Recycled Christmas trees will make dunes at GSP

Recycled Christmas trees will make dunes at GSP

Gulf State Park has again established a Christmas tree drop off area at the Beach Pavilion in the southeast parking lot for Baldwin County residents to leave trees to be recycled into dunes following the holidays. Trees, which should be free of decorations, are only accepted from Baldwin County residents and will eventually be placed along the dunes in the front of the GSP Lodge and Beach Pavilion. The trees will accumulate sand carried across the beach by wind and become dunes, which will expand as native dune plants are added to the newly built mounds. As the dunes slowly expand, they will strengthen the entire dune system and act as a natural storm surge barrier. The dune system on the Alabama Gulf Coast was severely impacted from Hurricane Sally in September of 2020, but replenishing the dunes at GSP with Christmas trees has been an annual project for the past 10 years. Fore more info, call 251-948-7275. Pictured: Volunteers haul Christmas trees for use in dune restoration projects at GSP.