Commissioners approve county partnership to host MODIS wildlife-tracking station

County staff presented a memorandum of agreement to allow the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society to install a MODIS wildlife‑tracking station in Navarre Park. The board approved the item without objection.

John Carter, chairman of the MODIS project, said the installation would close coverage gaps across the Florida Panhandle and enable the county to partner in a larger research network: “By hosting the MODIS station at Navarre Park, Santa Rosa County will become a direct partner in global science.” Matt Hamilton, a director with the society, said the project also offers local educational and mental‑wellness benefits by connecting residents to nature.

Commissioners asked few questions and expressed support; one commissioner described himself as the meeting’s "bird nerd" and praised the project’s contribution to understanding night‑time migration patterns. The county characterized the agreement as no‑cost to the county and authorized the chair to sign related documents.