Alabama is one of the most biologically diverse states in the U.S. Protecting the diverse habitats is essential when it comes to visiting the Gulf Coast. The Leave Only Footprints initiative is not only about keeping the beaches clean, but also safeguarding the ecosystems and protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Allow us to share a few tips to keep in mind when visiting the beaches this year:
- Observe wildlife from a distance. A damaged habitat could become unusable and the animals will wander into unsafe situations.
- It’s really important to not feed the wildlife. Human food is not healthy for animals and each species has a different diet. Tossing a fry to a seagull might seem harmless, but it could cause them to only go after human food and not their natural foods. They then won’t get the nutrients specific to them, which could cause sickness and possibly death.
- Dispose of trash and store food securely so wildlife cannot access it.
- Keep the coast pristine by cleaning up trash that you might see on the sand or along the shorelines.
Thank you for doing your part in following the Leave Only Footprints guidelines. It’s up to us to to respect and protect the wildlife and their homes, ensuring they have the proper habitat to thrive.