Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17. Have you considered spending that day along Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Random Acts of Kindness Day is intended to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness. We want to inspire you to use this day to be kind to the beach, to do something to help, and be kind to the environment. So go to the beach or take a friend (or several) with you. Stroll along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and look around [...]
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 [...]
Are you a bird watcher? On your next trip to the beach, plan a day to see the sights and birds along the way. You don’t have to be a birding expert to enjoy time exploring the six loops of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Using Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as the home base, you already have the advantage of watching the shore birds as they run back and forth with the waves. The [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
“Will we see dolphins?” This is understandably an extremely common question we hear from visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Dolphins’ beauty, athleticism, intelligence and fun-loving personalities make them a favorite among the many creatures who make their home in our back bays, waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. And the answer to that question is: “Yes, you just might! Do you know how to be Dolphin SMART?” Dolphin SMART is a partnership program developed by NOAA’s Office of National [...]
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 [...]
Do you ever wonder what’s the big deal about sea turtle nesting season on the Alabama coast? The more you learn about these creatures, the more fascinating they become. And you’ll want to do your part to keep our sea turtle hatchlings safe. Each year, thousands of endangered sea turtles make their way to our state’s shores. The species we see most often on Alabama beaches are loggerheads, known for their large heads and blunt, powerful jaws. But other species [...]
How much do you know about the Share the Beach program? While thousands of families converge on our beautiful beaches each year for their summer vacation, so do thousands of sea turtles. Starting in May, female sea turtles make their way hundreds of miles to our shores to lay eggs, which hatch between July and October. Once they hatch, the young sea turtles must make their way to the Gulf of Mexico. That’s when they need our help. Hatchlings are [...]
