June is here! And it’s a great time to talk about a big question you might have: “What is with all the signs telling me to stay off those beautiful sand dunes?” Why is it a good time to talk about sand dunes? While June brings plenty of sunshine and breathtaking days at the beach, it also brings the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 through November 30. One reason it’s important to refrain from damaging [...]
With warm temperatures and longer days, springtime is the right time to head to the beach! Take your umbrellas, beach chairs, snacks, and drinks — but be sure to Leave Only Footprints when you leave for the day. Family days at the beach can be full of sandcastles, games, and dips in the Gulf. You can make the memories of a lifetime along the white-sand beaches. Children and adults alike love to frolic along the pristine shores and watch the [...]
The last Friday in May is National Heat Awareness Day. For those of you who don’t know, it gets hot — very hot — in the South. Particularly in coastal Alabama, where the heat and humidity work together to create a double whammy. If you aren’t used to dealing with this weather, it can be a potentially critical issue. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can cause fatalities. A few ways to prepare for this mix of sun, heat, wind, and water include [...]
It just makes sense to recycle. Or does it? While the planet is in a precarious position of being overused and overwhelmed, more people are waking up to the need to preserve our natural resources. Clearly, we must reduce our use and acceptance of single-use products as a whole, and certainly, we can decrease our dependence on plastic. But did you know that recycling makes dollars and sense? In comparison to making a product out of new vs. recycled materials, [...]
May marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and although we have seen an increasing number of sea turtles being born and returning to nest over recent years, we have also seen the unthinkable. You may remember the female sea turtle who was found in the surf with her neck attached to a beach chair. Or you may have heard the horrifying news of a group of tourists caught on camera looting sea turtle [...]
As we approach the busy seasons along the Gulf Coast, our shores can get even more overloaded with debris and trash. Some of this is due to carelessness of individuals; other debris may be coming back ashore after a storm. Our beaches are a gift and something we should strive to clean. The City of Orange Beach is doing what it can to address marine debris and waterborne trash. This pilot program, launched in 2014, is the Waterways and Shoreline [...]
When taking a trip to the beach this year, it’s important to remember you are visiting the home of many wonderful animals. Enjoy their presence, but be respectful when encountering them. Regardless of which animal you encounter, we encourage you to remain a safe distance of about 50 yards. Remember that you are guests in their home, so keep the viewing at a minimum in order to reduce the stress on the animals. Please do not attempt to feed or [...]
One of the best ways to experience everything our beaches and the Gulf of Mexico have to offer is via marine craft. Because of this, marinas are found all along the Gulf Coast. These marinas are a helpful tool for boaters, but are very vulnerable during catastrophic storms. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is a joint partnership of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The goal of this organization is to encourage collaboration on ways to enhance the health [...]
Spring is a great time for your children to continue learning via exciting experiences. Their young brains are sponges, and one of the most important habits for this new generation to absorb is the importance of recycling. And the beach is the perfect classroom! The best way to start is by having a conversation about recycling. Ask your children what they know about the process and how it can harm the environment, especially at the beach. Stimulate the conversation by [...]
Baldwin County, Alabama is home to one of the most beautiful parks in our state: Gulf State Park. This park’s popularity brings in more than 2 million visitors a year to enjoy amenities such as the campgrounds, trails, nature center, and the beaches (of course!). In 2013, a multi-year facelift, The Gulf State Enhancement Project, began on the park. The goal is to make the park more accessible to visitors as well as expand its impact on the environment and [...]
