ORANGE BEACH – The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP), the City of Orange Beach and The Nature Conservancy in Alabama are inviting locals and visitors alike to help restore the lower Perdido Islands by planting native species that will help reduce erosion and provide shelter and foraging areas for wildlife.

A volunteer planting event will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Walker Island.

“We live, work and play in paradise and this is a prime opportunity to give back and help preserve our coastal environment,” Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said. “This is a fantastic partnership. We’re all about common-sense conservation in Orange Beach so our residents and visitors can enjoy what we enjoy for generations to come. This Lower Perdido Islands Restoration project is everyone’s project, so if you’re a lifelong resident or even a first-time visitor come out and lend a hand.”

No prior experience or training is required; all necessary tools and transportation to and from the islands will be provided. The event is open to volunteers aged 7 and up. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 17-year-old volunteers participating on their own must bring a completed waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Pre-registration is required due to limited supplies and boat space. Interested volunteers should register through PPBEP’s volunteer portal at https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/#/join-party?k=dxiz3jgoxlk4f3.

If you need assistance registering or have questions, contact info@ppbep.org.

The mission of the PPBEP is to restore and protect the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds through restoration, education and unbiased monitoring of the health of our bays, estuaries and watersheds.

The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program serves as a resource for residents, businesses, industry and the community on issues relating to preserving, restoring, improving and maintaining the natural habitat and ecosystem of the bays, estuaries and watersheds of Pensacola and Perdido Bays.