November 2015 Alabama State Parks E-newsletter

Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 11/17/2015 01:35 PM CST

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November 2015 Alabama State Parks E-Newsletter

Please take this survey question to let us know how you feel about a possible solution to our recurring funding problem.
The future of Alabama State Parks is uncertain and we are concerned. Over the past five years, the Alabama state legislature has transferred more than $30 million from ADCNR and State Parks to the General Fund to support other state programs. Due to the $3 million transfers this year, and changes in budgeting and funding over the last five legislative cycles, we have been forced to close parks and make many other difficult decisions. Like many others, we believe that the State Parks are an important public service to the people of Alabama. Photo by Rachel Callahan.

The Alabama State Parks have the best supporters and employees on the planet. There has been lots of bad news for us since March. We have been forced to make tough decisions and our employees feel it the most. Then we get uplifting letters left by one of our Joe Wheeler State Park customers and it makes it all a little better. Please join us in giving the state parks employees a round of applause. They deserve it!

The bald eagle is back at Gulf State Park and she brought a mate. We are always so proud of this and is a great example of the role that fall migrations play inside our parks. This is a great time of year to bird watch and there is no better way to do it than by visiting the Alabama Birding Trails.

Join us Saturday, November 21st for the Bigfoot Bio-Bash -Conservation Festival at Cheaha State Park. This family-friendly event starts with a 5K trail race and fun run and features archery, guided hikes and live bird demonstrations by the Alabama Wildlife Center. Come to our Conservation Festival and learn how to become a better conservationist and steward of the land.

One of our most cherished traditions are the Thanksgiving lunches that we host at some of our parks. These feasts have allowed us to develop special friendships with our supporters and our communities. We look forward to serving you this Thanksgiving at these parks:
Cheaha Lake Guntersville
Joe Wheeler Lakepoint

For those hunters that are hunting at one of our state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) we offer a special overnight discount. Our Hunter's Special provides a flat rate on our hotel lodge rooms for hunters and their spouse from November through February.

The upcoming holiday season is filled with special family-friendly events at the Alabama State Parks. One of our favorites events each year is the Parade of Lights at Joe Wheeler State Park. Join us on December the 12th for the 40th anniversary of this event.

Looking for that perfect gift for someone this holiday season? How about an Alabama State Parks gift card? Whether it's kayaking, fishing, biking, boating, beaches, mountains, food, accommodations, business and family functions or the many other adventure and activities an Alabama Stater Park offers, it will be the gift that keeps on giving.

We want to thank everyone for supporting the Parks. Our supporters are our partners and partners pay the way for us. We ask that you join the Alabama State Parks Partners Coalition to help us as we move forward. Include someone new in your next park adventure so they too can enjoy the beauty of our state parks.

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