July 31” at https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/720ABDCF4B1A1E28013640E76A5A7B2458084606.

SS United States Lawsuit Dismissed

The “New York Coalition to Save the Steam Ship United States” appealed to Federal Courts as well as high US officials including President Donald Trump to prevent the historic ocean liner SS United States from being sunk off the northwest Florida Gulf Coast as an artificial reef. On August 6, 2025, US District Judge M. Casey Rodgers ruled the coalition “lacked constitutional standing to challenge the county’s [Okaloosa] plan to sink the 990-foot vessel in the Gulf off Destin-Fort Walton Beach.” The ship is undergoing preparations for sinking in Mobile where its iconic funnels are being removed for later display at an onshore commemorative museum. For more on the lawsuit, go to the August 7, 2025 Get the Coast article “Federal court clears path for Okaloosa’s SS United States artificial reef project, dismisses lawsuit” by Jared Williams at https://www.getthecoast.com/federal-court-clears-path-for-okaloosas-ss-united-states-artificial-reef-project-dismisses-lawsuit/. For information on the museum, see the August 4, 2025 Workboat article “SS United States funnel removed for museum” by Workboat Staff in Passenger Vessels at https://www.workboat.com/passenger-vessels/ss-united-states-funnel-removed-for-museum.

Johnson Beach Road Subdivision Approved

Escambia County’s Development Review Committee (DRC) approved a proposal for the “Isabella” subdivision on 9.85 acres off Johnson Beach Road on Perdido Key. Developers plan “to create 40 lots for single-family homes” to include a new road named “Giovanna Way.” Drawn from August 1, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “From Perdido Key to Beulah, over 130 new homes approved by Escambia County in July” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/07/31/new-escambia-subdivisions-adding-houses-in-perdido-key-beulah/85411737007/.

Final 2025 Hurricane Forecast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) continues to forecast an above-normal hurricane season with 13-18 total named storms, five to nine hurricanes with two to five major hurricanes. “‘Many of the factors we identified ahead of the season are still at play, and conditions are largely tracking along with our May predictions,’ said Matt Rosencrans, lead hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction.” For more on this issue, see the August 7, 2025 USA Today article “Final hurricane season forecast warns storms are coming soon” by Doyle Rice at https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2025/08/07/noaa-final-hurricane-season-forecast-2025/85557804007/.

Gulf Breeze Underground Utilities

The City of Gulf Breeze is completing the first phase of its $18 million conversion to underground utilities. Phase 1 goes along Highway 98 from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Daniel Drive. The project has been “in the works” since 2018 and will move onto Phase 2 “for all of our neighborhood collectors,” said Gulf Breeze City Manager Samantha Abell, with expected completion by the end of 2026. “For our community, not just for the beauty of the city, and what we’ve done through the landscaping of the main medians, but just for the security and for the comfort of knowing that they’re just protected one more level,” said Gulf Breeze Mayor JB Schluter. For more on this issue, see the July 21, 2025 WEAR NEWS3 article “Gulf Breeze set to finish phase one of $18M project to move utility lines underground” by Hannah James at https://weartv.com/news/local/gulf-breeze-set-to-finish-phase-one-of-18m-project-to-move-utility-lines-underground.

Commissioner Stroberger Town Hall

Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger held a Town Hall on June 30, 2025 at Liberty Church. Attended by a fair-sized audience, the event began with discussion among the Commissioner and attendees about safety and traffic on local roads, particularly Sorrento Road and the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout. The Commissioner covered timelines for expected improvements to some roads as scheduled by the Florida-Alabama TPO (Transportation Planning Organization). Additional discussion was intense at times over Escambia County’s proposal to use RESTORE funding to change the Galvez Landing boat ramp area. Escambia County’s Natural Resources Deputy Director Tim Day provided additional information about the Galvez Landing proposal while Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons had discussed Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and Florida Highway Patrol roles in traffic enforcement and safety, along with the benefits of speed trailers. Escambia County’s YouTube recording of the event is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKjci7r9TCQ.

