Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The City of Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center has completed a major stormwater improvement project to protect Wolf Bay. The project was made possible by grant funding from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Orange Beach Public Works crews carried out much of the construction. Together, the improvements are already making a difference in water quality and local flooding.

On June 24, 2026, the city announced that the project totaled approximately $500,000. An ADEM grant covered 60 percent of the cost. The remaining balance was covered by city resources and the work of Orange Beach Public Works.

"This has been an exciting project that has allowed the WWLC to enhance the facility's stormwater management infrastructure by establishing a permeable paver parking lot, installing gutters, and creating a retention pond to reduce stormwater runoff," said Phillip West, director of Orange Beach Coastal Resources, which oversees the center.

Because the Wind and Water Learning Center sits at the bottom of a sloping site, stormwater runoff had long been a challenge. The new infrastructure has already led to a noticeable reduction in localized flooding on the property.

"By slowing and capturing runoff, the project has also helped reduce sediment entering the southern portion of Wolf Bay, contributing to improved water quality and watershed health," West added.

The project also included installing rain barrels for rainwater harvesting. The center used the grant to host a rainwater harvesting workshop, teaching community members how to reduce runoff and use collected water for irrigation.

ADEM funding also supported an invasive species removal effort and a native vegetation planting project. These efforts are designed to improve the health of both upland and wetland areas surrounding the facility.

Community outreach has been central to the project. The Wind and Water Learning Center shared updates and stormwater education with the Wolf Bay Water Watch, the Orange Beach Garden Club, and Orange Beach City Schools.

WWLC Program Manager Pearson Ellison said the center also offered environmentally friendly hazardous waste disposal options to Orange Beach residents during the project period.

"These outreach efforts have included educational presentations, hands-on watershed management activities, and discussions promoting best management practices for protecting local water resources," Ellison said.

The project was a team effort. Collaboration among the Wind and Water Learning Center, Orange Beach Public Works, and the Orange Beach Garden Club — along with the ADEM grant — made the work possible and set the stage for continued success in protecting Wolf Bay.