“Black Belt Bounty,” Alabama Black Belt Adventure Association’s (ALBBAA) striking coffee table book celebrating the Black Belt’s world-class hunting and fishing heritage, was recently presented with the top awards at two separate regional outdoor conferences.
The commemorative, deluxe hardcover book took home first place in the Industry Public Relations category from the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s (SEOPA) annual Excellence in Craft awards. It was also awarded third place in the Outdoor Book category by SEOPA.
Additionally, the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) presented Black Belt Bounty with their featured award for the Best of Industry Public Relations during their annual Awards-In-Craft presentation.
“These recent awards are a testament to the various contributors that helped make this ALBBAA 10th anniversary publication a treasure for any conservationist or avid outdoors enthusiast,” stated ALBBAA director Pam Swanner.
The Black Belt includes the following counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.
Black Belt Bounty beautifully represents all that makes up its namesake Alabama region. Its pages are filled with stunning images and artwork from talented and nationally recognized wildlife photographers and artists whose work is counterbalanced with words from an impressive bevy of skilled, award-winning writers. Also featured are wild game and other recipes that are created by celebrity chefs. The large majority of contributors are from Alabama and many from the Black Belt.
“We are incredibly grateful for the talents of those who truly captured the essence of the Black Belt within these pages. The history, traditions, food, abundant natural resources and, of course, people continue to make this region a destination that we are proud to call home and support. We are honored by these awards and offer sincere appreciation to SEOPA and AGLOW for recognizing this work,” added Swanner.
Black Belt Bounty was made possible by the following sponsors: Alabama Power Company, Thomas and Cindy Harris, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Alabama Farmer’s Cooperative, Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation, Alabama Wildlife Federation, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, University of West Alabama and Sumter County Nature Trust, Alabama Farmers Federation, and John Hall & Company.
“This recognition by regional outdoor media organizations from around the country and the contribution of all that made Black Belt Bounty a resounding success allows us to further our mission of promoting this special region of the Black Belt as a world-class outdoor recreation area,” concluded Thomas Harris, ALBBAA board president.
Learn more about and buy a copy of the book here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
