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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.
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