By Heather Bennett Eye
Do you have an impact on where you live and the environment around you?
The answer is yes! You can have an impact, and the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program is asking for your help. How can you help? How does this program affect you? Let’s look at the importance of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program, the impact of their Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP), and how communities can come together to help the environment in which we all live.
When we think of Choctawhatchee Bay, we think about boating, kayaking, fishing, enjoying a day at Grady Brown Park, or having a meal with family and friends at The Bay or Nick’s Seafood. More than that, it’s also home to redfish, mullet, flounder, oysters, the endangered giant gulf sturgeon, and of course dolphins, which we all love to watch. The bay is an important part of our ecosystem and economy.
So, what is an estuary? “An estuary is where freshwater (rivers, streams, and the Bay) meet the ocean,” explains Sabina Pennington, Public Outreach Specialist with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. Beyond the Choctawhatchee Bay is the watershed that feeds the estuary, which is larger than most of us know. It’s about 5400 square miles – north as far as Clayton, Alabama, and as far east as Chipley, Florida. “The Estuary Program helps connect people to our waterways so they can understand that water is our most important natural resource and the role water plays for our communities,” said Sabina. “We show the wonders of estuaries and the necessary role they have [in] our environment. They aren’t just natural marvels; they significantly benefit our communities and bolster our economy. We strive to ensure that everyone, particularly those in underserved communities, can enjoy the beauty of nature and benefit from a clean environment now and for future generations.”
If the Estuary Program helps us protect the watershed, the CCMP is like the standard operating procedure. “It serves as our guiding compass, directing our efforts towards addressing the most pressing priorities and issues in the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed. Think of the CCMP as a roadmap, charting a course to preserve the ecological health and balance of our coastal areas,” explained Sabina. “It creates a to-do list of actions needed to have a positive influence on our future waterways and help preserve our beautiful Emerald Coast. This plan helps provide guidance across political boundaries and shows the commitment of stewardship for the estuary’s ecological importance.”
Some of the goals of the CCMP include ensuring our water remains clean and abundant, preserving and nurturing the diverse ecosystems within our region, responsible planning and consideration of land use, spreading awareness and knowledge about our natural resources, and building the strength and capacity of our communities to withstand environmental challenges and response to natural disasters.
So how can you help? We’re glad you asked! In October 2023, the Estuary Program will be posting a draft of their CCMP on their website, ChoctawBay.org. They are asking all citizens to review and post comments. The Estuary Program wants to hear from you. Your opinion matters.
If you are interested in learning more about the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program, please visit ChoctawBay.org. You can also join local committees such as the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). Committee members come from diverse backgrounds, who all care about our waterways. This committee is an important link between the Estuary Program and the public. If you are interested in joining a CAC meeting, you can email Sabina at spennington@myokaloosa.com for meeting dates and locations. The next meeting will be October 26, 2023. Another opportunity is for High school-age heroes to sign up for our Teen Environmental Action & Community Heroes (TEACH) group. Want to get involved? Volunteer for events that help spread the message of the Estuary Program and protect our waterways. Below is a list of upcoming events; check out the website for more details, locations, and times.
September Events:
* September 16th – International Coastal Clean-up 8 – 10 a.m. 6 locations, including Walton County @ Surf Hut (551 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach, FL)
* September 16th – Emerald Coast Native Plant Fair in Valparaiso 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
* September 20th – Schools Across the Panhandle Clean-Up Day (email Sabina to sign up your school)
* September TBD – Educational Hands-On “Where’s My Water” at local libraries
* September 23rd – Annual Choctawhatchee Bay Family-FUN-Fest at Rocky Bayou State Park 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Author: Sowal Editor
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