The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and with financial support from the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative through the Northwest Florida State College Foundation, successfully hosted Family Bay Day at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Over 450 attendees gathered to celebrate the beauty and ecological significance of the Choctawhatchee Bay.
The event was a resounding success. It offered activities and educational Exploration Stations that provided participants with hands-on learning opportunities about the bay's unique ecosystem. One of the most popular activities was fish printing, where families created fish prints, combining art with a lesson about local marine life.
Alison McDowell, Executive Director of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, expressed her excitement about the event's impact: "We are thrilled to have had such a wonderful turnout for Family Bay Day 2024. It's inspiring to see families coming together to learn about and appreciate the incredible natural resources in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Events like this are crucial in building a stronger, more environmentally conscious community."
Photo Contest Winners Announced
As part of the Family Bay Day celebration, the CBA also held the 2024 Amateur Photo Contest, inviting participants to capture the natural beauty and heritage of Northwest Florida. We are pleased to announce this year's winners, whose photographs truly embodied the spirit of the Choctawhatchee Bay:
- 1st Place ($250 prize): Avery Hale– Pelican at Maritime Park
- 2nd Place ($150 prize): Emily Ellis – Springs Serenity at Cypress Springs
- 3rd Place ($100 prize): Margot V. Penner – Sunset cast net at Basin Bayou
Honorable mentions will also be featured in the 2025 Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative Calendar, which will showcase the breathtaking landscapes and moments captured around the bay.
