For the past 35 years, the Alabama Gulf Coast has been a part of an amazing project that helps clean up the coastline we all enjoy. Come be part of this movement on September 17, 2022, from 8 a.m. until noon, as we celebrate the 35th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. What is the Alabama Coastal Cleanup? This is Alabama’s largest volunteer event. Neighborhoods, parks, streets, beaches and even storm drains are part of the cleanup. Picking up litter leaves the [...]
It’s still sea turtle nesting season along the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. Those amazing sea turtle patrol volunteers have had a busy summer. Daily patrols ended August 31, but the season continues through October 31. Since sea turtle eggs have an incubation period of 55 to 70 days, it’s likely there are a few stragglers that haven’t hatched yet. Please continue to practice the following guidelines until nesting season is over. No white lights or flash photography on the beach. It [...]
It’s the height of sea turtle nesting season here on the northern Gulf Coast. As vacationers flock to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach each summer, thousands of endangered sea turtles are hatching on those same beaches. Did you know that what you do on the beach each day can make a difference to the nesting turtles and the babies? Below are a few guidelines to help these amazing creatures survive. If you dig a hole, fill it in before you leave. Digging large [...]
It’s here! The most anticipated season of the year is the time between May 1 and August 31. We’re not just talking about summer, though. It’s also sea turtle nesting season! During this time, endangered sea turtles come on shore to lay their eggs all along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s something we always get excited about and our summer visitors do, too. When the female turtle comes on shore to lay eggs, it’s important for her [...]
Sea turtle nesting season on Alabama’s Gulf Coast is between May and October. During this time, mama turtles come on shore to lay their eggs. After approximately 55 days, the baby sea turtles hatch and head to the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of these endangered creatures hatch on the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach each year. Sea turtle nesting season is also the busy tourist season on Pleasure Island. Volunteers comb the beaches each morning and keep a watchful eye out for turtle tracks in the sand. If they spot tracks and a nest, it will [...]
May brings one of our favorite seasons of the year: sea turtle nesting season! Each year, the endangered loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley and green sea turtles arrive on our beautiful white-sand beaches to dig nests and lay eggs. The amazing part is what happens after the eggs are laid and the mama turtle returns to the Gulf of Mexico. That’s when hundreds of volunteers step in to help ensure the baby turtles find their way to the water. Alabama’s Share The Beach program enlists volunteers to patrol the beach and record each nest. The nests are marked and [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
