Sustainability

Gulf Shores City Schools: Leading the Way in Sustainability 

At Gulf Shores City Schools, we are committed to building a culture of sustainability that fosters healthy learning and working environments while connecting students and staff to the wonder of nature and the importance of resource conservation.

Through intentional design and thoughtful action, our GSCS community will be equipped with the tools, support, and real-world experience needed to become environmental stewards and future change-makers.

Our vision is rooted in the conservation and responsible management of resources—addressing environmental impact, supporting social development, and promoting long-term economic prosperity. Sustainability isn’t a side initiative; it’s an integral part of how we teach, learn, and grow.

We remain focused on:

• Creating immersive, sustainability-focused learning environments

• Integrating eco-conscious practices into daily operations

• Understanding how our built environment shapes the natural world

• Maintaining fiscal responsibility through sustainable strategies

Together, we’re preparing students not just for the classroom, but for a thriving, sustainable future.

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Mrs. Talantis’ Sustainability class and Mr. Schaff’s class teamed up and took students to kayak in little lagoon and use a seine net to observe native species. A special thank you to the city for providing a great lifeguard and Dr. Simpson and Kim Miller for helping us along the way with the field observation.
 

 

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Gulf Shores City Schools Awarded Prestigious National Academies (NASEM) Gulf Research Program Grant GULF SHORES, AL -

Gulf Shores City Schools (GSCS) has been awarded a highly competitive grant totaling $733,024 from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Gulf Research Program.

This significant funding will support a three-year initiative titled “Alabama Gulf Coast Resiliency Project: Sustainability, Full STEAMM Ahead.” The project aims to enhance environmental sustainability and coastal resiliency through integrated learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEAMM).

The initiative will position GSCS as a leader in innovative education, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges related to climate resilience and environmental stewardship along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

 

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Thanks to a generous $15,000 grant from Gulf Coast RC&D, Gulf Shores High School has taken bold steps in environmental education through its “Small Town Sustainability” initiative. This project empowered students and faculty from the Gulf Coast Sustainability Academy and the GSHS Sustainability Team to launch a series of hands-on, impactful projects across the Gulf Shores community.

With this funding, students have:

• Raised oysters in Little Lagoon to support water quality and marine ecosystems

• Hosted the annual “Small Town, Big Garden” Farm to Table Harvest

• Learned scuba diving as part of marine conservation education

• Grown fruits and vegetables using hydroponic, traditional, and aquaponic methods in their greenhouse and outdoor learning lab Planted over 3,000 native plants in partnership with Dune Doctors, LLC and Gulf State Park to restore dune ecosystems and protect our coastline

These innovative, student-driven projects reflect a deep commitment to sustainability, place-based learning, and community stewardship. 

A huge thank you to Gulf Coast RC&D and all our community partners for supporting the next generation of environmental leaders.

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Our GSCS Sustainability Team teachers—Vicki Miller, Tish Gunter, Martha Morales, Jennifer Murphy, and Mark Mitchell—along with Academies and CTE Director Jessica Sampley, recently visited @jonesvalleyteachingfarm in Birmingham for an inspiring day of learning, collaboration, and resource-sharing.

Jones Valley’s food-based education model emphasizes community, leadership, sustainability, and hands-on, place-based learning—all through standards-aligned, cross-curricular lessons. Their approach directly supports Gulf Shores City Schools’ core values and our commitment to meaningful, real-world education.

The team is excited to bring back fresh ideas to help expand our sustainability initiatives and deepen student engagement through experiential learning!

Additional Highlights from the Trip:

• The team toured UAB’s Clinical Simulation Center, guided by Lisa Bergman, Director of Procedural Simulation. They explored how simulation is used to train future healthcare providers—and how simulation practices and theory can be integrated across various disciplines.

• They also visited Kelly Ingram Park, where they walked part of the Civil Rights Trail and reflected on the powerful history of the Children’s March/Crusade, connecting the past to the present in meaningful ways.

This enriching professional development experience has sparked new energy and ideas—and we can’t wait to see the impact it will have in our classrooms and across our community.