It’s all over the news and is causing tourists to doubt their Beach Vacation plans- the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. With the news released today that the tar balls found off the Florida Keys are not related to the rig disaster, East Coast Florida beaches are proving that they are clean and open for business!

There are several misconceptions about the oil spill and its effects that the Melbourne-based Florida Today has taken the time to answer for us. Below is an excerpt from Columnist Matt Reed’s interview with Florida Tech’s head of Marine and Environmental Systems Department Professor George Maul:

Reed: What is the potential for oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster drifting as far up the east coast as Brevard?

Maul: For our purposes, they enter through the Caribbean Sea, come in through the Yucatan Channel, through the Gulf of Mexico, out the Straits of Florida, and up the East Coast.

Just go to our beach anytime, and you’ll see sargassum there. Sargassum comes through the loop system the exact same way oil would. Sargassum starts in the Caribbean Sea, goes through the loop current, and eventually comes ashore in Brevard County because the easterly breezes push it ashore, just as they would with oil.

Reed: Sargassum … that brown seaweed?

 Maul: It’s algae. People see it on the beach and don’t think anything about it. But it’s proof positive of how the system would work — if the loop current entrains the oil. That’s a big “if” at this stage.

Reed: How long would it take to get here on the loop current?

Maul: One to two weeks.

Reed: What would a beachgoer or charter captain see?

Maul: It depends. If it’s older oil — much of it having evaporated — you might have this heavier, more dense, mousse-like oil. The heavier stuff sometimes sinks, and forms globs — tar balls — and these can wash up onto the beaches. If it’s lighter oil, the stuff that makes a sheen, that’s a different case. By the time it gets to us, probably a lot of that would evaporate into the atmosphere.

Most likely we’ll see tar balls.

Courtesy of Florida Today, Matt Reed and George Maul

Have you ever seen a Manatee hit a home run? Brevard’s County, Viera, is the home to the Brevard County Manatees. With approximately 80 home games played at the Space Coast Stadium, Melbourne has it’s own baseball team to spend the summer with!

The Brevard County Manatees are a minor league baseball team of the Florida State League, and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are based in Viera, Florida, and play their home games at Space Coast Stadium; built in 1994, the park holds 8,100 fans. The Manatees will be affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers through 2010, as the two organizations signed a four-year player development contract (PDC) in the fall of 2006. Their mascot is known as Manny the Manatee.

Click here for their schedule.

Nature Camping

Of the many parks and facilities available throughout the county, those that the Department manages include 108 parks, 3 campgrounds, 3 golf courses, 6 nature centers, 42 beach access sites, 13 school athletic sites, and more than 17,000 acres of Environmentally Endangered Lands sanctuaries and conservation areas. The Parks and Recreation Department’s website offers residents and visitors a place to discover the unique features and recreational opportunities available throughout our parks.

Many county parks in Brevard preserve the sensitive ecosystem and include endangered lands and threatened species.  Educational programs at nature centers focus on awareness of the outdoors and preservation of the environment which includes the unique Indian River Lagoon , the St. Johns River, lakes, wetlands, maritime hammocks and scrub.  Specific parks are a haven for birdwatching and provide a sanctuary for many bird communities including the osprey, eagle, egret, pelican, and various wildlife including sea turtles and manatees.

Additionally, for those who love the outdoors, Brevard County’s parks provide venues for community and regional activities including public golf at three beautiful golf courses (tee times are available at The Savannahs, Spessard Holland and The Habitat); camping at three unique campgrounds; horse trails; fishing and boating–with access to the waterways by boat ramps at many parks; beach and lake swimming and various venues for watersports including sailing, windsurfing, surfing, rowing, catamaran, canoe, and kayak.

Courtsey of www.brevardoarks.com

Festival Season – Spring 2010

Spring is right around the corner and for the SpaceCoast that means outdoor festivals, music, nature and food. With the right combination of great weather and fabulous participants and sponsors, the Space Coast will soon transform into a Cultural Mecca.

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

Jan 27, 10 - Feb 01, 2010 - Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus

Florida’s Space Coast is among the best birding locations in North America. This is peak activity time for wintering bird populations, and this event features over 220 activities including an Exhibit Center with over 75 exhibitors, Art Competition with over $1,600 in prizes, Silent Auction, the Raptor Project, a Pelagic Boat Trip, classroom presentations, field trips, water adventures, and more. Click here for more info.

Space Coast Mardi Gras

February 25-28, 2010 -  Historic Cocoa Village

Don’t miss four days of family fun in beautiful historic downtown Cocoa Village and Riverfront Park this spring as title sponsors Bright House Networks present the City of Cocoa’s SPACE COAST MARDI GRAS. The Riverfront Park Amphitheatre will feature free entertainment all week. The Central Brevard Humane Society will present “Paws in the Park” on Sunday at 1pm. The Saturday night street party and parade of floats presented by Central Florida News 13 will feature many exciting floats, four stages of live entertainment, stilt walkers,a junk-a-roo band and exciting dancers. Click here for more info.

Art of Sand Festival

April 2 - May 1, 2010 - Radisson at the Port

30 Days of fun, sand sculpture, entertainment, competition, good food, and more! The Art of Sand Festival and Exhibition promises to be one of the largest arts and cultural events in Brevard County. This month-long event will give visitors an opportunity to experience first-hand the 10 to 12 foot sculptures created by Master Sand Sculptors from around the world, as well as other sand sculptures created by amateurs, youth and corporate teams. Click here for more info.

Melbourne Art Festival

April 24-26  - Historic Melbourne Florida

The Melbourne Art Festival is a nationally recognized event held each year on the fourth full weekend in April in historic downtown Melbourne, Florida. Admission is free. Featuring 100s of art exhibits from world renowned artists, live entertainment, 5k Fun Run and much more. Click here for more info.

Some of you may not be familiar with the latest phenomenon in outdoor cooking- The Big Green Egg- a ceramic cooker that serves as a smoker, grill and oven.  To the devoted “Eggheads, the green ceramic eggs make the George Forman Grill a thing of the past! The Eggheads are now embarking on a journey to the Sunny Space Coast!

For the first time ever, the Sunshine State Eggfest will be held at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the Florida Space Coast from March 12th through 14th. Also, for the first time ever, the Eggfest will be held at the host hotel. Eggs will surround the perimeter of the covered deck of overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

This will be the 8^th annual Eggfest in the State of Florida. This event will take place under the beautiful setting of the Host Hotel, Crowne Plaza Resort. With so many additional attractions in the area, the Sunshine State Eggfest will have so much more to offer.

Early Registration: Now through January 11, 2010-

Cooks $16 per ticket, Tasters $26 per ticket

After January 12, 2010-

                Cooks $21 per ticket

                Tasters $31 per ticket

                Children Under 12 Free

Click HERE to Learn More about the Sunshine State Eggfest!