Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Department Activities

Department Activities

Forever Wild

Amendment 543 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 established the Forever Wild Land Trust in 1992. Run by the Department’s State Lands Division, the Trust allows for the purchase of land for public recreational use, the creation of nature preserves, additions to Wildlife Management Areas and state parks, and as a way to preserve Alabama’s natural heritage. As of January 2009 Forever Wild has acquired 67 tracts of land totaling 139,844 acres (565.9 km2).

Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center

Run by the Department’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the AABC is the largest state non-game recovery program in the United States. Located in Marion, Alabama, the center’s mission is to promote the conservation and restoration of rare freshwater species in Alabama and in turn restore cleaner water to state waterways. Recent projects include an extensive effort to restore various aquatic mollusk populations in the state that have been in decline for various environmental reasons. The Mobile River Basin will be the first major focus of the mollusk restoration effort.

Artificial Reef System

With approximately 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) of offshore waters included in the Alabama’s Artificial Reef Program it is currently the largest in the United States. The program is the product of a cooperative agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department’s Marine Resources Division. Started in 1953 the program the program continues to expand helping to reinforce the Gulf’s natural aquatic diversity.

State Parks System

The Alabama State Parks system encompasses approximately 48,000 acres (190 km2) of land and water in Alabama. Park activities and accommodations include hotels, tent and RV camping, boating, hiking, swimming, championship-level golf courses, and other activities. Park environments range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains, which showcase the state’s dynamic natural diversity.

Public Education

A major component of the Department’s mission is education. The Department’s Marine Police Division, in a joint effort with the Alabama State Department of Education, Driver Education Section, teaches boating education in public schools as required by the Alabama Boating Safety Reform Act of 1994. The act extends the same laws that apply to driving a car or other motorized vehicle to boating.

In 2008 the State Lands Division opened the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. The conservation education facility also serves as hub of outdoor recreation in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in South Alabama.

In addition to hunting and boating education programs the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division conducts several educational outreach programs such as Archery in Schools and various fishing education classes.

Department biologists conduct a wide array of scientific studies of Alabama’s plant and animal species including the monitoring of wildlife and aquatic species populations as well as habitat studies that will inform future management practices. Department Biologists also regularly contribute to Outdoor Alabama magazine.

In addition to publishing Outdoor Alabama, the Department’s Information and Education section annually conducts several teacher training workshops designed to help teachers incorporate conservation and natural resources education into public school curricula.