Customary Use Legislation

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure cancelling the 2018 law that prevented local governments (significantly applied to Walton County) from passing measures granting “customary use” to private beaches without hearings and legal proceedings. “At the heart of the Walton County issue is customary use, which is legally defined as the traditional use of dry beach sand for public recreation – even on private property.” For more on this issue, see the June 24, 2025 USA Today Network – Florida article “DeSantis inks bill to reopen Panhandle beaches to public, but law echoes through Florida” by John Kennedy at https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/24/desantis-signs-bill-reopening-florida-panhandle-beaches-to-public/84331806007/.

Happy Birthday Fran!

Many many people turned out for Fran Thompson’s 70th Birthday Party in Gulf Shores. Fran is the editor/publisher of the beloved Mullet Wrapper that keeps all of us on the Gulf Coast informed about local happenings. The celebration included presentation of a “Mullet birthday cake.” Many happy returns Fran!

E-bikes on Paths

Florida law allows electric bicycles on the same paths as regular bicycles. Some are concerned about the interaction of pedestrians and regular bicycles with motorized bicycles, as well as motorized scooters and skateboards. For recent commentary on the issue, see the August 10, 2025 Treasure Coast Newpapers editorial “Florida has an e-bike and electric scooter problem. It’s time to fix it.” At https://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2025/08/10/electric-bikes-scooters-in-florida-need-better-regulations-our-view/85545369007/?tbref=hp.

Business Advice from SBDC

Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a briefing at Hub Stacey’s given by Joshua Hartigan, Business Consultant with SBDC at the University of West Florida’s Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) “provide counseling and training to small businesses including working with SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion.” The assistance available to small business owners or those contemplating beginning a small business seemed valuable. Mr. Hartigan can be contacted at jhartigan@uwf.edu; sbdc.uwf.edu; and 850 474-2528.

More on Insurance Rates

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulations predicts vehicle insurance rates will drop by 6.5% in 2025 following the 4.3% increase in 2024, perhaps due to state tort reforms. Florida insurance rates remain among the country’s highest with only five states averaging higher premiums. For more on this issue, see the July 31, 2025 Palm Beach Post – USA TODAY NETWORK article “After years of car insurance rate increases, some huge costs are going down. Here’s why” by Anne Geggis at https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/finance/2025/07/31/florida-car-insurance-rate-increases-finally-going-down-heres-why/85428165007/.

Community Planning and SB180

1000 Friends of Florida has raised concerns about recently passed Florida statute SB180. The law was passed as “hurricane recovery legislation,” but according to 1000 Friends, with the legislation “the state has stripped away all local government home-rule authority to plan for the future and stolen the rights of citizens to help shape their communities through planning.” For more information on this issue, go to 1000 Friends of Florida Position Statement “Restore Community Planning: Fix SB180” at https://1000fof.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SB-180-analysis-summary.pdf.

High Bacteria Levels at Navarre Beach

The Florida Department of Health – Santa Rosa found that samples taken at two Navarre Beach locations did not meet the “recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health” and “advises against any water-related activities at this location due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers.” For more on this issue, see the July 25, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Health Department: High bacteria levels at Navarre Beach pose health risk” at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/07/25/navarre-beach-water-quality-advisory-issued-by-health-department/85372467007/.

Young Sea Turtles and Least Terns

The first Perdido Key sea turtle hatch of the season (May to October) occurred on July 16, 2025 with the loggerhead hatchlings making their way to the Gulf despite distractive lighting. With area shore birds, three colonies of least terns (a threatened species in Florida) have nested on Perdido Key State Park beaches this summer. There have been “multiple successful fledges (young birds with their flight feathers)” already with the nesting season still underway. Beach goers are encouraged to continue respecting nesting zones and keeping our beaches “bird-friendly.” For more information on sea turtle hatches, go to the Escambia County Newscenter article “Perdido Key Celebrates First Sea Turtle Hatch of the Season” at https://myescambia.com/news/news-article/2025/07/18/perdido-key-celebrates-first-sea-turtle-hatch-of-the-season; to report sea turtle sightings call 866 732-8878; for dead or injured sea turtles, contact Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-281-5904 or FWC Wildlife Alert line at 1-888-404-3922; least tern commentary was drawn from the July 29, 2025 Friends of Pensacola State Parks Newsletter article “Nesting Least Terns at Perdido Key State Park” by Paton Glaze.

