Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Memorial Day marks the start of the summer boating season in Orange Beach. This year, boaters heading out around the Perdido Islands need to be aware of new rules. A major restoration project has changed the area. New No Wake Zones, No Motor Zones, and restricted areas are now in effect.

Last fall, a sweeping restoration project was completed around the Lower Perdido Islands. The work rebuilt Robinson and Walker Islands using more than 216,000 cubic yards of sediment. Two major projects were awarded to The Nature Conservancy, with a combined value of more than $21 million.

The effort brought together a broad range of public and private partners. The City of Orange Beach, Moffatt and Nichol, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources participated. The Pensacola and Perdido Bays National Estuary Program, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, MD Thomas Construction, the University of South Alabama, and The Nature Conservancy also contributed.

More than 200,000 native plants were installed across the islands as part of the restoration. The plants are intended to stabilize the land and provide safe nesting areas for migratory birds. These newly planted zones are fragile and need time to take hold.

To protect the new plants and nesting areas, local and state agencies will intensify enforcement this season. The City of Orange Beach and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will patrol No Wake and No Motor Zones around the islands. Boaters who ignore the rules may face consequences.

Free printable maps are available to help boaters understand where they can and cannot go. The maps show seagrass areas, restricted zones, and locations where people and pets are prohibited. No pets are permitted on any of the islands.

The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Argo to offer an interactive map for boaters. The tool helps people safely navigate the waters around the islands. Boaters can access it and find more information at Nature.org/LowerPerdidoIslands. 

The "Don't Rock the Roost" campaign asks everyone who uses the water to do their part. Following posted signs, staying out of sensitive habitats, and obeying No Wake Zones will help protect the restoration investment. Both people and nature stand to benefit from a healthy, thriving island ecosystem along the Alabama coast.

Free printable maps are available to boaters, indicating seagrass areas, No Wake and No Motor Zones, and locations where people and pets are prohibited.

Click here for an interactive map: The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Argo to help boaters safely navigate the area.