Conservation and Natural Resources: Alabama

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Lands Division, Coastal Section, is responsible for overall management of ACAMP.

This annual event includes birding field trips, a birding/nature festival, workshops and guest speakers.

The State of Alabama will receive a minimum of nearly $1.4 billion dollars resulting from the payment of claims and penalties associated with the oil spill. These dollars are to be paid in 15 annual installments, which began in April 2016.
The Governor, along with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council is tasked with overseeing this funding for the benefit of Alabama’s natural resources and economy. Restoration is well underway in the state, with projects being funded across a wide-array of goals that, collectively, will significantly contribute to the improvement of Alabama’s coastal resources and strengthen our State economy while improving the health and resiliency of our coastal communities.

UNDERSTANDING THE DWH RESTORATION PROCESSES IN ALABAMA

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill resulted in several settlements with responsible parties, leading to subsequent payments of fines and claims related to a number of statutes including the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act.
A number of different entities oversee the distribution and oversight of these funds, and the processes for decision-making varies from state to state.

Legislation appropriated $250 million per year for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 to be distributed among eligible producing States and the coastal political subdivisions. Alabama was one of six states eligible to receive CIAP funding.

“Not everyone can dunk the ball, tackle, or run fast. However, as a young lady from Hubbertville School said, “I can do this!”

A physical education curriculum entitled Archery: “On Target for Life” was started by the Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources in the spring 2002. The program has expanded across the nation. Alabama implemented the program 16 middle schools in 2003. To date, approximately 400 Alabama schools have implemented NASP as part of the physical education curriculum and it is growing every year. Teachers from approximately 800 schools have completed the training workshop.

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division loans fishing rods to schools and other non-profit groups to learn to cast or fish.

Hands-on environmental learning is available through “Creek Kids,” a partnership of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. The Creek Kids Program teaches students in grades four to eight about aquatic environments.

April 10 has been officially declared Gopher Tortoise Day by the Gopher Tortoise Council.

Several resources are available to help you adopt a Gopher Tortoise Day in your community, including a resolution template, sample press release and sample social media post. You also can find information on hosting a Gopher Tortoise Day event, including educational materials that can be downloaded and distributed at events and in neighborhoods, schools or local government offices. Additional resources include gopher tortoise photos, a video and fun facts that answer common questions about gopher tortoises.

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) partners with pond owners, organizations, and schools to provide fishing opportunities for Alabama's youth. The program's goal is to develop a mentoring relationship between the pond owner and the child's family. The pond owner passes along a heritage of natural resources stewardship, while kids and their families learn how to fish and receive the benefits of enjoying the outdoors, improved communication, relaxation, and constructive use of leisure time. The Division benefits by having more avid anglers and advocates for Alabama's natural resources.

Project Wild - Project WILD is a wildlife-focused conservation education program for K-12 educators and their students.

Growing up Wild - Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them.

Project WETTo inquire about Project WET workshops in Alabama, contact Kim Hall, Cahaba Environmental Center at Living River, 270-723-4127, khall@livingriver.org

Each year, K-12 students from across the country can enter their artwork in the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest. The contest requires student artists to depict a state fish. Prizes are awarded at the state and national levels in four categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, with students in grades 4-12 writing a one-page essay about the fish, its natural habitat and the importance of that habitat in addition to the artwork

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was established in 1986 and is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Weeks Bay NERR is comprised of 9,317 acres and contains upland and bottomland hardwood forests, salt and freshwater marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation and unique bog habitats.

MISSION

The mission of the Weeks Bay NERR is to:
Provide leadership to promote informed management of estuarine and coastal habitats through scientific understanding and encourage good stewardship practices through partnerships, public education, and outreach programs.

ACTIVITIES
• Long-term monitoring of Weeks Bay and the surrounding watershed through the Research program
• Science-based tools and training for coastal decision-makers through the Coastal Training program
• Coastal education and outreach programs for diverse audiences through the Education program
• Management of natural resources and restoration of ecosystems through the Stewardship program
• Opportunities to assist with Reserve activities through the Volunteer program

More than two decades after its establishment by constitutional amendment in 1992, the Forever Wild Land Trust has secured more than 268,000 acres of land in Alabama for public use – yet that’s still a smaller percentage of public conservation land (3.66 percent) than nearly any other Southeastern state. Of this permanent land, the trust owns 186,859 acres, less than .55 percent of the total land area in Alabama. A long-term recreational lease has secured the balance of the total acreage.
The FWLT’s acquisitions have also created more than 220 miles of recreational trails within 22 new recreation areas and nature preserves, while providing additions to 10 State Parks and 16 Wildlife Management Areas.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) manages these lands through its various divisions: State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The ADCNR is not a General Fund Agency, and relies on revenues from license sales (hunting and fishing) and park visitor fees to support its public service operations.
Without relying on taxpayer money, these coastal wetlands, forests, wildlife habitats and other natural areas have been protected so that future generations can enjoy them.

Recreational opportunities abound on the Wehle Tract in Bullock County. Visitors to these 1,505 acres of rolling pine hills and hardwood bottoms can camp, fish, hike, horseback ride and observe wildlife. Additionally, canoe usage on Blue Heron Lake is available upon request and hunting opportunities exist on the Barbour Wildlife Management Area portion of the tract.
This purchase involved a discounted sale, whereby the landowner voluntarily sold the tract for 50 percent of the appraised value. In addition to providing public recreation, the Wehle Tract also serves as a nature preserve.

The State of Alabama will receive a minimum of nearly $1.4 billion dollars resulting from the payment of claims and penalties associated with the oil spill. These dollars are to be paid in 15 annual installments, which began in April 2016.
The Governor, along with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council is tasked with overseeing this funding for the benefit of Alabama’s natural resources and economy. Restoration is well underway in the state, with projects being funded across a wide-array of goals that, collectively, will significantly contribute to the improvement of Alabama’s coastal resources and strengthen our State economy while improving the health and resiliency of our coastal communities.

