Lamar Pendergrass had a dream several years ago when he became the South Region Operations Supervisor for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division. Pendergrass’s goal was to restore and upgrade the Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores with durable materials that would stand up to the salty environment […]

Renew Our Rivers was started by the Alabama Power Company in 2000. The national, award-winning campaign has since grown into community cleanups on rivers, lakes and creeks across four Southeastern states. Since its start, thousands of volunteers have removed more than 16 million pounds of trash and debris from waterways. In 2023 more than 2,900 […]

Alabama hunters deserve a roaring round of applause for their safety awareness. Not only did hunters complete the 2021-2022 hunting seasons without any hunting-related fatalities, a first for Alabama since accidents started being recorded in 1974, they also repeated the phenomenal achievement with no hunting-related fatalities for the 2022-2023 seasons. “Two years in a row, […]

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is making sure Alabamians and visitors from out of state know that absolutely no burning of any kind will be tolerated in Alabama’s State Parks or on public hunting lands and Forever Wild Land Trust tracts. This news comes after Gov. Kay Ivey issued a Drought Emergency […]

Due to an increased amount of wildfires that have already destroyed more than 3,000 acres in a little over two weeks, Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a statewide No Burn Order. The order effectively bans all outdoor burning within the state for the foreseeable future. “Alabama is currently experiencing extremely dry conditions, which greatly increases […]

In good news for the state’s gamesmen, Outdoor Alabama has announced that its 2023 Big Buck Challenge Photo Contest has begun. This year’s challenge, however, is a bit different than in years past because Outdoor Alabama has added a dash of college football to the mix. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation […]

Those that are interested in learning about the skill of trapping in the state of Alabama can now register for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ ‘Trapping Education Workshops’. The department has announced that it will be hosting several of the ‘workshops’ throughout the state this fall and winter. At each event participants will […]

After Hurricane Sally hit Alabama’s Gulf Coast in 2020, the Gulf State Park Pier was in desperate need of repairs and renovation. Beginning on November 12, that need will be realized. “We are excited to announce this project to restore Gulf State Park Pier,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and […]

Bats are ubiquitous during the Halloween season, but these creatures deserve celebration year-round for their contribution to our sustainable food production. By eating insects by the billions, bats save U.S. agriculture as much as $3.7 billion per year in pest control. Bats also play a role in the pollination of some plants. After Bat Week […]

As the temperatures drop and leaves change color, this time of year signals the start of a  sacred tradition for many families who are passionate about the outdoors: Deer season.  Approximately 11 million Americans purchase a hunting license and stock up on the gear,  firearms, ammunition and apparel they need to make the short season […]

The Alabama Power Company’s Alex McCrary has been elected as the next president of the Alabama State Parks Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Alabama State Parks Foundation is the first statewide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Alabama State Parks system through funding deferred maintenance projects, helping clean-up after natural disasters such as hurricanes or […]

The ever-expanding Alabama Mural Trail is now offering interested travelers a new, free digital passport. The passport will allow the participants to gather points after visiting some of the murals found along the trail. Those points can then be exchanged for prizes. Candace Johnson, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development’s director of tourism […]

The state of Alabama is receiving more than $2 million for recreational projects, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday. The money was made available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a U.S. Department of Interior program to aid states in the growth and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. “The additions and improvements resulting from these […]

The Alabama Forestry Commission has announced a cost-share funding program that makes financial incentives available for forest landowners, loggers, and timber companies throughout the state if they share the cost of transporting portable bridges to Alabama logging sites. Using temporary, portable bridges to cross streams keeps equipment and sediment from entering “sensitive areas” which ensures […]

Biologists with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alabama Bat Working Group have discovered a breeding population of endangered northern long-eared bats in coastal Alabama. The bats were discovered during the annual Bat Blitz – an event held […]

The second annual Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival returns to the banks of the Coosa River in downtown Wetumpka next month. The event will be presented by the Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts and is set for November 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. “The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival has quickly become one of […]

When word got around that Orange Beach boat “Best Trait” was headed to Orange Beach Marina with a huge blue marlin on board, a crowd quickly gathered at the marina to watch the weigh-in. As the 55-foot Viking sportfishing vessel owned by Scott Crump of Jasper arrived at the marina, the crowd pushed closer to […]

For deer hunters in Alabama, the opening day of firearms deer season is one the most anticipated times of year. And the wait is almost over as the season in zones D and E opens Nov. 4. Firearms deer season for zones A, B and C opens two weeks later – Nov. 18.  “We are […]

Due to increasingly dry conditions occurring throughout the most of the state, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has reinstated “additional fire precautions” for Alabama’s state parks. “October is one of the driest months in Alabama and the continuing lack of rain has increased the risk for wildfires statewide,” Greg Lein, director of […]

Alabama-born country music star Riley Greene joined Team Polaris rodeo champion Tyson Durfey for the most recent edition of Polaris’ “Cowboy Code.” The two shared their backgrounds focusing on hard work, respect for community, and stewardship of the land in the two-part series. The episodes were filmed at Green’s multi-generational property in his hometown of […]

Alyssa Hall, also known as Aly From Alabama, is sharing life in Alabama with her followers across the world. Aly has taken to social media to showcase her favorite Alabama pastimes. From hunting and trapping to fishing and noodling, Aly creates short-form content on socials and long-form content on YouTube for viewers to enjoy. With […]

Although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual waterfowl survey indicates overall duck numbers are down, Seth Maddox remains optimistic about Alabama’s 2023-2024 waterfowl seasons. Maddox, Assistant Wildlife Section Chief for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the USFWS survey occurred on the breeding grounds […]

The deadline to enter the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest is drawing near. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced entries must be submitted by Oct. 31. The annual contest features 10 categories using traditional photography techniques and handheld cameras. It is sponsored by the Conservation Department and state Tourism Department. Outdoor Alabama Photo […]

Take a hike. Soon, thanks to nearly $2 million in grants, people will be able to enjoy the state’s recreational trails and the great outdoors. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday nearly $2 million have been granted to help build, restore, or improve trails at several locations throughout Alabama. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs […]