Alabama State Parks marks progress in major renovations
With more than $150 million available for renovations, repairs and construction, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks System is in the middle of major upgrades and enhancements to help State Parks’ guests embrace and enjoy Alabama’s natural beauty.
State Parks...
Mulberry Fork access upgraded at Garden City River Park
GARDEN CITY, Ala. - One of Alabama’s most popular paddling destinations recently received a significant upgrade. State and local officials celebrated the opening of the renovated Garden City River Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 24. The renovations were made possible by a settlement...
Legislation introduced to protect Alabama’s underwater forest
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, recently introduced the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary Act. This bill would preserve a submerged ancient forest, largely comprised of cypress trees, that was discovered near Gulf Shores, Alabama, after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Tuberville’s...
91st ADSFR adds dock space, new categories
A new dock and boardwalk, a new live weigh-in category and a new species for catch and release are among the highlights for the 91st annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (ADSFR), set for July 19-21 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island.
The new...
Alabama’s Free Fishing Day takes place June 8
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - On Saturday, June 8, 2024, Alabamians and out-of-state visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater. Free Fishing Day allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has...
ADCNR: Eastern indigo release adds 40 to Conecuh National Forest
A project to restore the Eastern indigo snake to Alabama is one step closer to its goal with the release of 40 indigos in the Conecuh National Forest on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The reintroduction project aims to establish a viable population of this...
Gulf State Park Pier repairs reach milestone
The reconstruction of the Gulf State Park Pier reached a milestone recently when the walkway to the octagon on the end was partially completed.
Lamar Pendergrass, the South Region operations supervisor for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division, said...
Alabama saltwater records continue to fall
As saltwater fishing for 2024 heads into the peak seasons, a look back at 2023 reveals another record-breaking year for those who fish Alabama’s coastal waters and the Gulf of Mexico.
The catch that went viral with news agencies around the world picking up the...
Join State Parks for Hike 24 in 24 Alabama
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to join the naturalists and volunteers from the foothills of the Appalachians, along the Tennessee River Valley to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico for the “Hike 24 in 24 Alabama” initiative from the Alabama...
Winners of 2024 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest announced
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. As usual, the judges had a very difficult time selecting the winning photos from the nearly 2,000 images that...
New eagle statue added to Lake Guntersville State Park
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Officials unveiled and cut a ceremonial ribbon on Friday, Feb. 2, to dedicate Lake Guntersville State Park’s newest feature, a picturesque eagle statue located at the park’s lodge.
The statue, created by artist Jenny Hendrix and inspired by a photo taken by...
ADCRN’s Blankenship testifies before House Committee about impact of GOMESA funds
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - At the request of Alabama Representative Jerry Carl (R) and the House Natural Resources Committee, Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to testify about the crucial funding Alabama receives from oil and gas leases through the Gulf of...
Marine Resources asks anglers for help with fishing effort survey
If you fish in Alabama coastal and/or offshore waters, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) may soon ask for your help as it begins a pilot study in 2024 to gain data on recreational fishing effort for...
Begin 2024 with a First Day Hike at an Alabama State Park
Alabama State Parks is hosting 11 First Day Hikes as part of a national program designed to celebrate the new year and the great outdoors. The hikes will take place at parks throughout the state, from Gulf State Park on Alabama's Gulf Coast to...
Repairs begin to make Gulf State Park Pier whole again
GULF SHORES, Ala. - 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...
ADCNR: Celebration of bats continues at Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - 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....
Orange Beach boat lands potential record blue marlin
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - 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...
‘Connecting with Conservation’ highlights funding for state wildlife agencies
How conservation and outdoors recreation are funded throughout the nation is somewhat of a mystery for most people.
In an effort to inform the public about where state wildlife and fisheries agencies get the money to conserve habitat and provide quality outdoors recreation, the Alabama...
ADCNR: Deepwater Horizon settlement projects surpass $1B
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - With the conflict among deer hunting factions at an all-time low, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship used last weekend’s Conservation Advisory Board meeting in Huntsville to update the Board on the numerous projects in the...
