conservation groupsThere’s no doubt the Alabama coast has amazing natural resources, unending recreation opportunities and an abundance of beautiful wildlife.

But that doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Dozens of environmental and advocacy groups work to ensure those natural resources are protected for all to enjoy.

If you enjoy biking or walking the Eastern Shore Trail from Spanish Fort to Weeks Bay, you have the Baldwin County Trailblazers to thank. The Trailblazers, which started in 1995, are creators and stewards of the 23-mile Eastern Shore Trail, a National Recreation Trail. They raised money and advocated with local officials for construction of the project.

The group encourages active mobility through other activities such as coordinating the Walking School Bus, sponsoring Bike to School days, and staffing Bike Valet Parking at special events.  

Want to make a splash in our local waterways, but not sure if it’s safe? Look to Mobile Baykeeper, which monitors water at dozens of locations along the Alabama Coastal Connection. Results are posted on Facebook and on the Swim Guide app. Mobile Baykeeper also serves as an environmental watchdog and advocate, working to build partnerships and awareness of multiple environmental concerns.

Bon Secour National Wildlife RefugeOther organizations give support, too, such as the Friends of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which has volunteers leading tours, helping with biological surveys and doing maintenance work on the trails. The Weeks Bay Foundation supports the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve through donations of land and exhibits, educational programs, water quality monitoring and volunteer programs. Wolf Bay Watershed Watch in east Baldwin County is a group of volunteers that monitors sites along Wolf Bay and its tributaries, funds local scholarships and educates the public on conservation issues.

Support these and other conservation groups to help ensure our natural resources are protected for generations to come.