First Panhandle Landowner Assistance Expo

Several Florida state agencies along with the University of Florida’s UF/IFAS have organized the “2025 Panhandle Landowner Assistance Expo” for area landowners to be held on August 23, 2025 at the Walton County Fairgrounds. According to advertisement: “Whether you own land for timber investment, agricultural or other rural use, homestead and lifestyle, or are involved in outdoor recreation through hunting clubs or similar activities; you will find great information and connections at the Expo!” For more information, go to 2025 Panhandle Landowner Assistance Expo! | Panhandle Outdoors.

Drilling in the Gulf

The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) may pass a resolution to oppose new oil and gas operations in the Gulf under the “eleventh National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.” The action is being considered because the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management could include eastern Gulf waters off Florida for new offshore oil and gas lease sales. Concerned about “potential ecological damage and negative impacts to local tourism,” SRIA officials have also called on “District 1’s federal representatives to oppose the Florida Gulf’s inclusion in the upcoming program.” Earlier in May 2025, environmental group Earthjustice filed a lawsuit against the US National Marine Fisheries Service alleging failure to protect endangered species in the Gulf from offshore drilling activities. “The lawsuit claims that more than two dozen species listed as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act call the Gulf home, including the critically imperiled Rice’s whale, of which only about 50 remain, and the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most endangered sea turtle in the world.” For more on the issue, see the June 13, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Officials oppose new oil, gas plans for Gulf” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/06/13/oil-gas-drilling-florida-gulf-pensacola-beach-santa-rosa-island-authority/84128927007/ and the May 25, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Earthjustice groups sue Trump administration to protect endangered Gulf species” by Tom McLaughlin at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/environment/2025/05/25/earthjustice-says-trump-administration-is-out-to-get-imperiled-rices-whale/83787554007/.

Transportation Budget Cuts

The Florida-Alabama TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) conducted a public workshop at the Orange Beach City Council Chambers on June 23, 2025 for inputs to its draft 2050 Long Range Transportation Cost Feasible Plan that will update/replace the 2045 Plan; identical workshops were scheduled for June 24 and 25 elsewhere in the Pensacola area. The workshops will be followed by a Steering Committee meeting on July 15, 2025 at the Pensacola Bay Center and Cost Feasibility Plan Adoption by the TPO and Committees on August 12 & 13, 2025 at the Gulf Breeze Community Center. A significant take away from the June 23 public workshop was the decline in anticipated revenue for right-of-way construction from $449.9 million in the 2045 Plan to $325.5 million in the 2050 Plan. To access the 2050 Plan, go to https://www.ecrc.org/programs/transportation_planning/plans_and_documents/long_range_transportation_plan/2050_lrtp_documents.php.

Florida Budget and the Environment

1000 Friends of Florida tracks environmental issues in Florida and has expressed disappointment with the Florida legislature’s recent budget. Issues include perceived low funding for the “Florida Forever” land acquisition program and rescinding commitment to “dedicate at least $400 million in annual revenues from Seminole Gaming Compact to land acquisition and management, water protection and community resilience grants.” 1000 Friends perceived some success with the allocation of $250 million to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to keep agricultural lands in production. For more on these issues, see the June 19, 2025 The Bradenton Times article “Budget setbacks outweigh success as extended session concludes” by 1000 Friends of Florida at

https://thebradentontimes.com/stories/budget-setbacks-outweigh-successes-as-extended-session-concludes,148793.

Fatal Crash at Perdido Key Drive and River Road

As reported in the Pensacola News Journal, “an off-duty Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was the driver who struck and killed two pedestrians in a crash Independence Day weekend.” The crash took place on Perdido Key Drive near the River Road intersection and remains under investigation. For more on this issue, see the July 7, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “FHP: Off-duty ECSO deputy was driver who struck, killed two pedestrians in July 5 crash” by Benjamin Johnson at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/07/07/escambia-deputy-killed-pedestrians-with-car-while-off-duty/84496393007/.

