Keeping Alabama’s coast clean is important for people and the environment. It’s also something everyone can do.
The principles and beach rules of our Leave Only Footprints program ensure our environment is taken care of today and for future generations. With more than 5 million visitors to our beaches each year, it takes everyone’s cooperation to keep the coast clean and beautiful.
What can you do to help? We’re glad you asked.
- Vegetation roots hold the dune system together. Avoid walking near any beach plants.
- Coastal bird nests may be built in the sand and hard to see. Avoid marked nesting areas and be careful where you step.
- Bring an extra trash bag and be sure to pack out all of your trash.
- Recycle everything you can. You will find recycle cans on public beaches.
- If you dig holes in the sand, please be sure to fill them in before you leave. People can trip in them, and sea turtles and other wildlife can become trapped.
- Remove all of your beach gear from the beach each evening before sunset. Anything left on the beach overnight will be removed and disposed of.
Just for fun, read on for some facts about the Coastal Alabama beaches.
- The beautiful, white-sand beaches of Alabama are made of quartz grains that washed down thousands of years ago from the Appalachian Mountains.
- The squeaking sound you hear when you walk on the sand is air escaping from the round grains of quartz when they are rubbed against each other.
- The sand dunes with coastal grasses and sea oats make a lovely backdrop for family photos, but serve an important purpose of keeping our beaches intact. Avoid walking in them, please.
- Sea turtles begin nesting on Alabama beaches in May. By the time nesting season is over in October, thousands of hatchlings will have made their way back to the Gulf of Mexico.
Share your tips below about how you Leave Only Footprints when visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast.