• Preserve the dunes. Use beach crossovers and boardwalks. Walk along the water.
• Admire the sea oats and other plants. The roots of the beach plants "hold" sand in place and provide food and shelter for the Perdido Key Beach Mouse and other animals. Please leave the plants where you find them. It is illegal to pick seaoats.
• Observe wildlife at a distance. Avoid specially marked turtle nests, stay away from primary dunes and their plants and leave shorebird eggs or nests to be cared for by the birds.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights. Turning off exterior beachfront lights and closing window drapes and blinds will help turtle hatchlings find the horizon in their quest for the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

If you are a resident, help in the volunteer restoration efforts at Gulf Islands National Seashore and other public beach areas.

• Help with beach dune restoration. Help build beach crossovers, plant sea oats, put beach fencing in place to aid dune development plus slow beach erosion.
• Keep pets restrained and spay and neuter your cats: Free- roaming and feral cats in beach habitat wreak havoc on the birds and mammals who live in, nest on or visit beach dune habitat.
• Join the Gulf Island National Seashore Volunteer Program: Help to educate others about habitat preservation. Call 850-934-2654.

Do enjoy the unique habitat that is Perdido Key!!! Remember, it's home to all of us!!

Home

The Nature of Perdido Key Beach Dune Habitat

The Perdido Key Beach Mouse

The Situation

Other Beach and Dune Dwellers

Predation

Economics of Dune Habitat