FEMA Concerns

With recent FEMA staffing and budget cuts: “Experts worry there simply is not enough funding and personnel to go around when the next disaster hits.” For more on this issue, see the July 19, 2025 Florida Times-Union article “FEMA’s funds are dwindling rapidly” by David Sherfinski at https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-florida-times-union/20250719/281492167350122?srsltid=AfmBOorel5u8ASOh5y3_qqPmrWp9CAblVC7Md0Dfv88A9YiCdgX-HPN6.

Pensacola a “Top Mid-Size Metro”

The Pensacola metro area was “one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas” on the LinkedIn (a business/employment social network) list of “cities on the rise” – citing employment opportunities and “professional migration in recent years” for the ranking. Pensacola was the only Florida city on the list though some others were not included because of LinkedIn membership criteria. For more on this issue, see the July 18, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “LinkedIn ranks Pensacola metro area as one of the top mid-size U.S. cities on the rise” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/07/17/pensacola-rankings-linkedin-us-cities-on-the-rise-new-jobs/85234091007/.

Escambia Road Improvements

Escambia County recently released a list of completed road improvement projects, including to Bauer Road and Siquenza Cove. To access the list, go to “Escambia County Engineering Highlights Road Resurfacing and Improvement Projects” at https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/15735AA7D3D068B1ABD7A4BC2CE0D6871479E78D.

How to Help Florida State Parks

The Friends of Pensacola State Parks is a terrific non-profit organization pursuing multiple projects to enhance our local Florida State Parks, including recent acquisition of new playground equipment at Big Lagoon State Park. Projects like this need funding so here is a great opportunity to help out and have a good meal: The Texas Roadhouse on Davis Hwy is hosting a Friends’ fundraiser on August 19, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 9 PM where 10% of your meal expense will go to the Friends of Pensacola State Park. There will be flyers at the restaurant explaining the procedure which should only involve placing the paper receipt for your meal in a container near the exit. Thanks!!

OLF 8 Sale Moving Forward

At its June 5, 2025 meeting, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution “authorizing the conveyance of OLF-8 to Tri-W Development, LLC, and Chad C. Henderson Enterprises of Pensacola II, LLC” along with other decisions required for the sale. This appears to end the long effort to sell and move forward with development of the huge Beulah property, but hopefully the beginning of a project that nearby residents and all of Escambia County will view with pride. For more on this issue, see the June 9, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Escambia County finally approves sale agreement for OLF 8” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2025/06/05/escambia-county-finally-approves-sale-agreement-for-olf-8/84046701007/.

Pensacola Loses Ground as Preferred City

U.S. News just release its Preferred City List “based on value, desirability, job market and quality of life.” Of the 859 cities analyzed, Pensacola was ranked No. 166, a drop from No. 31 in 2024 but also noting 150 more cities were on the list than last year. Pensacola was the “No. 17 best place to retire and the No. 8 best place to live in Florida.” For more on this issue, go the June 2, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola drops 135 spots on US News & World Report’s best places to live list” by Brandon Girod at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2025/06/02/pensacola-ranked-no-166-best-place-to-live-us-news-world-report/83991815007/.

75 Ft Easement Decision Accepted by BOCC

On January 9, 2025 the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners affirmed the Honorable Jan Shackelford’s decision to grant the County’s motions “to dismiss for failure to join indispensable parties…” in the litigation by six affected Perdido Key condominium Boards of Directors to invalidate the 75 ft public access easement on beach property from the Perdido Sky Condominium to Perdido Key State Park. A discussion of the case is available in the January 2, 2025 Rick’s Blog entry “Escambia County wins dismissal of Perdido Key lawsuits” at https://ricksblog.biz/escambia-county-wins-dismissal-of-perdido-key-lawsuits/ noting the opinion that all affected lot owners must participate in litigation “challenging shared easement rights.”

