Dolphins are animals that everyone is excited to see in the wild. They can be seen frequently from right here in the Gulf of Mexico off the Alabama coast. Even though you may see wild dolphins in the water, that does not mean you should approach them. Viewing the beautiful animals from a distance is important. If you get too close, move too quickly or make too much noise around dolphins, it can cause a disruption for them. This risks [...]
CONSERVATION: a careful preservation and protection of something. The new year means New Year’s resolutions. Whether you have your resolutions set or not, we have a New Year’s goal we hope you’ll add: being environmentally friendly at the beach and in your daily life! To be environmentally friendly at the beach, you can: Recycle the items that can be recycled. Throw away your trash. Bringing an extra bag for trash can be helpful in making sure the items that need [...]
As we finish off 2021, remember to Leave Only Footprints. Building this lifestyle is beneficial for the coastal environment and will ensure that generations to come will have the opportunity to appreciate the Alabama Gulf Coast. Below are some easy Leave Only Footprints reminders for your next trip to the beach. Avoid walking on beach vegetation and sand dunes. Explore away from bird nesting areas and other wildlife. Do not litter – gather and throw away your trash. Recycle what [...]
Sea oats are an important part of the ecosystem along the coast. These plants look like tall grass along the shore and form a natural storm protection. You will typically find sea oats on sand dunes, as they help the growth of the dunes by trapping the sand that is blown from the wind. Sand dunes are extremely fragile, so the sea oats play an important role in maintaining them; the deep roots help stabilize the dunes and prevent them [...]
Many of you have already gone out and picked your Christmas tree or are planning to do so in the near future. If you’re going to bring home a live tree for your seasonal celebrations, you may find yourself wondering what to do with it when the holidays are over. We are happy to share some tips on how to dispose of your tree, as well as how to upcycle/repurpose it yourself! Before doing anything with your tree after the [...]
When visiting the coast, you can’t help but notice the beautiful sand dunes along the beach. These dunes are important for the ecosystem, environment and cities. The natural growth of sea grasses, sea oats and shrubs helps hold them together by creating a root system that keeps the sand in place. Acting as a wall, sand dunes help protect beaches and property from damage from high winds, storm surges, waves and tides. The dunes are the first line of defense [...]
You don’t have to be an expert birder to enjoy bird watching at the beach. Alabama’s coast is the last stop for many fall migrating birds heading south over the Gulf of Mexico. A few species arrive in the fall and stay for the winter. If you are here during the fall months, be on the lookout for migrating raptors. Cooper’s hawks arrive on the coast in October in large numbers. You can also see sharp-shinned hawks and northern harriers during [...]
Marine debris probably isn’t on your mind in your day-to-day life. If you live anywhere near the coast, maybe it should be. Most of the time, we think of marine debris as being trash left on the beach by tourists or plastic bags pitched in the water by an inconsiderate boater. In reality, the offense can happen miles inland. Most runoff from streets and parking lots drains into ditches that flow into streams. The streams flow to the rivers and bays and [...]
With summer in our rear-view mirror, it’s easy to get a little too relaxed when we had to the beach for fun in the surf. It’s the season for tropical disturbances to meander around in the Gulf. They may be far away and pose no threat to Alabama’s beautiful coast, but they can cause significant rip currents on our coast that sometimes aren’t visible. The best way to make sure the water is safe is to observe the beach warning [...]
We love our seafood here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Most area restaurant menus are filled with tempting seafood choices straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Celebrate National Seafood Month this month with locally sourced fresh fish, crustaceans and bivalves. If you are looking for ideas, we have a few ways you can enjoy the bounty. Catch your own. Cast a line from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier, surf fish from the beach or charter a boat for a [...]
