BY GABRIELLA CHAVEZ
Report for America Corps Member
GCM Staff Reporter

gabriella@gulfcoastmedia.com

Along the Gulf Coast, change doesn’t always happen above ground — or all at once.

Gulf Coast Media’s environmental and development coverage this year followed how progress, policy and preservation intersect across the coast. Stories ranged from long-standing industrial impacts along the Mobile River to newly uncovered underwater forests and fossils that reveal the area’s ancient past, alongside modern debates over wildlife management and the challenges of keeping essential services like emergency veterinary care in step with a growing population. At the same time, major business investments, groundbreakings and public funding announcements showed continued economic momentum across Baldwin County.

Together, these moments reflected a region constantly shaped by both human activity and natural forces.

Here’s a look back at some of the biggest environmental and growth stories from the year.

COAL ASH CONTAMINATION REMAINS CONCERN ALONG MOBILE RIVER

Years after Hurricane Sally reignited concerns about coal ash contamination near Alabama Power’s Plant Barry, families and environmental advocates continued pushing for accountability and transparency.

Grandmothers living near the Mobile River became some of the most persistent voices, sharing generational concerns over health, water quality and long-term environmental damage. Their advocacy through the Coal Ash Action Group, and now the short documentary Sallie’s Ashes, followed new research indicating Plant Barry was releasing historic levels of toxic heavy metals into the Mobile River system.

Studies pointed to elevated concentrations of arsenic, selenium and other contaminants tied to coal ash waste, raising alarms for ecosystems and communities that rely on the river. Throughout the year, Gulf Coast Media reported on regulatory scrutiny, community response and ongoing debate over cleanup responsibilities, as residents questioned whether enough was being done to prevent further contamination.

FEDERAL AQUACULTURE LEGISLATION COULD SHAPE BALDWIN COUNTY’S SEAFOOD FUTURE

A newly proposed federal aquaculture bill drew attention from Baldwin County seafood producers, fishermen and environmental advocates alike.

Supporters said the legislation could streamline permitting and expand domestic seafood production, potentially boosting local economies. Critics, however, raised concerns about environmental oversight, water quality impacts and how large-scale aquaculture operations could affect wild fisheries.

For coastal communities where seafood is both an economic driver and a cultural pillar, the bill highlighted the balance lawmakers must strike between growth, sustainability and protecting traditional fishing industries.

EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE STRUGGLES TO KEEP UP WITH A GROWING COUNTY

As Baldwin County’s population continues to rise, access to emergency veterinary care emerged as an unexpected pressure point.

Residents described driving hours — often out of county or even out of state — to find after-hours or critical care for pets. Veterinarians noted staffing shortages, burnout and the high cost of opening emergency facilities as barriers to expanding services locally.

The issue demonstrated a broader challenge facing fast-growing areas: population growth does not always align with the availability of specialized medical and support services, leaving gaps that directly affect quality of life.

ANCIENT UNDERWATER FORESTS EXPAND SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE GULF COAST

One of the most striking environmental stories of the year came from beneath the water’s surface.

Researchers identified nearly 20 sites of preserved cypress trees — remnants of Ice Age forests — stretching from Florida to Mississippi, including discoveries along the Alabama Gulf Coast. These submerged forests, preserved by sediment and low-oxygen conditions, offered a rare insight into prehistoric landscapes and climate conditions.

As new sites were documented, scientists said the expanding discoveries could help refine understanding of sea level rise, coastal erosion and long-term environmental change; issues that continue to influence development decisions today.

WHEN GROWTH, RAINFALL AND RUNOFF COLLIDE

In Elberta, a subdivision was ordered to pause work after inspectors flagged stormwater controls that weren’t keeping runoff in place. At a BJ’s Wholesale Club construction site, similar concerns drew attention as rainfall carried sediment into waterways. On their own, the cases were routine enforcement actions. Together, they pointed to something larger.

Baldwin County’s growth is unfolding in one of the rainiest places in the country, where even short bursts of heavy rain can test drainage systems. As development adds roads, rooftops and parking lots, officials and engineers have warned that managing stormwater has become as much a part of growth as the construction itself.

The projects became small but telling examples of how rainfall, regulation and rapid development increasingly intersect across the county.

FOSSIL DISCOVERY TURNS A FAMILY FISHING TRIP INTO A SCIENTIFIC FIND

What started as a routine fishing trip for a Mobile family turned into a remarkable scientific discovery when they found a 32-million-year-old fossilized sea turtle preserved in a South Alabama river.

Experts later confirmed the turtle dated back to the Oligocene epoch, providing a rare glimpse into ancient marine life that once inhabited the region. The discovery added to growing evidence that Alabama’s waterways still hold paleontological significance, even as development and land use continue to reshape surrounding areas.

MAJOR INVESTMENTS SIGNAL CONFIDENCE IN BALDWIN COUNTY’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

2025 brought a wave of economic announcements pointing to Baldwin County’s expanding role in manufacturing, logistics and industry.

Among the most significant was Butting’s announcement to establish its first U.S. facility in Baldwin County, a $61 million headquarters and production site expected to bring new jobs and international investment to the area.

Kaishan Compressor USA also marked a $11 million expansion of its Loxley facility, reinforcing the region’s growing manufacturing footprint. Meanwhile, Baldwin County was awarded $22 million in GOMESA funds, providing additional resources for infrastructure, coastal restoration and community projects tied to offshore energy revenues.

In Loxley, Crown West Realty broke ground on the first building at the Loxley Logistics Center, signaling continued demand for industrial and distribution space as the county’s transportation and logistics network expands.

LEGAL BATTLE OVER RED FOXES SPARKS DEBATE ON DAUPHIN ISLAND

A long-running dispute over red foxes on Dauphin Island brought wildlife management, local governance and environmental law into focus this year.

The controversy centered on whether foxes on the island were native wildlife or invasive predators threatening protected beach-nesting birds. Legal action followed as residents, conservation groups and officials clashed over removal efforts.

The case ultimately ended with a judge dismissing the lawsuit, but not before raising broader questions about how wildlife is classified, who decides management strategies and how environmental protections are enforced in rapidly changing coastal environments.

GROWTH ALONG A CHANGING COAST

Taken together, these stories highlight a recurring theme across the Gulf Coast: development rarely exists without environmental consequence.

From industrial legacy pollution to modern policy debates and ancient discoveries reshaping scientific understanding, 2025 showed that the region’s growth is inseparable from its natural history. As communities continue expanding, the decisions made today — about land, water and wildlife — will shape the coast for generations to come.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.