CBA believes that the future of our waterways lies in the hands of our children.
With our education programs, we aim to capture their hearts and minds to foster a stewardship ethic amongst our youth.

We need YOU to help us continue this endeavor.
You can join at any amount and pay annually or monthly - Even a membership at the $25 "Oyster" level will fund a lesson for one of our 93 Grasses in Classes classrooms.
If you are able, please make CBA part of your giving plan in the new year.
A Thanks to Our Supporters
Over $15,000 raised for CBA this Giving Season!
We received a portion of the employee-driven Giving While Living Grant in honor of Woodard & Curran Foundation's 10th anniversary. CBA was amongst 30 nominated environmental nonprofit organizations that protect our water and environment. Funds for these grants come entirely through the generosity of Woodard & Curran, Inc. and its employees. This $10,000 surprise will fuel our mission for swimmable, fishable waterways moving into the new year ahead.
CBA received over $5,100 in donations this giving season from members and local sponsors for our education programs. These hands-on science programs teach kids to care for our waterways while giving them a direct role in on-the-ground habitat restoration. We reach 93 classrooms each month with your membership contributions, grants, and sponsor support.

To all our members and supporters, thank you for supporting our mission to inspire new generations of waterway stewards.
CBA on the Bay
Outdoor Adventurers Need Apply
CBA is hosting four building events, January 13th, 15th, 20th, and 29th, at Cessna Park in Santa Rosa Beach.

Volunteers should meet at the CBA barn on NWFSC South Walton Campus. Wear old clothes and closed-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Also, remember to bring a refillable water bottle. 

Each day will split into two events, 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm. The afternoon events may turn into bagging events if we need more shell bags to complete the reefs.

RSVP Here to Rachel Gwin and reserve your spot today.
Is your New Year's resolution to be more active outdoors? If so, 2021 brings new opportunities for the local citizen scientists of Choctawhatchee Bay. 

New monitoring positions are coming soon! Stay tuned and keep those eyes peeled for your perfect outdoor activity.

To learn more about available volunteer opportunities with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, contact Monitoring Coordinator Jenna Kilpatrick.
Citizen Scientists Results
You can observe the migration patterns of over 800 species on the eBird interactive webpage. Your collected data is contributing to conservation efforts and the scientific community. Click the links above to check out the migration maps!
Here is a look at the CBA watershed iNaturalist Project.
  • 1134 observers
  • 10,000+ observations
  • 2,100 different species of plants and animals identified in and surrounding our Bay.

Download the iNaturalist app for your smart device; it's an excellent activity for the solo adventurer or family outing. Contributing to the scientific community is a fulfilling activity for stewards of all ages!
Keep up the great work!
News You Can Use
Species Spotlight: Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
There are only four species of these living fossils worldwide, with one finding Choctawhatchee Bay a comfortable place to call home. The Atlantic Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus, is an ancient creature, evolving little over the 450 million years it's walked the ocean floor. Their name is a little misleading; while they have a horseshoe-shaped carapace, these creatures aren't crabs! They are more closely related to arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions. 

With ten eyes, horseshoe crabs are sensitive to light variations in the water. Some of these eye-like photoreceptors are on the tail-like structure called the telson. Some people believe their telson is a stinger; this is incorrect. Horseshoe crabs are harmless, with no venom, poison, stingers, or large pincers. It's important not to pick one up by the telson as this can seriously injure the animal. 

Horseshoe crabs mate and lay eggs in the intertidal zones of sandy beaches. Each clutch of eggs consists of roughly 20,000 eggs. While adult horseshoe crabs have few predators, their eggs are a food source for many shorebirds and marine life.

Horseshoe crab blood is vital for biomedical testing. The FDA requires that all injectable medicines, devices used for injection, and internal prosthetics undergo testing with an extract only found in horseshoe crab blood (Limulus Amebocyte Lysate). Harvesting this extract must be done sustainably because horseshoe crabs take up to 10 years to reach reproductive maturity. If overharvested, populations will not recover. CBA staff members were lucky enough to see several horseshoe crabs while conducting seagrass monitoring last month. Additionally, this photo was provided by a local citizen while walking the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay.

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