Each year after Christmas the residents around Gulf Shores un-hang their ornaments and store them for the next season. Then many donate their trees to community works projects along the beach. A majority though never see how those trees are used and the difference they make along the pristine shores.

This week, the Gulf Shores Public Works crews began beach restoration efforts using the Christmas trees recycled by local residents this year.

The restoration efforts started at the beach access point by the Resident Parking Lot and include the following enhancements:

• Leveling the sand under the blue access mat to improve beach accessibility.

• Clearing drifted sand from the boardwalk to keep pathways clear.

• Restoring dunes with the recycled Christmas trees.

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The city also stated that coming soon there will be sand fencing and native vegetation added in this area to strengthen the dune system further.

Christmas trees, especially evergreens, can be used as a natural barrier to wind-blown sand, which helps to build up sand dunes. When wind carries sand across the beach, the sand catches in the trees, building up over time and creating new areas of dune growth. Using discarded Christmas trees is a natural and biodegradable way to address coastal erosion, as they are a resource that would otherwise end up in a landfill.