There are few things as relaxing as flying a kite. And a kite is a common sight on the beautiful Alabama beaches. March and April provide ideal wind conditions for this activity that entertains kids of all ages. (And by that, we mean adults, too!) Kite-flying equipment is pretty simple. You need a kite with a tail, some string, and a handle. That’s pretty much it - you are good to go! First thing you need to do is make [...]
Restoring sugary-white sand dunes that cover the equivalent of 50 football fields is part of a $135 million project announced in July 2016 for Gulf State Park. Several internationally renowned experts collaborated on developing the environmentally sensitive projects at the park. The state will use 2010 oil spill funds from BP - not taxes - for the project. Part of the restoration project requires creating openings in the existing berm so sand dunes can form naturally. Other strategies include the [...]
If you have visited our Alabama Gulf Coast, you have most likely seen a great blue heron, a wading bird that stands as tall as four feet and has a wingspan of nearly six feet. They are loners, so it’s not unusual to see a solitary, thin silhouette of one close to the shoreline at sunrise or sunset. No doubt about it: Herons are built to catch fish. Those stately, majestic, great blue herons stand perfectly still while stalking their [...]
So you are preparing to hit the beach. You know what to put in the beach bag, right? A beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat. Plenty of water and snacks. Maybe a good novel to read while you pass the time. But do you know what does not belong at the beach? There are items you need to leave out of that beach bag due to local, state or federal laws or ordinances that prohibit them. On the Alabama Gulf Coast, [...]
You love to see dolphins when you visit the Alabama coast, right? Everyone does! But those magnificent creatures face dangers from tourists, polluted waters and boat traffic. There’s no doubt that viewing wild dolphins in their natural habitat can be a wonderful, thrilling experience. But there are steps you should take to make sure dolphins stay safe. When you approach wild dolphins too quickly, move too close or make too much noise, you increase the risk of disturbing their natural [...]
Show of hands: Who likes to picnic at the beach? Who doesn’t?! There are few things in life as simplistic and wonderful as a day spent on the beach with your family. And that means having plenty of snacks and food ready so you don’t have to leave once you get set up. Want to know some secrets to packing a great picnic lunch when you head out to a spot on the Alabama beaches? First, take lots of finger [...]
Have you seen the Leave Only Footprints rules posted on signs? Do you know why it’s important to keep our beaches free of litter and left-behind tents or beach chairs? Of course, we want to keep those white-sand beaches pristine and clean for all to enjoy. In fact, we think the Alabama Gulf Coast is just about the most beautiful place on the planet. But litter - including packaging, bottle caps and cigarette butts - is unsightly and takes away [...]
When the business community, local residents and visitors all get on the same page to keep a clean island, good things happen! So, what can the community do? Glad you asked! First is to ensure your business and home are “green.” That means using recycled paper and glass products, recycling your waste and reducing energy consumption. In addition, take public transit when you can, carpool, or even walk or bike when it’s safe to do so. Does every member of [...]
Don’t know how to help keep our beaches clean? Let’s start with: If you take it to the beach, take it back with you. Throw your trash in the cans provided. Don’t leave behind plastic bottles, food wrappers, diapers, or even cigarette butts. There are some things not allowed on Alabama beaches, such as glass containers, metal shovels, litter, tents or structures larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, fireworks and fires. And overnight camping is prohibited. The Alabama Coastal [...]
You know about the Alabama sea turtles, right? The females make their way hundreds of miles each year to the beach where they hatched so that they can lay their own eggs in the same nesting spot. From May through October, these creatures become our neighbors. And they are very vulnerable ones. When the eggs hatch, the hatchlings follow the light to the warm Gulf of Mexico waters to begin their own trek. But beach lighting, such as parking lot [...]
