The Eco Center Campus
The City of Gulf Shores was awarded a RESTORE grant to build the Gulf Coast Center Eco Center on city property adjacent to Gulf Shores High School and Gulf State Park.
Completed in April of 2025, the campus offers a suite of community programs including youth camps, field studies, public classes, workshops, and recreational programs. The campus features a farm and garden complex, art center, habitat restoration demonstrations, bicycle hub, wetland lab, event space, and challenge course. Programming is based on Ocean Futures Society’s “Ambassadors of the Environment,” a world-renowned experiential learning program dedicated to engaging people of all ages with their natural and cultural environment.
The Design Team was comprised of the Alabama firms Architecture Works (Birmingham), Watershed (Fairhope) and Thompson Engineering (Mobile). Ground breaking occurred in Spring of 2023. The campus employs the latest in green building design and aims to achieve LEED Gold certification.
The City of Gulf Shores approved the management agreement between the City and our non profit in November 2023. This eight year agreement solidifies our partnership and our role in operating the new facility.
Trailhead
Trailhead houses all of our administrative spaces, such as the conference room, offices, break room, and reception. It also contains our largest indoor program space, Palmetto Room.
Palmetto Room
Palmetto Room is our largest indoor program space. It has a 98 inch screen for audiovisual needs, seating for 45-50, and plenty of large windows looking out on the surrounding saw palmettos.
Trailside Pavilion
Trailside Pavilion is our grandest gathering space. It is a large screened in building featuring a massive fireplace, prep kitchen, and ample Adirondacks for lounging.
Swifts' Nest
Swifts’ Nest Classroom is our cozy arts and crafts space. With seating for 20-25, induction oven and stove top, and cubbies for supplies, this space will be home to many public programs!
Potting Shed
Potting Shed is our open air garden classroom with 9 raised beds, a rainwater collection system, and compost tumbler. We are currently growing sunflowers, basil, tomatoes, squash, dill, and more!
Lookout Porch
Lookout Porch is a screened in classroom that looks out over miles of undisturbed wetlands. A short trek in, and you can find two species of pitcher plant growing. This is also where we will begin all of our Lookout Adventure Course programs.
Lookout Adventure Course
Our Lookout Adventure Course takes you 28 feet up into the pine trees using a continuous belay system. It features two levels and 12 obstacles for plenty of choices in challenge level. Our course is for adults and children ages 10 and up that can safely wear a harness.
Rentals
Our spaces are now available for rentals. Please email us for availability, prices, and to reserve a date.