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ALABAMA February/March 2016 • nature.org/Alabama Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge straddles the border between coastal Alabama and Mississippi. © Hunter Nichols Protecting a Coastal Jewel Grand Bay is one of the most pristine areas remaining on Alabama’s Gulf The Gulf of Mexico is one of the hardest working bodies of water in the world. The Gulf’s industries make a huge contribution to our country’s economy. In addition, the Gulf boasts beautiful beaches and coastal areas that provide recreation to millions of visitors each year and diverse habitats that support a rich variety of wildlife. The Nature Conservancy has been protecting the natural character of the Gulf for more than 40 years. The Alabama Chapter of the Conservancy was recently awarded a grant to support the acquisition of approximately 647 acres in Grand Bay, one of the most pristine areas remaining on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Conservancy received this $1.7 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. “As a result of this grant, people and nature will continue to thrive as the Gulf rebounds,” says Judy Haner, Director of Marine and Freshwater Conservation. “Critical estuaries, wetlands, and forests will be secured, increasing the long-term sustainability and resilience of the Grand Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge © Hunter Nichols Bay area and its resources for future generations.” This land will be protected to support a diversity of wildlife, including black bear and coastal and wading birds. In addition, the protected areas will safeguard nursery habitat for red fish, shrimp, blue crabs, and manatee, and nesting sites for the Mississippi sandhill crane. The area is adjacent to and between existing protected land—Alabama Forever Wild and Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge—that house a diversity of habitats, including shell mounds and pine flatwood savannas. In 2013, a U.S. District Court approved two plea agreements resolving certain criminal charges against BP and Transocean related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The funds announced in November 2015 are the third installment from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. A total of $356 million will be paid into the Gulf Fund over a five-year period for conservation projects in the State of Alabama. NATURE ALABAMA Keep Alabama Forever Wild Every day, decisions are made at the national, state and local levels that affect the health of our lands, the water we drink and the air we breathe. The Forever Wild Land Trust is among those preeminent decisions. In 2012, more than 75% of the people of Alabama voted to reauthorize Forever Wild through a constitutional amendment. Alabama Trustees Sandy Kirkindall and Roger Carlisle represent Alabama on Capitol Hill © Kellyn Garrison ADVOCACY DAY 2016 Research shows that constituents are, by far, the single most influential group for members of Congress, and in-person visits from constituents are ranked as the top method of affecting their policy decisions. The Nature Conservancy’s annual Advocacy Day is an opportunity to educate Congressional delegation about the value of nature, while building support for our critical policy agenda in Alabama. Every year, the Conservancy hosts staff and Trustees in Washington, D.C., to meet their Members of Congress and educate decision makers about the most pressing conservation issues. This is part of a larger week of meetings called the Volunteer Leadership Summit, which provides exciting opportunities to citizens to learn more about the policies, politics and success stories that promote our mission in the states and across the world. In October 2015, Alabama’s small yet mighty delegation navigated the halls of Capitol Hill and met with five U.S. Representatives and both Alabama Senators to discuss priorities such as reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), conservation easement tax incentives, the importance of restoring fire-altered ecosystems and the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico. Kellyn Garrison, Director of External Affairs; Dr. Richard Holland of Livingston; Dr. Roger Carlisle of Birmingham; Sandy Kirkindall of Madison; and former Alabama State Director Chris Oberholster represented the Alabama Chapter. “These meetings are a fantastic opportunity to connect Congressional action with our local achievements,” says Garrison. The meetings help to leverage federal dollars across all the Chapter’s local programs. “That way, we can enhance public investments with private ones to get the most ‘bang for our buck,’” Garrison explains. Having informed, supportive decision-makers at the highest levels also sets an example for the entire state. Since the Alabama Chapter’s founding 26 years ago, there has been significant progress in both public and private conservation. Much of our success comes from being non-partisan, collaborative and pragmatic, key traits that our Congressional delegation both respects and appreciates. However, there is still more work to do and we need your help. Speak up for nature—contact members of Congress today by visiting outsidevoice.org. The Nature Conservancy 2100 First Avenue North, Suite 500 Birmingham, AL 35203 Alabama nature.org/alabama Walls of Jericho © TNC As the most successful conservation programs in Alabama history, Forever Wild provides hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor recreational opportunities for all Alabamians. From the Walls of Jericho to the shores of the Alabama Gulf Coast and dozens of places in between, Forever Wild protects our state’s natural heritage. To keep your overwhelming vote in intact, The Nature Conservancy in Alabama works continuously with diverse partners to encourage state legislators to keep Alabama Forever Wild. facebook.com/thenatureconservancyinalabama