3 Fun Ways to Learn About Nature at the Gulf State Park
For visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast, there is much to learn about local nature - especially at Gulf State Park, where trails, ecosystems and programs provide numerous opportunities to explore and learn about some of Alabama’s most treasured natural assets.
1.) The Gulf State Park Nature Center is a great place to start the learning process of plants and animals native to the Gulf Coast region. This living museum explores natural resources and offers programs that lead to a better understanding of the natural world. Programs that provide a myriad of learning environments include guided nature walks, beach walks, pier walks and nature time. Most of these programs are free and open to the public; there is, however, a $2 fee per vehicle to enter the campground (waived for campground and lodging guests).
2.) Gulf State Park, as well as all of Alabama’s State Parks, now offers the mobile app program iNaturalist to help visitors get involved in learning about the unique landscapes within the state. Each landscape provides a habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife. To use iNaturalist, join via the mobile app, take photos and add them to the app, complete the brief observation details page, select the Alabama State Parks project in the observation details, and share. If you find something you cannot identify, upload a photo and ask the iNaturalist community for help. This app provides a great opportunity to contribute to the exploration of biodiversity in Alabama State Parks.
3.) The Gulf State Park Interpretive Center is a new, sustainable facility opening in phases. Promoting ecotourism in the Gulf Shores region, it serves as the launching point for some 28 miles of trails within the park. Slated for expansion via bike paths, artificial reefs for wildlife habitat, Segway touring and school educational programs, the center is already teaching about the variety of ecosystems that support coastal wildlife. The park’s dunes, lakes, marshes and forestry areas provide homes for deer, raccoons, alligators, birds, butterflies and more, so there will always be much to learn. One of only 16 certified Living Buildings in the world, the Alabama Gulf Coast is fortunate to have a facility of this significance at the Gulf State Park.
Make plans to learn more about nature at Gulf Shores’ own Gulf State Park and immerse yourself in knowledge of local animals, habitats and landscapes.