SLAM PROJECT CONTINUES…

Local researchers have been collecting dead snakes in sufficiently good condition for analysis to determine if the invasive snake lungworm (pentastome parasite) has reached the Panhandle region of Florida. According to a November 6, 2024 Sea Grant Note from Rick O’Connor, no parasites were found in the 15 samples collected thus far. But the project continues so residents are asked to be on the lookout for dead snakes that are not flattened by traffic. Here is the guidance for collection and delivery:

 

If you find a dead snake in good condition and want to participate, you should…

1. Place the snake in a large ziplock bag, inside another large ziplock bag. 
2. Label the outside of the bag with the following information

• Your name
• The location where the snake was found (GPS is best, but a home address will work – or description – will work)
• What type of snake it is (if you know)
• Date

3. Bring the snake to the Escambia County Extension Office

 

NOTE: DO NOT PICK UP A DEAD VENOMOUS SNAKE WITH YOUR HANDS.  USE A RAKE (ETC.) OR CONTACT Rick O’Connor AT roc1@ufl.edu

River Road RV Park Proposal

Old River Resort is proposing an RV park to be built on River Road just north of the Florencia condominium. The park may have 26 RV sites, 12 bungalows, various amenities including a pool and restaurant and a parking area on the other side of River Road. The proposal has not yet been reviewed by the Escambia County Development Review Committee. For more on this issue, see the article October 9, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “RV park and restaurant could be coming to Perdido Key” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/10/09/rv-park-and-restaurant-old-river-resort-coming-to-perdido-key/75457922007/.

Fish Farm

The off-shore fish farm proposed for the Gulf of Mexico about 26 miles south of Pensacola is in the permit approval process. US agencies including NOAA and important interest groups support its creation while some environmental and other groups are opposed. It would be the first major finfish farm in US federal waters though a small scale operation is approved for the Sarasota area but delayed by legal challenges. Concerns about off shore finfish farms include likely increase in nutrient levels in surrounding waters, possibility of disease spreading from fish farms to native species and dangers to whales and other sea life from the apparatus. The Perdido Key Association has joined the “Don’t Cage Our Oceans” coalition that opposes the fish farm. For information on the opposing initiative, go to Don’t Cage Our Oceans | STOP INDUSTRIAL OCEAN FISH FARMING (dontcageouroceans.org); for the website of the group proposing the fish farm, go to Florida Offshore – Manna Fish Farms; for an early report on the proposed fish farm, go to the July 20, 2023 Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola may get one of Florida’s first offshore fish farms, and some are already worried” by Colin Warren-Hicks at Manna Fish Farms seeking to open Gulf of Mexico farm near Pensacola (pnj.com).

2025 World Oceans Day

The 2025 World Oceans Day celebration held on Sunday, June 8 at the Perdido Key Community Center had a good turnout from local residents and visitors, allowing them to view presentations and exhibits by organizations such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, manatee and sea turtle watch groups, Florida State Park, Friends of Pensacola State Park, local library representatives and the Perdido Key Association. Some emphasis was given to the “wonder of the oceans” as mentioned in the 2025 United Nations World Oceans Day theme but also the endangered Rice’s whale, proposed offshore fish farm near Pensacola, and threats to the ocean and its creatures.

2025 PKA Annual Membership Meeting

The Perdido Key Association held its Annual Membership Meeting on February 22, 2025 at the Eden Condominium. PKA president Stan Capua covered meeting preliminaries, various Perdido Key construction and development issues as well as PKA activities in 2024. Featured speaker Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger discussed his decision to run for office in 2024 and his campaign’s visits to over 6,000 residences. Responding to questions, he expressed an open mind for changes to the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout and noted funding has not been committed for underground utilities on Perdido Key. He hoped the outdoor bathroom status at Escambia County beach access locations on Perdido Key could be improved and does not plan to go forward with changes to Beach Access #3 until his concerns were addressed. He also discussed crosswalks on Perdido Key Drive and planned to schedule routine maintenance along the now-completed Perdido Key Multi-Use Path. The Commissioner expressed hopes Escambia County would provide better information about its funding and spending activities and mentioned possible creation of a “waterfront district” for Escambia County coastal areas. PKA president Capua also introduced the 2025 PKA Board of Directors: Stan Capua, Connie Walters, Mae Dean, Mark Richardson, Steven Huggins and Charles Krupnick along with new Directors Karen Rolen and Paul Frechette; Suzanne Kenworthy continues as PKA Administrator. The minutes for the meeting are posted on the “Archive” page of the Perdido Key Association website.

