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4 02, 2021

Be considerate of others during your stay at the beach

By |2021-02-11T16:56:13+00:00February 4th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Sparkling water, beautiful white-sand beaches, a plethora of restaurants, and what we like to call Southern hospitality are givens when you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. How do we keep it this way? The Leave Only Footprints program helps keep our environment beautiful, and the people - locals and guests - are responsible for keeping it friendly.    You know not to litter and how to take out what you bring in. You know all about recycling. You know where to walk and where not to walk on our [...]

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27 01, 2021

Five reasons to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in the winter

By |2021-01-11T21:31:53+00:00January 27th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Taking a beach break in the winter is fun! A few days at the coast after the hectic holidays might be the best way to ward off the winter doldrums. Take advantage of off-season rental rates – your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach getaway is waiting.    Need convincing? We have five good reasons to visit during the winter:   A laid-back atmosphere – We’re always relaxed on Alabama’s coast, but in the winter the pace is even more so.   Free parking – The public beaches in Gulf Shores do not require a parking fee December through February.   [...]

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20 01, 2021

What you should know about the Leave Only Footprints program when planning your Alabama beach vacation

By |2021-01-11T21:25:17+00:00January 20th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

January is a good time of year to plan your spring or summer vacation to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. As you choose your favorite hotel or vacation rental, we want you to be aware of our Leave Only Footprints program and what it means.   In 2016, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach adopted the Leave Only Footprints initiative to protect the beautiful white-sand beaches and keep them clean. Beach visitors are asked to remove all personal items from the beach by one hour after sunset each [...]

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13 01, 2021

Spread some green love for Valentine’s Day

By |2021-01-11T21:17:22+00:00January 13th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we’re here to help you plan ahead. This popular holiday traditionally involves gifts of chocolates, flowers and paper greeting cards. Perhaps this year we could show some green love to the environment with thoughtful gifts.   If you usually give your sweetheart flowers, try a potted plant instead. Fresh flowers have a short life span – the colorful petals wilt and fade within a few days. But a potted plant can live for decades with proper care. (Hint: Succulents are really popular right now.) Want to go [...]

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6 01, 2021

Make a resolution to be environmentally friendly at the beach

By |2021-01-11T21:12:47+00:00January 6th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Are you a New Year’s resolution maker? If so, a good one to add to your list for 2021 is being green at the beach. It’s an easy resolution to keep if you follow our tips for your next Gulf Shores and Orange Beach visit:    Take an extra trash bag to the beach and pick up any trash you see when you make your way between your car and the water.   Walk only on boardwalks or designated paths to protect the dune systems.   Pack everything out that you brought in, and Leave [...]

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23 12, 2020

Do your part to protect local wildlife this winter

By |2020-12-15T18:36:35+00:00December 23rd, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

With more than 650 species of wildlife in Alabama, we are the fourth most biologically diverse state in the U.S. The wide range of habitats here - from the Appalachian Mountains of north Alabama to the beaches along the Gulf Coast - is the reason for so much diversity. Protecting Alabama’s coastal wildlife is one of our concerns at Leave Only Footprints.  Keeping the shorelines and beaches clean and uncluttered is aesthetically pleasing, of course. But it also protects our wildlife and waterways. In the spring and summer, sea turtles need a clear path to their [...]

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17 12, 2020

Use extra caution while boating around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

By |2020-12-15T18:28:10+00:00December 17th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

Boating safety is always a concern in Alabama’s coastal waters. This year, extra caution is needed after our stormy fall.  When Hurricane Sally hit our coast September 16, 2020, she displaced more than 1000 vessels, with almost 500 of those in Alabama. Most of those vessels have been recovered, but some are still under water in canals and bays, and also around marinas. Add in debris from homes, boat docks, boat houses and vegetation and you have water hazards that may not be visible on the water’s surface.    Safety is also a concern for the coastal environment. Are you eco-friendly when [...]

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10 12, 2020

Three interesting facts about sand dollars

By |2020-12-15T18:20:41+00:00December 10th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

Can you picture a sand dollar? The almost-flat white disc has a five-pointed flower petal shape on the back. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, numerous broken sand dollar pieces can be found mixed with shells. Look down as you walk near the shore and you’ll occasionally find a whole one, usually about the size of a half dollar.   Have you ever seen a live sand dollar? If you stroll the beach frequently, chances are you have. The live sand dollars found on the shoreline here are usually small (think bottle cap size), and can range in color from brown to gray and [...]

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3 12, 2020

Look for eco-friendly gifts for your friends and family this holiday season

By |2020-12-15T18:13:59+00:00December 3rd, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

Still looking for that perfect holiday gift? An eco-friendly choice is a good way to make an impression and care for the environment. From stocking stuffers to luxury items, it’s easy to find products to fit the bill.   Need some help getting started? Keep on reading:   Recycled polyester touchscreen gloves make great stocking stuffers.   Toys made from recycled plastic milk containers keep materials out of landfills. (If you are an Amazon shopper, just search for green toys.)   Reusable, washable totes are handy for groceries and more.   Stainless steel tumblers for cold or warm [...]

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24 11, 2020

What is the Leave Only Footprints Policy?

By |2020-11-19T20:58:03+00:00November 24th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

We’re always talking about the Leave Only Footprints program. Do you really know what it is and how it benefits our coastline and its inhabitants?    The beautiful gulf beaches of Alabama have been a favorite vacation spot for folks in the southeastern United States for generations. In recent years, our little 32-mile beachfront on the northern Gulf of Mexico has gained more popularity. Now, more than 5 million visitors from across the nation and world travel to our destination each year. Wow! Just imagine what the [...]

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