Coastal environment

6 12, 2019

Help nesting birds on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By |2019-11-12T13:32:24+00:00December 6th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

There are many threats and dangers for nesting birds along the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches, dunes and barrier islands. Beach-nesting birds like the Wilson’s plover, least tern, snowy plover and black skimmer all encounter hurdles, including storms and other natural disasters, as well as loss of habitat due to coastal development, off-road vehicles and people. Although each of those has contributed to their decreasing population, there are measures we can take to help these birds thrive once again. American Bird [...]

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24 09, 2019

Understanding the Six Degrees of Marine Debris Separation

By |2019-09-22T01:58:37+00:00September 24th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

We all know that trash ends up in our oceans and waterways. While some of it may be due to beachgoers, boaters and passersby who accidently or purposefully litter, it can also start miles away from the beach. Marine debris is found in every ocean in the world. A world-wide problem may seem difficult to tackle, but with marine debris, even one individual can create a positive effect. Understanding the six degrees of marine debris separation is the first step [...]

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30 08, 2019

How to be sea turtle-friendly during your fall beach vacation

By |2019-08-20T10:52:37+00:00August 30th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

The summer beach season will be winding down soon, but sea turtle nesting season is only halfway through! Along the Alabama Gulf Coast, sea turtle nesting season runs from May through November. If you’re planning a fall beach vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, keep reading to learn six ways you can help protect these endangered animals during their own visit to Alabama’s beaches. Do not disturb nests. You might come upon a nest that has been roped off [...]

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23 08, 2019

5 beach usage guidelines on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By |2019-08-20T10:32:40+00:00August 23rd, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

Summer is in full swing, and nothing says summertime like a fun-filled day at the beach. When you visit the beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are just a few beach-usage rules to keep in mind: Keep off the dunes, vegetation and bird nesting areas. It may be tempting to walk up on the dunes for a photo op with those gorgeous sea oats, but please, please, please . . . resist. Our sand dunes and beach vegetation [...]

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5 08, 2019

You can protect the beach by practicing these 7 Leave No Trace principles

By |2019-07-23T11:52:42+00:00August 5th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

The Leave No Footprints policy in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is based on the seven Leave No Trace principles. The Leave No Trace program encourages everyone to enjoy and explore the outdoors while leaving minimal impact on the environment. Since we all want to preserve our beautiful beaches for generations to come, let’s take a look at how these principles apply when visiting our beaches along the Alabama Gulf Coast. 1) Plan ahead. The best beach day starts before you [...]

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6 07, 2019

Beyond the Beach: Gulf Shores Recycling Program

By |2019-06-26T00:42:49+00:00July 6th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

One of the best ways you can protect the Gulf of Mexico? Reusing and recycling. In 2016, the City of Gulf Shores http://www.gulfshoresal.gov decided to completely revamp their recycling program to make it easier for both residents and visitors to do their part. Recycle at the beach During your day at a Gulf Shores public beach, you’ll notice blue and gray bins along the sand. The blue bin is for recyclable materials and the gray bin is for landfill items. [...]

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2 07, 2019

Be kind to the beach: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!

By |2019-06-26T00:18:06+00:00July 2nd, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

You’re on the beach. The sun is high in the sky. You just finished the last sip of your cold, canned beverage of choice. What’s your next move? Well, we all know that if you’re one of the cool kids, you’ll recycle that bad boy in one of the recycling bins located along that sugar white sand. Here are just a few reasons why: Recycling conserves finite resources. When you recycle and use materials more than once, you conserve valuable [...]

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28 06, 2019

Plan a trip to the beach for Alabama Coastal Cleanup

By |2019-06-26T00:18:34+00:00June 28th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

Trying to decide when to plan your next trip to the beach? Plan your visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast during the Alabama Coastal Cleanup and join a 32-year tradition of giving back at the beach! Always the 3rd Saturday in September, this year’s gathering of helping hands is September 21, 2019, from 8 a.m. to noon. About the event The Alabama Coastal Cleanup, held on International Coastal Cleanup Day, is an incredible opportunity to come together and care for [...]

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17 05, 2019

Nesting sea turtles need a clean beach

By |2019-05-17T02:23:33+00:00May 17th, 2019|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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10 10, 2018

The role of sand dunes in our coastal ecosystem

By |2018-10-10T13:12:29+00:00October 10th, 2018|Blog|0 Comments

When you visit our Alabama beaches, you may notice signs that prohibit walking on sand dunes or damaging the sea oats. There’s a reason we protect those dunes. Our coast and beaches need them. Why? Glad you asked. Those hills of sand act as a natural barrier to protect inland areas against storms and waves. When these barriers are damaged, high surf and strong waves brought on by storms are free to flow farther inland, potentially bringing greater devastation to [...]

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