The coastal habitats along Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway are important to wildlife and the humans who make their home along Alabama’s southern tip.  

The view of tall grasses and summer-blooming rose mallow across the wetlands is breathtaking. During your byway travels, you’ll be awed by thousands of acres of preserved lands and wetlands that make up a good portion of our natural habitats. 

The five interesting facts below help shed light on the impact of these wetlands along our coast.   

  1. Wetlands protect valuable coastal residential and commercial property from flooding during storms.  
  2. Coastal wetlands provide a habitat for many birds and animals, including threatened and endangered species.  
  3. Chemicals and sediment from rivers flowing from northern industrial areas are filtered by wetlands before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.  
  4. Wetlands produce more than 50 percent of the commercial fish and shellfish in the southeastern United States. 
  5. Marshes and wetlands provide recreational opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and photography.  

Come experience the beauty of the wetlands by enjoying a trip along the byway!