A grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has helped fund stormwater infrastructure improvements at the City of Orange Beach's Wind and Water Learning Center, reducing localized flooding and limiting pollution flowing into Wolf Bay, city officials said.

The approximately $500,000 project included the installation of a permeable paver parking area, new gutters and a retention pond designed to capture and slow stormwater runoff before it reaches nearby waterways. The ADEM grant covered about 60% of the project's cost, while Orange Beach Public Works crews completed much of the construction.

The Wind and Water Learning Center sits at the bottom of a sloped property, making it vulnerable to runoff during heavy rain events.

"These improvements have already resulted in a noticeable reduction in localized flooding and stormwater runoff," Phillip West, director of Orange Beach Coastal Resources, said in a statement.

West said the project also has reduced the amount of sediment entering the southern portion of Wolf Bay, helping improve water quality and the overall health of the watershed.

The grant supported additional stormwater management initiatives, including the installation of rain barrels to harvest rainwater for irrigation. The learning center partnered with local organizations to host a rainwater harvesting workshop focused on practices that help reduce runoff.

Funding has also been used for invasive species removal and native vegetation planting to improve the health of upland and wetland habitats surrounding the facility.

Education and community outreach were key components of the project. Staff shared information on stormwater management and watershed protection with groups including Wolf Bay Water Watch, the Orange Beach Garden Club and Orange Beach City Schools.

Program Manager Pearson Ellison said the center also expanded opportunities for residents to participate in environmentally responsible hazardous waste disposal programs.

"These outreach efforts have included educational presentations, hands-on watershed management activities and discussions promoting best management practices for protecting local water resources," Ellison said.

City officials said the project was made possible through collaboration among the Wind and Water Learning Center, Orange Beach Public Works, the Orange Beach Garden Club and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.