Navarre Beach Wins Restoration Award

NAVARRE BEACH - May 27, 2010—A local beach has been named one of America's best restored beaches.

Navarre Beach was recently named one of America's best restored beaches. Almost 3-million cubic yards of sand placed here. The project was designed to restore a protective buffer along four miles of shoreline that was damaged by past storms.

Darryl Slye, who works at Sandy Bottoms Specialty Shop says the award sheds a positive light on the area... “We attract tourists from all over the country. A lot of people from the east coast all the way to the west coast they tell you when they come in that they didn't realize that the beaches were like this and they will continue to come back."

The award is based on storm protection, habitat restoration and recreation. Corpus Christi, Texas also received the honor.

Gulf Islands National Seashore Announces
Program activities for the Fall Season

Superintendent Dan Brown announced the fall schedule for ranger-led interpretive activities at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Fort Pickens Area

The Fort Pickens Area is open daily 7:00 am to 10:00 pm through October 31st and from 7:00 am to sunset beginning November 1st. Fort Pickens Visitor Center is open 9:30 am to 5:00 pm March through October and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm November through February. Fort Pickens ranger-guided tours are daily at 2:00 pm. Tours are 45 to 60 minutes. August 14 through September 5, ranger-guided tours are daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Fort Barrancas Area

Located on board Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fort Barrancas Visitor Center is open 9:30 am to 4:45 pm March through October and 8:30 am to 3:45 pm November through February. Fort Barrancas ranger-guided tours are daily at 2:00 pm. Tours are 45 minutes to one hour. August 14 through September 5, ranger-guided tours are daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Advanced Redoubt ranger-guided tours are on Saturdays at 11:00 am. Tours are 45 minutes to one hour.

Naval Live Oaks Area

Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center is open daily 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. An orientation program is available on request. In addition, these 90-minute programs are presented, The War of 1812 on Saturdays at 2:00 pm and The Battle of New Orleans on Sundays at 2:00 pm. Call 934-2600 for more information.

Superintendent Brown encourages everyone to enjoy the National Seashore. Join us for our free ranger-led programs but there is an entrance fee at the Fort Pickens Area. Programs are subject to change or cancellation. Call Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600 for updated information or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.