Restoring Alabama's Lower Perdido Islands: A Coastal Comeback for Wildlife and Communities

August 21, 2025 - ORANGE BEACH, AL - After years of erosion, storm damage, and lingering impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Alabama's Lower Perdido Islands-Robinson and Walker-are undergoing a major restoration to protect wildlife habitat and strengthen natural defenses for coastal communities.

🌊 A Fragile Refuge Reimagined

Nestled near Orange Beach, the Lower Perdido Islands have long served as a haven for birds, fish, and boaters drawn to their clear waters and white sand. But years of wave action, boat wakes, and environmental degradation left the islands shrinking and vulnerable.

Now, thanks to a coalition of partners including The Nature Conservancy, the City of Orange Beach, and NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation, the islands are being reborn. Crews have restored 30 acres of subtidal, marsh, dune, and upland habitat using locally sourced sediment-reviving the islands' ecological function and scenic beauty.

🐟 Why These Islands Matter

Though small in size, Robinson and Walker Islands are ecologically rich:

• Birds: Osprey, herons, pelicans, and migratory shorebirds nest and hunt here.

• Marine Life: Offshore seagrass beds nurture speckled sea trout, redfish, Atlantic croaker, shrimp, and blue crabs.

• Storm Protection: The islands act as natural "speed bumps," slowing wave energy and shielding the mainland from storm surge.

🛠️ Building Back with Nature

The restoration effort included:

• 6 acres of subtidal habitat

• 4 acres of marsh

• 13 acres of shrub habitat

• 3 acres of dunes

• 4 acres of upland habitat

Crews also reinforced Robinson Island's breakwater and planted native sea oats and marsh grasses to stabilize sediment and support wildlife.

A particularly delicate task involved protecting the thriving seagrass beds. Engineers from Moffatt & Nichol developed precise construction protocols, and teams carefully removed and transplanted seagrass sods to avoid damage.

🧭 Stewardship and Sustainable Access

To balance restoration with recreation, project partners are installing signage, rope barriers, and conducting outreach to promote respectful use. Walker Island will remain off-limits to visitors, and a new no-wake zone will help reduce erosion.

🤝 A Decade of Partnership Pays Off

The Nature Conservancy, City of Orange Beach, and the Islands of Perdido Foundation spent over a decade planning this project. NOAA funding made it possible at scale, supporting not only habitat restoration but also the local economy-with over 130 workers, including engineers, scientists, and construction crews, contributing to the effort.

🌱 Looking Ahead: Living Shorelines and Community Tools

Next steps include building living shorelines-natural buffers made of marsh grass, sand, and stone-to further protect the coast. A demonstration project at Orange Beach Waterfront Park is already underway.

NOAA and partners are also developing a Living Shoreline Suitability Model and geospatial viewer, along with a cost-share program to help private landowners implement shoreline protection on their own properties.

🐚 Project Partners

• The Nature Conservancy

• City of Orange Beach

• NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation

• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

• Alabama Marine Resources Division

• Alabama Trustee Implementation Group

• Alabama Audubon

• Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program

• U.S. Department of the Interior

• Dauphin Island Sea Lab

• Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

• Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/restoring-alabamas-lower-perdido-islands-protect-wildlife-and-coastal-communities?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery