Course Description: We will start at the Pavilion and walk the Turkey Creek Nature Trail’s one mile boardwalk and back. Our guides will assist in plant identification and wildlife sightings, while we stroll along the floodplain forest edge of the stream, as bald cypress, red bay and Atlantic white cedar tower overhead. This tour is on Friday, October 18.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Friday, October 18, 10:00-12:00, at the Turkey Creek Pavilion, 340 W John Sims Parkway in Niceville.

Class Leader Bio(s): Sheila Dunning is the Commercial Horticulture Agent with the University of Florida Extension Service of Okaloosa County. Sheila has a vast knowledge of Florida’s natural resources and shares that knowledge through her many publications and presentations. 

Course Description: This tour will take you on walking trails with a focus on flora, fauna, imperiled species, waterways, solar power and sculptures along the trails. This 115 acre eco-retreat promotes respect for nature. Come learn about the second purist water in the country. This tour is on Monday, October 21.

Notes: This one time tour will meet on Monday, October 21, 10:00 - 12:00, at Shoal Sanctuary Nature Preserve and Sculpture Trails, 1475 Crowder Chapel Road in Mossy Head. A detailed map will be provided. Screened pavilions are available if you want to bring a picnic lunch. Donations are greatly appreciated to help offset the maintenance of the grounds.

Class Leader Bio(s): Robert is a sculptor and a retired college professor where he taught Philosophy. Chris was the first female paramedic in Okaloosa County. She is also a retired college professor who taught Psychology. They are so looking forward to sharing their preserve with you.

Course Description: The Emerald Coast Science Center’s mission is to inspire and grow a scientifically engaged community. The indoor and outdoor exhibits include robotics, electricity, color, light, sound, space, and our ecosystem, to name just a few. Their room sized iPad, called the sciPad exhibit, embodies a learning environment where every person is up, moving, and collaborating. Working together, you can solve puzzles, create stories, study the world, and create digital masterpieces. This one- time class will meet on Wednesday, October 23.

Notes: This one- time tour will meet on Wednesday October 23, 10:00 to 12:00, at the Emerald Coast Science Center, 31 SW Memorial Parkway in Fort Walton Beach.

Class Leader Bio(s): Diane Fraser is the Executive Director of the Emerald Coast Science Center. Diane solicits community involvement and support to keep the Science Center alive and growing.

Course Description: Coffeen Nature Preserve is a private preserve located in South Walton County. We will learn about its military history and Eglin’s connection to the preserve. The land was leased by the military in 1944. It was used as a missile launching area. Come visit this little slice of history right in our backyards. This tour is on Friday, October 25.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Friday, October 25, 10:00- 12:00, at 146 Coffeen Nature Preserve, Coffeen Hill Road, Santa Rosa Beach.Please carpool if possible.

Class Leader Bio(s): Judy Kennington is a retired teacher from Walton and Holmes Counties. She developed her own agricultural curriculum for the schools. Her passion is environmental education and preservation.

Course Description: Eglin’s Natural Resources Management, known as Jackson Guard, was awarded the 2019 Secretary of Defense Natural Resources Conservation Award.  Jackson Guard deals with the conservation and preservation of Eglin’s Reservation and the surrounding area. Water management, forestry and animal habitations are an important part of their concerns.This tour is on Friday, October 25.

Notes: This one time tour will meet on Friday, October 25, 3:00 to 5:00, at Jackson Guard, 107 Hwy 85 North in Niceville.

Class Leader Bio(s): 

Emeleigh Luckenbaugh is the volunteer coordinator for Jackson Guard. She will be leading our class.

Course Description: This tour will show the operations of the 911 center. It is the primary answering point for all of Okaloosa County for sheriff, fire and medical rescues. This tour is on October 28..

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on October 28, 10:00-12:00, at the 911 Center located on the Northwest Florida State College Campus, 100 E College Blvd in Niceville. The building is located next to the Raider Arena.

Class Leader Bio(s): Capt. Leslihan Suhi-Moore is an 18-year veteran with the sheriff's department. Prior to leading the 911 center she worked in criminal investigations and was a patrol officer.

Course Description: This one-day tour of the City of Fort Walton Beach Fire Station #6 is your opportunity to learn how the mission to provide protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fires, medical emergencies and hazards is accomplished through training, highly technical equipment and the dedicated men and women who serve as firefighters. Firefighters are trained paramedics often arriving on the scene before the EMS to instantly begin medical attention to save lives. Following this tour, you will depart with a new appreciation and understanding of our local fire station and firefighters. This tour will meet on Tuesday, October 29.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Tuesday, October 29, 10:00-12:00, at FWB Fire Station #6, 5 Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach.Park in the Fort Walton Beach Police Station parking lot, which is adjacent to the fire station. Use the parking lot walkway, walk to the west, and enter though the door into the fire station receiving area.

Class Leader Bio(s): Fort Walton Beach Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan began his career with the department over 22 years ago. He oversees two fire stations and approximately 40 personnel. During his career he has served in Okaloosa County’s Special Operations Unit, which included rope-based rescue and hazmat response teams. Chief Morgan has been a paramedic for 20 years and has earned numerous state certifications and multiple fire science degrees.

Course Description: Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) is growing! Join us for a terrific opportunity for an update and tour of the programs extended. OTC offers quality post-secondary programs featuring state-of-the-art training facilities and professional, industry-experienced instructors. OTC programs provide nationally recognized industry certifications that will qualify you to enter the workforce or continue your education. CLL tour attendees will take a walking tour of the on-site programs OTC currently offers and plans for future programs. LUNCH will be provided (at a minimal cost) by the OTC Culinary Department immediately following the tour. This one day class is on October 30.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 to 11:30, at Okaloosa Technical School, 1976 Lewis Turner Blvd inFort Walton Beach. LUNCH will be provided (at a minimal cost) by the OTC Culinary Department immediately following the tour. Parking for CLL Tour attendees will be identified and marked off.

Class Leader Bio(s): Jon Williams is the Okaloosa Technical Center Director.