Community assets such as Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve and waterfront access at Historic Blakeley State Park are poised to receive an influx of state money to expand and improve their offerings.

New projects such as an Honor Park in Spanish Fort and Miracle League ballfields in Summerdale will also see over $1 million each directed to their cities.

A total of 10 projects in Baldwin County were awarded grants in the most recent round of GoMESA allotments, combining for a total of $11,819,434. They span the county, from environmental education in Orange Beach and wetlands acquisition in Loxley, from drainage improvements in Perdido Beach to the camp store in Meaher State Park.

“Today was a tremendous day for Orange Beach City Schools as we invest in the future of our coastal community,” OBCS Superintendent Randy Wilkes said Tuesday about the city school district’s $979,864 grant. “The revitalization of the Sea, Sand and Stars (education project) is a great use of GoMESA funding and will help us protect and educate our precious natural resources while inspiring the next generation.”

GoMESA funnels money earned from offshores oil and gas production in the Gulf to the four Gulf Producing States (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) and their coastal communities. The program has been in place since 2006. Alabama’s coastal communities, Baldwin and Mobile, receive separate GoMESA disbursements directly from the federal government.

This round of funding, which Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday, totals about $30 million for 25 projects. They focus on environmental education and outreach, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, water quality improvements, recreational access improvements and “other important projects.”

“One of the main themes for this year’s projects is environmental and nature education and outreach. Teaching future generations about the importance of protecting Alabama the Beautiful and all her natural habitats, wildlife and fish is critical. Several of these projects will make improvements at museums, education facilities, aquariums and along the waterfront – all to educate Alabamians and our visitors from far and wide,” Ivey said.

The nearly $1 million to OBCS will breathe new life into the Sea, Sand and Stars’ environment center, a beacon of learning for students and visitors alike, according to a statement from the district. The funding will support the creation of nine dynamic exhibits, each telling the unique story of Orange Beach – from its vibrant marine life to its rich history and ongoing sustainability efforts.

Existing features, including the 5,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, interactive touch tank, planetarium and 900-foot boardwalk, will also be renovated.

The revitalized center will align with Orange Beach Elementary School’s curriculum, offering “enriched learning opportunities that deepen students’ understanding of life sciences and foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Beyond the classroom, the center will serve as an invaluable resource for the broader community, providing insights into local conservation initiatives and the importance of preserving our coastal environment.”

Construction will begin immediately, with a tentative completion date to be announced soon. Once completed, the center will reopen its doors to the public.

According to the governor’s office, more than $210 million in GoMESA projects have been awarded during Ivey’s time in office.

“The GoMESA projects announced today will go a long way to continuing to improve the environment and quality of life in Coastal Alabama. I appreciate the work of the staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as they work to leverage GoMESA funded projects with the good work happening with Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill projects and other funding sources,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “The nature-based education, water quality improvements, and public access expansion projects announced today will have a long-term positive impact.”

2024 State of Alabama Funded GoMESA Projects

• City of Creola Park, Conservation and Education Project: $1,000,000
• Exploreum Traveling Exhibit Gallery Refurbishment: $829,012
• Dauphin Island Programmatic Dredge Permit: $300,000
• Loxley Municipal Park Wetlands Acquisition Project: $650,000
• Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve Phase II: $1,328,400
• Summerdale Miracle League Ballfields: $1,538,000
• Dauphin Island Middle Beach Access Improvements: $1,500,000
• Orange Beach Schools Sea, Sand, and Stars Education Project: $979,864
• Meaher State Park Headquarters Camp Store Project: $1,100,000
• Mobile County Cedar Point Boat Ramp Phase II: $2,753,440
• Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network: $182,461
• Town of Perdido Beach Comprehensive Drainage Improvements: $307,670
• National Maritime Museum Improvements (Mobile): $2,250,000
• Saraland Water and Sewer System Upgrades: $1,523,700
• Blakeley Park Waterfront Access Improvement Project: $1,970,500
• Mobile Riverfront Park Enhancements – Phase II: $3,023,667
• Dauphin Island Sewer Collection System Improvements 2024: $2,965,981
• Daphne Sewer Lift Station Permanent Bypass Pumps – Priority 1: $499,500
• Daphne Sewer Lift Station Permanent Bypass Pumps – Priority 2: $445,500
• Mobile County/TNC Coden Bayou Land Acquisition Project: $753,575
• City of Prichard Sweeney Lane Bridge: $650,000
• Honor Park – A City of Spanish Fort Project: $3,000,000
• Alabama Aquarium Improvements (DISL): $200,000
• USA Lower Alabama Beach Education Facility: $250,000
• GoMESA Administration: $398,641
• TOTAL: $30,399,911
  • **Items in italics are in Baldwin County.