UNDERSTANDING THE DWH RESTORATION PROCESSES IN ALABAMA

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill resulted in several settlements with responsible parties, leading to subsequent payments of fines and claims related to a number of statutes including the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act.
A number of different entities oversee the distribution and oversight of these funds, and the processes for decision-making varies from state to state.

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was established in 1986 and is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Weeks Bay NERR is comprised of 9,317 acres and contains upland and bottomland hardwood forests, salt and freshwater marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation and unique bog habitats.

MISSION

The mission of the Weeks Bay NERR is to:
Provide leadership to promote informed management of estuarine and coastal habitats through scientific understanding and encourage good stewardship practices through partnerships, public education, and outreach programs.

ACTIVITIES
• Long-term monitoring of Weeks Bay and the surrounding watershed through the Research program
• Science-based tools and training for coastal decision-makers through the Coastal Training program
• Coastal education and outreach programs for diverse audiences through the Education program
• Management of natural resources and restoration of ecosystems through the Stewardship program
• Opportunities to assist with Reserve activities through the Volunteer program

With over 430 bird species documented in Alabama, there’s more to see here than you can imagine. Watching a Bald Eagle feeding babies in the nest near Guntersville State Park? Check! Sitting quietly as dozens of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks literally crash-land into the nearest tree on Dauphin Island. Absolutely! These are just two of the stops along this series of 8 trails and 270 stops.
Over 10 years in the making, the system of eight trails highlights the best public locations available to watch birds year-round. Alabama provides critical habitat for hundreds of bird species, from the Endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker to the now flourishing Bald Eagle. Interest in wildlife observation continues to grow, and more and more people want to explore our amazing biodiversity, which makes us second only to Florida in the Eastern U.S. in total number of species of plants and animals. The Birding Trails project provides a major attraction for nature-loving tourists, while offering exciting birding opportunities for Alabama’s school groups, families, and seasoned birders.
The eight Alabama Birding Trails unify existing and potential birding sites into a series of cohesive trails and loops that are collectively marketed as part of a state-wide system. Many of the sites along the various trails are already being used by thousands of birders and other visitors annually.
Alabama’s Birding Trails offer the public a chain of eight geographic regions known as the following: North Alabama, West Alabama, Appalachian Highlands, Piedmont Plateau, Black Belt Nature and Heritage, Piney Woods, Wiregrass, and Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas.

MISSION

To acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.

GOALS

• To manage and operate the parks system in an economically sound and efficient manner on the most self-sustaining basis possible.
• To provide and maintain high quality facilities and services to meet the needs of visitors; to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of individuals through outdoor experiences.
• To promote use of state parks facilities.
• To preserve unique natural features and integrity of state parks for future generations.
• To promote good will and enhance the public image of Alabama, and the Alabama State Parks through dedicated, courteous employees.

75 YEARS OF SERVICE

In 2014, the Alabama State Parks system celebrated 75 years of service. Seventy-five years of vigilance and dedicated effort has produced a parks system with three major resort park facilities that are capable of lodging and hosting large group events within the tranquil outdoor settings at Joe Wheeler, Guntersville and Lakepoint state parks. Similar but smaller opportunities are offered at DeSoto and Cheaha state parks. Camping opportunities abound, with 20 of the 22 parks offering more than 2,500 modern campsites, cabins and related amenities.
The recreational opportunities are equally impressive. Sixteen of the 22 parks offer extensive public access to outstanding waterways that host boating, fishing, water skiing, wildlife viewing and other related opportunities. The parks are rich with trails that accommodate biking, horseback riding, hiking and backpacking, as well as running and walking. Two parks host some of the most spectacular cave features in the southeastern United States. Golf courses are offered at six of the parks. Geocaching and birding trails have become popular new activities.

The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries White-tailed Deer Management Assistance Program goal is to provide a quality white-tailed deer population statewide and offer maximum outdoor recreational opportunity to the public without negatively affecting the resource.

The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries typically does not remove nuisance wildlife from private property unless public safety is at risk. Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators are permitted by the Division to remove nuisance wildlife at the landowner's or tenant's expense. Their methods have proven to be very effective.

The Division does not have regulatory authority over these individuals or businesses other than permitting them to “take” protected wildlife. Therefore, we can’t guarantee the quality of service although every reasonable effort is made to exclude disreputable individuals from the permitting process. We encourage you to visit The Internet Service for Wildlife Damage Management website to view tips on hiring a nuisance wildlife control operator.

Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process that benefits various habitats and ensures ecosystem health. Wildlife habitat and animals such as deer, turkeys, and quail flourish in areas that are maintained with prescribed fire. Some rare animals such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise require fire-adapted habitats to survive. Prescribed burning is also an effective tool to reduce the risk of wildfire, which can be disastrous to both humans and wildlife.

Historically, most food plots were planted with small grains in the late-summer or early-fall. These food plots were planted primarily to attract deer to the gun or bow during hunting season.

Food plots now are an integral part of many intensive deer habitat management programs. Today, more and more deer hunters and deer managers plant food plots for reasons other than hunting. Regardless of the intended purpose, planning and preparing for planting food plots for deer ahead of time provide the most benefit for your investment.

It is always best to leave an animal where it was found and trust that your intervention is not required. Human interference and involvement often causes more harm than good and should be avoided. In most cases, rescue is not required.

In Alabama, Wildlife Rehabilitators are specifically permitted by the Alabama Department of Conservation, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to care for native game and nongame mammals with the goal of eventual release. Wildlife Rehabilitators provide a resource for the public by prescribing an appropriate and humane course of action for wildlife in need.