It’s never too early to teach your kids about the importance of not littering and keeping our beaches clean. Young Oliver is a great example to show age should not stop anyone from helping the community and planet. Clean Horizons is a mission created by Oliver to help influence other families to reduce plastic waste and get involved in ways to help the environment. Follow along with Oliver to see all the adventures his family and Clean Horizons is up [...]
Small behavioral changes can have a significant impact, particularly when it comes to the environment. If you have already switched over to paperless billing, take a bow. You are making a bigger difference than you can imagine. A 2008 study commissioned by the PayItGreen Alliance found that by choosing electronic bills, statements and payments, the average American household could save 6.6 pounds of paper, 0.08 trees, 24 square feet of forest, 63 gallons of water, and 4.5 gallons of fuel per [...]
The Alabama Gulf Coast is a wonder. The endless blue skies, emerald water that gently laps on the sugar-white sands, the smell of fresh salt air and the shells you find scattered along your path. All wonders. All part of our natural environment. It’s easy to want to take home a treasure from the beach. A symbol of the memory of the day spent on the Alabama shores. But we want future generations to continue to enjoy the shores, soak [...]
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 [...]
Picnics are so much fun, especially when they are on the beach! And it’s actually easy to decrease or eliminate the use of disposable products that may get left behind. Learn how to pack a zero-waste, delicious picnic with a few easy steps. First, finger foods are a great way to go. They are perfect for a picnic because they do not require any utensils or wrappers that may be blown away or thrown away. Pick your favorites from this [...]
Noise pollution. Did you know it may be harmful to your health? Or why it is beneficial to take a break from it, such as with a beach break? Let’s break it down. Noise pollution is the presence of excessive and disturbing noise from machines, transportation systems, aircrafts, trains, vehicles, machinery, construction and more. It’s harmful to your physical and mental health - more than just annoying, it can lead to hypertension, as well as increase stress and anxiety levels. [...]
Sustainable fishing guarantees there will be populations of ocean and freshwater wildlife for the future. It means respecting habitats and ensuring those who depend on fishing can maintain their livelihood. Our oceans and waterways are home to numerous species of fish that are consumed for food. For thousands of years, people have fished to feed their families and communities, but in order to continue relying on seafood, sustainable fishing practices need to be set into place. The fish population is decreasing [...]
Water pollution has numerous sources. The Mobile Bay National Estuary Clean Water Future program encourages people to spread the word, not the pollution. The Create a Clean Water Future campaign is working with many individuals, businesses, community groups and schools to stop water pollution. This movement involves community support to raise awareness about storm runoff and the pollution it carries. Clean Water Future partners with more than 42 organizations, including cities and businesses, to provide education on water pollution while [...]
Everything in this world is connected, but sometimes the choices we make don’t support that fact. We don’t think about growing landfills. We don’t consider our effect on the natural environment around us. By reducing waste, we lessen the negative impact to agriculture and fresh water. With less landfill waste that produces natural gasses due to the decay of materials, we protect endangered species. For those and many more reasons, we need to drastically reduce waste. Recycling is smart, too, [...]
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 [...]
