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 [...]
When visiting the coast, you can’t help but notice the beautiful sand dunes along the beach. These dunes are important for the ecosystem, environment and cities. The natural growth of sea grasses, sea oats and shrubs helps hold them together by creating a root system that keeps the sand in place. Acting as a wall, sand dunes help protect beaches and property from damage from high winds, storm surges, waves and tides. The dunes are the first line of defense [...]
You don’t have to be an expert birder to enjoy bird watching at the beach. Alabama’s coast is the last stop for many fall migrating birds heading south over the Gulf of Mexico. A few species arrive in the fall and stay for the winter. If you are here during the fall months, be on the lookout for migrating raptors. Cooper’s hawks arrive on the coast in October in large numbers. You can also see sharp-shinned hawks and northern harriers during [...]
Marine debris probably isn’t on your mind in your day-to-day life. If you live anywhere near the coast, maybe it should be. Most of the time, we think of marine debris as being trash left on the beach by tourists or plastic bags pitched in the water by an inconsiderate boater. In reality, the offense can happen miles inland. Most runoff from streets and parking lots drains into ditches that flow into streams. The streams flow to the rivers and bays and [...]
We love our seafood here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Most area restaurant menus are filled with tempting seafood choices straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Celebrate National Seafood Month this month with locally sourced fresh fish, crustaceans and bivalves. If you are looking for ideas, we have a few ways you can enjoy the bounty. Catch your own. Cast a line from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier, surf fish from the beach or charter a boat for a [...]
After a busy summer season, life at the beach slows down a bit. Even though the calendar changes to fall, summer-like weather is still around for a month or so. We think it’s a great time to be here and enjoy all the pleasures of coastal living. There’s plenty to do, delicious food to eat and exciting adventures to be had during every season. But let’s look at just a few of the autumn possibilities to get you started. Go fishing. Whether you enjoy casting your line from the shore or taking a [...]
A quick family getaway to the beach is a good way to conquer back-to-school blues. It’s also a great time to teach the kids the importance of taking care of the environment. The Leave Only Footprints program is based on Leave No Trace principles. For a kid-friendly version, our Leave No Trace Principles for Kids helps children learn to be good stewards of our beaches and coastal lands. Know Before You Go - Have a family discussion about everyone doing their part to keep the [...]
Every third Saturday of September, residents and visitors alike gather at the beaches, bays and waterways for the annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. These hordes of volunteers hit the sand and shores at 8 a.m. and work until noon to get the trash out of the splash. Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup in 1987 and since then, more than 100,000 volunteers have taken part in the local event. In the first 28 years, 15 million pounds of trash was collected [...]
The Alabama Gulf Coast welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year. That’s a lot of wear and tear on our beaches and waterways. Keeping them clean and beautiful for future generations is where the Leave Only Footprints program comes in. We can’t do it alone. We depend on our visitors to pitch in and do their part for the next family arriving. It’s easy to do. When you come to enjoy the 32 miles of white-sand beaches, hiking and biking trails, and back bays [...]
Each year, August 5 is the day to celebrate everyone’s favorite briny bivalve mollusk: the oyster. Here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, we celebrate these delicacies every day. How much do you know about oysters? One oyster can filter 1.3 gallons of water per hour through their gills. They feed on organisms, such as plankton, during the process. Oysters have been eaten by humans for thousands of years. Oysters change their gender during their lives. They all start off as males and most change to female by [...]
