Foley is getting a major boost for its environmental efforts. The city will receive $1.5 million to expand its nature parks and preserve system. Mayor Ralph Hellmich says the funding is critical to making more outdoor spaces available to the public. The money will help the city continue growing the Graham Creek Nature Preserve, which already covers about 650 acres.

Governor Kay Ivey made the announcement on Tuesday at the Southern States Energy Board Conference at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. The funding comes from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, commonly called GOMESA. In total, 23 projects across coastal Alabama will share more than $45 million from the 2025 grant cycle.

The Graham Creek Nature Preserve holds special significance for the region. It ranks as the largest municipal nature preserve in Alabama. City leaders have been working steadily to add more land and expand public access to the site.

Mayor Hellmich praised the collaborative effort behind the grant. He said the GOMESA award is essential for the city's expansion plans. The mayor specifically thanked Governor Ivey for her role in helping preserve additional lands. He also recognized the work of city staff, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and other partners.

The new funding builds on previous support for the preserve. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently awarded Foley $4 million. That money will go toward purchasing additional land for the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. Together, the grants represent a significant investment in protecting natural areas.

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GOMESA funds come from oil and gas revenues generated off the Gulf Coast. The program provides money to Gulf states and their coastal communities. This funding comes from leases issued on the Outer Continental Shelf since December 2006. Four states share 37.5 percent of qualified revenues from these operations.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages the state's GOMESA funds with approval from the governor's office. Mobile and Baldwin counties also receive separate GOMESA payments directly from the federal government. The program focuses on projects that benefit coastal communities and protect the environment.

Governor Ivey expressed enthusiasm about the impact of this year's grants. She said the projects will provide great benefits to people living in coastal Alabama. The governor noted that her administration has now awarded more than $260 million in GOMESA projects. She credited ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship and his team for their work on the program.

Commissioner Blankenship emphasized the long-term value of the grants. He said the projects will significantly improve the environment and quality of life along the coast. Blankenship highlighted how GOMESA funds work alongside other funding sources, including money from Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlements. The combination creates more opportunities for environmental improvements.

The 2025 GOMESA projects cover several important areas. Funded initiatives include environmental education and outreach programs. Other projects focus on boating access, water quality improvements, and recreational access enhancements. All projects align with the original goals and authorized uses of GOMESA funding.

Blankenship said the projects announced will have lasting positive effects. He described the work as creating generational improvements in Alabama's coastal counties. The commissioner thanked staff members and project partners for their dedication. He noted their efforts to coordinate GOMESA projects with other environmental work happening in the region.

For Foley residents, the grant means continued investment in outdoor recreation and natural resource protection. The expanded nature preserve will offer more opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, and environmental education. City officials view the preserve as an important asset for current and future generations.

The funding announcement represents years of planning and partnership. Local leaders worked closely with state agencies and federal programs to secure the grants. Their efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration in protecting natural resources and expanding public access to outdoor spaces.