In August 2023, the USA Foundation made a landmark gift to the University of South Alabama: the transfer of 63 acres of coastal property on Dauphin Island. More than a gift of land, the property unlocks extraordinary and enduring opportunities for research, discovery, and hands-on learning, advancing the University’s leadership in marine and environmental sciences.
The donation of the Dauphin Island tract represents a powerful expression of the Foundation’s mission to advance the University’s academic and research enterprise.
For students, faculty, and researchers, the property dramatically expands the University’s capacity for field-based research, scientific discovery, and experiential education, resources that cannot be replicated through traditional laboratories or short-term research access.
Its scale, location, and ecological significance make it a rare and irreplaceable asset for the University’s future.
For more than three decades, the USA Foundation served as steward of this unique coastal property. By transferring the land to the University in 2023, the Foundation ensured its long-term preservation while placing it directly into service of the University’s academic mission.
The site is now positioned to function as a premier outdoor research environment, supporting rigorous scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on education for generations of students.
Situated in the ecologically vital waters of Aloe Bay, the property strengthens the University’s ability to study and understand complex coastal and marine ecosystems.
The site provides significant benefits to the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, enabling expanded opportunities for:
• Marine and coastal ecosystem research
• Environmental monitoring and conservation
• Interdisciplinary scientific collaboration
• Field-based student learning and training
Through this resource, students and faculty gain direct access to a dynamic natural environment that deepens both scientific understanding and educational experience.
As a dedicated outdoor laboratory, the Aloe Bay property supports transformative research and experiential learning across multiple disciplines.
It reinforces the University of South Alabama’s leadership in marine and environmental sciences, strengthening its commitment to understanding, protecting, and sustaining coastal ecosystems that are vital to the Gulf Coast and beyond.
This gift ensures that future generations of scientists, researchers, and students will continue exploring and protecting the natural resources that define our region.
The Dauphin Island gift reflects the long-term vision that guides the USA Foundation’s work.
By preserving and transferring this remarkable property to the University, the Foundation has created an enduring platform for discovery, education, and environmental stewardship—one that will serve the University and the Gulf Coast for decades to come.
For more information about the Foundation’s work supporting research and education at the University of South Alabama, please contact:
Maxey Roberts
Managing Director
USA Foundation
