Alabama students turn old Christmas trees into Gulf Coast dune protection
Alabama's fragile sand dunes are being restored with discarded holiday trees, as students and volunteers team up to plant native vegetation along the coast. This innovative project marries sand trapping techniques with the introduction of native plants to stabilize the dunes. This effort not only protects essential infrastructure but also fosters crucial habitats for local wildlife, showcasing an…
Each year, around 200 high school students and community volunteers gather along the Gulf Shores shoreline to place recycled Christmas trees and plant native vegetation in an effort to strengthen fragile sand dunes. The discarded holiday trees collected from homes across Alabama form the foundation of a student-led coastal restoration project that began as a small environmental initiative in 2021, growing into an annual endeavor on Alabama's public beaches.
The trees, secured in strategic locations along the beach, trap sand and support the growth of native plants, such as sea oats and panicgrass, which help to create new dunes over time. By planting these trees and vegetation, the project aims to protect the coastline from erosion and storm surges while providing valuable habitat for wildlife.
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