PKA Holiday Party 2024

Perdido Key Association held its annual Holiday Party on December 12, 2024 at the Palacio Resort-Perdido Key on Perdido Key Drive. Though a slim turnout this year, all who attended enjoyed wonderful decorations, great food and drink and best of all good company!

A Great Perdido Key Beach and Road Cleanup!

Perdido Key celebrated International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024 with a terrific turnout that helped cleanup our beaches and major roadways. Working from 8 AM to Noon, 65 volunteers hit the beaches and 40 took to the roads collecting trash they then deposited in containers provided by ECUA. Event sponsors included Florida State Parks Rangers, Perdido Key Association, Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce, and Friends of Pensacola State Parks with many additional donors funding the commemorative t-shirts provided to cleanup volunteers.

Not a Snake?

The foot-long wiggler in the photo was spotted on a River Road parking lot and thought to be a ribbon or garter snake. But Rick O’Connor – Escambia County’s Sea Grant Representative – identified it as a glass lizard (Ophisaurus in the family Anguidae), so named because its brittle tail can break off and the animal still function. For identification purposes, lizards had ear openings and eye lids while snakes do not. The River Road lizard found a haven in some pine straw.

Worms in the Gulf!

Not to worry, according to Rick O’Connor in his article “Marine Creatures of the Northern Gulf – Worms.” “Though we may be ‘creeped-out’ about the presence of worms in the northern Gulf of Mexico, they are not threatening to us and are an important member of the marine community cleaning decaying creatures and waste material from the environment.” Our region does not have any common earthworms, but other segmented creatures like sepurlid worms can be found and may leave “small skinny calcium carbonate tubes” on shoreline features like rocks and piers. For more on Gulf worms, check out the May 16, 2025 UF/IFAS article at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2025/05/16/marine-creatures-of-the-northern-gulf-worms/.

Jellyfish in the Northern Gulf

No one wants to tangle with a jellyfish on a Florida or Alabama beach, but it can happen and it hurts! But jellyfish are “captivating and often misunderstood inhabitants of the Gulf of Mexico.” For more on this issue, see the May 02, 2025 UF/IFAS article “Marine Creatures of the Northern Gulf – Jellyfish” by Rick O’Connor at Marine Creatures of the Northern Gulf – Jellyfish | Panhandle Outdoors.

Invasive Aquatic Plant Hydrilla

“More public funds are spent managing hydrilla than any other aquatic plant in Florida’s waters,” but perhaps because of cold weather die-off it currently has limited discovery in the western Florida panhandle. Hydrilla is a “submerged aquatic plant that will grow up to and across the surface of freshwater habitats” where it can form dense mats. It has “small whorled, saw-toothed, and pointed green leaves grow from the stem” with small “solitary white flowers [that] grow from extended threadlike stalks coming from the stems and resting on the surface.” To read more about hydrilla identification and management, see the askifas article “Hydrilla: Florida’s Worst Submersed Weed” by Lyn A. Gettys and Stephen F. Enloe at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG404.

Spectacular Black Skimmers!

Black skimmers are not very prevalent around Perdido Key, but one was recently seen cruising passed beachgoers near the Gulf water’s edge with its lower beak piercing the water’s surface to spear a meal. With black and white coloring, red-orange beak and legs plus remarkable fishing skills skimmers are fun to watch – particularly when a squadron of them patrols back and forth across smooth estuary waters. Keep a look out for these incredible birds!

Snails and Slugs

Rick O’Connor takes us into the vast world of mollusks with perhaps 150,000 species with just a quick look at local snails and slugs. These are creatures you might find by examining seaweed on the beach, on a snorkel adventure or perhaps looking at coastal cordgrass. There might be whole or fragments of Florida fighting conchs, olive snails or oyster drills. For more on these and other crawly creatures, go to the June 12, 2025 UF/IFAS article “Embrace the Gulf 2020 – marine snails and slugs” by Rick O’Connor at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2020/06/11/embrace-the-gulf-2020-marine-snails-and-slugs/.

