Educators are expanding their education this summer in a rather unusual class setting – Alabama State Parks. The Teacher-Educator Workshop Adventures series takes 25 educators on a first-come basis to visit State Parks in the five different districts in the state to learn about the wealth of outdoor educational opportunities.   The 2025 workshop series, […]

Good news was abundant at the 92nd annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR), certified as the largest saltwater fishing tournament in the world. With a low-pressure system threatening to make for a bumpy weekend, the skies around Dauphin Island and in the Gulf cleared and made for a great weekend of fishing. Dr. Sean Powers, […]

Expect another huge crowd of anglers and spectators for the 92nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR) during Alabama’s premier fishing event July 17-20 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island. A tarpon tournament held in 1929 started the long journey to today’s largest saltwater fishing tournament in the world. Participation has grown from 250 anglers at […]

One of the goals for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is to use Alabama-sourced materials as much as possible for construction projects, especially for the $228 million in expenditures to upgrade, renovate, and enhance its 21 State Parks around the state. The use of ductile iron pipe manufactured in Alabama in […]

Several staff members from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) and State Parks divisions are newly certified instructors in one of the fastest-rising activities on our abundant waterways — paddle sports. With funding from the Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation, including donations from Academy Sports + […]

Although complaints about dog deer hunting have fallen dramatically in the past several years, dog deer hunting has continued to cause conflicts, particularly around the Talladega National Forest. The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board provided Conservation Enforcement Officers with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division another tool […]

In its first year under the Sweet Grown Alabama banner, the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off recently continued its legacy of highlighting Alabama-grown products, especially Alabama Gulf Seafood, with delicious, innovative seafood preparations.   With four teams competing for the prestigious win at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Chef Ben Rosen and Sous Chef Walker Hughes of […]

Alabama hunters will soon have an opportunity to bid on hunting leases at a live auction being conducted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Lands Division. State Lands has identified 140 potential hunting lease tracts across 32 counties that will be part of the upcoming 5-year lease cycle.   The […]

Severe weather last weekend hindered travel across the state, limiting the number of Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) members who were able to meet at Troy University for the second CAB meeting of the year. Being one member short of a quorum to conduct any official business, the CAB members were apprised of what had […]

So much is happening in the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division that it’s difficult to keep up with all the renovations, upgrades, and expansions at the 21 state parks. The newest expansion is at Meaher State Park on the Mobile Causeway (Battleship Parkway) at the head of Mobile Bay. The Meaher RV […]

A generous donation of 13 lots is enabling the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to protect additional ecologically sensitive property on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust donated the Fort Morgan lots to Alabama State Parks to join previous acquisitions to preserve the sand dunes and maritime forests on […]

Despite not being able to use decoys for the first 10 days of the season, Alabama turkey hunters continue to take far more birds during the first week of the season than any other week. “Opening day is opening day, no matter if it’s March 25 or April 25,” said Chuck Sykes, the Alabama Department […]

Modern technology is aiding wildlife biologists and researchers in numerous ways, including a tool that is in its infancy in Alabama. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System program erects tracking stations throughout the Americas, Canada, Europe, and Australia to detect wildlife (mainly bird) movements, according to Mercedes Maddox, Nongame Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Department of […]

At the first Alabama Conservation Advisory Board meeting of 2025, held last weekend in Montgomery, Board members heard a state of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) report from Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship as well as proposed tweaks to the white-tailed deer daily bag limit and changes to the red snapper season. […]

Most people are aware of the stunning natural beauty, the hiking and biking trails, and upgraded accommodations at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Alabama State Parks, but some Alabamians and visitors may not be aware of one of the recreational opportunities at three of the system’s parks. Golf Courses at Oak […]

To say 2024 was an outstanding year for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) would border on an understatement, and plans for 2025 will continue that trend, according to ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. Through a variety of funding sources, ADCNR has used more than $218 million for Alabama State Parks improvements, has facilitated the investment of […]

When the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) staff scheduled AFWA’s annual Wildlife Diversity Program Managers Meeting at Lake Guntersville State Park, they didn’t realize the potential distraction just outside the meeting room windows.   Sitting on the banks of one of the most productive fisheries in the nation, Lake Guntersville State Park’s lodge […]

Every 10 years, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) is required to update its State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) to be eligible for federal funding that is crucial to many endangered and threatened species in the state. ADCNR staff members are currently in the process of […]

To say 2024 was an outstanding year for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) would border on understatement, and plans for 2025 will continue that trend, according to ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. Through a variety of funding sources, ADCNR has utilized more than $218 million for Alabama State Parks improvements, has facilitated […]

Nature lovers are blessed with abundant recreational and travel opportunities offered by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in north Alabama, like Joe Wheeler State Park, Monte Sano State Park, and several wildlife management areas. But the possibilities don’t end there.   For those who love to explore new territory, I’ve got a perfect place to get in […]

Nature lovers are blessed with abundant recreational and travel opportunities the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers in north Alabama, like Joe Wheeler State Park, Monte Sano State Park and several wildlife management areas. But the possibilities don’t end there. For those who love to explore new territory, I’ve got a perfect place […]

This weekend’s mandatory chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling for Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties has been postponed due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for next weekend, Jan. 18-19. Also, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division has added an incentive to encourage hunters in the […]

After 13 years, the marketing of Alabama’s seafood is about to have a new home. The Alabama Gulf Seafood campaign is transitioning from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to the Sweet Grown Alabama program, a non-profit that promotes Alabama-grown goods with support from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), […]

When some people harvest their first wild animal, it awakens an appreciation of the great outdoors and nature. For others, it is much more emotional and prompts memories of family or loved ones. For Sadie Pettus, the latter is true. On a recent hunting trip to Barbour Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Pettus was able to […]