Sea Turtle Fun Facts

How do female sea turtles find their way back to where they were born to lay their eggs? They detect small changes in the earth’s magnetic field that help them find their way. For more cool information about sea turtles, see the October 15, 2016 UF/IFAS article “5 Weird Facts about Sea Turtles” by Erin Spencer at https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2016/10/21/5-weird-facts-about-sea-turtles/?ea.tracking.id=25LPGABNXX&utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=202507_EmojiDay&utm_content=20250717-WorldEmojiDay-Prospects-Email1A-25LPGABNXX.  

Ghost Snails

Another invasive species knocking at the door of the Florida Panhandle is the small conical shelled ghost snail from South America. It is light brown and may typically be found near gardening areas. It poses a threat to agriculture and possibly humans because it can carry harmful parasites. For more on the ghost snail (Bulimulus bonariensis), go to the July 31, 2024 UF/IFAS Blog entry “Bulimulus Snails: Ghoulish New Florida Resident” by Yvette Goodiel at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/martinco/2024/07/31/bulimulus-snails-ghoulish-new-florida-residents/.

An Ocean of Plastic?

An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastics that should go to landfill or recycling efforts ends up in the ocean – equal to a garbage truck of plastic every minute. This is in addition to enormous amounts of plastic fishing gear and microplastic fibers and particles. To read more about plastic and the oceans, see the October 23, 2023 Ocean Conservancy article “How Much Trash is in the Ocean?” by Britta Baechler at https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2023/10/23/how-much-trash-is-in-the-ocean/?ea.tracking.id=25LPGATNXX&utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=202507_PlasticsC&utm_content=20250709-PlasticsCultivation-Prospects-Email1A-25LPGATNXX.

Invasive Species Survey

As informed by Escambia County Sea Grant representative Rick O’Connor, a PhD student at the University of Florida is conducting a research survey to understand public perceptions of “13 ‘iconic’ invasive wildlife species in Florida.” If you would like to participate in the survey (which takes 8-10 minutes and is confidential), go to https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Rl1RPLSdZ6kxaS.

Report Rare Snake Sightings

Sea Grant gathers snake sighting reports to inform local area residents about snakes they are likely to encounter. Some snakes are becoming rare with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) particularly interested in sightings of Eastern Diamond-Backed Rattlesnakes, Eastern Indigo Snakes, Florida Pinesnakes, Rainbow Snakes, Short-Tailed King Snakes, and Southern Hog-Nosed Snake. If any are sighted and hopefully photographed, please consider making a report to FWC at https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/amphibians-reptiles/snakes/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=campaign.

Thrush Cowrie in Northern Gulf

The Thrush Cowrie sea snail has spread from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean through the Caribbean, southern Florida and has been identified in Panama City and likely elsewhere in the Panhandle. It has a beautiful shell but “spreads quickly and could disrupt native ecosystems.” Drawn from August 1, 2025 Rick O’Connor e-mail and July 19, 2025 Bailey-Mathews National Shell Museum & Aquarium article “Thrush Cowrie in the Florida Panhandle” by José H. Leal at https://shellmuseum.org/blog/thrush-cowrie-in-the-florida-panhandle/.

Human Footprint on the Environment

For recent July 25, 2025 UF/IFAS articles on the environment by Escambia County’s Sea Grant Representative Rick O’Connor, go to “Our Environment: Part 13 – We Need Space” at Our Environment: Part 13 – We Need Space | Panhandle Outdoors; for the July 25, 2025 article “Our Environment: Part 14 – Managing Urban Growth” go to https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2025/07/25/our-environment-part-14-managing-urban-growth/ and for the August 7, 2025 article “Our Environment: Part 15 – We Need Energy” go to https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2025/08/11/our-environment-part-15-we-need-energy/.

Sharks and Ocean Data

Researchers are evaluating the use of tagged sharks to gather data to improve hurricane prediction. “‘By attaching these tags … to sharks, which are wide-ranging, mobile predators, we will be able to observe a much larger part of the ocean that typically remains unobserved,’ said marine ecologist Aaron Carlisle of the University of Delaware in an email to USA TODAY.’” For more on this issue, see the July 30, 2025 USA TODAY article “Sharks vs. hurricanes? Scientist say predators can help track huge storms” by Doyle Rice at https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/25/hurricanes-forecasts-sharks/85346626007/.