The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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The only time I can remember being without a dog was during my college years. They have been a part of my life ever since I was a child. I even raised and sold pups for a few years. But even though I have always had a dog, I don’t consider myself a dog lover. The reason is that I have met a few people who truly are. To them, their dog is a close family member and is treated as such. Two of my dear friends are dog lovers. Not only have I witnessed their furry affection, but I have watched them g...
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) was recently awarded $7.1 million in Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) funds for the project: Improving Resilience for Oysters by Linking Brood Reefs and Sink Reefs. The project aims to increase oyster abundance and restore resilience to oyster populations by increasing reef connectivity through larval transport and the construction of oyster reefs over a range of habitats and salinities. The project will create a...
With hunting season approaching, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) encourages new hunters to complete their hunter education requirement early. Demand for courses increases prior to and during hunting season, so participants interested in attending an in-person class should register as soon as possible. Alabama offers two ways to earn hunter education certification: a traditional in-person class or an approved online course. Either option satisfies Alabama's...
An in-depth guide to bowrider boats Among recreational powerboats, few designs match the versatility of the bowrider. While most boats move you from point A to point B, a bowrider does something more — it creates space for the experiences that happen in between. If you’re considering your first boat or exploring new options, understanding the bowrider’s strengths and characteristics will help you make informed decisions. This guide by Formula Boats explores what makes bowrider boats a popul...
How to choose the best fire feature for your backyard A well-designed outdoor space is about more than beautiful furniture and landscaping; it’s about creating an environment that people naturally gravitate toward. Your backyard should feel like an extension of your home, a place where every evening feels like an opportunity to unwind and relax. One of the easiest ways to elevate an outdoor space is by incorporating a fire feature. Whether you want to create a cozy patio retreat or a spacious e...
The Great Red Snapper Count, utilizing new sampling gear and methods, estimated that far more iconic red snapper are in the Gulf of America than traditional assessment methods had indicated. A team of marine scientists used the same methodology to conduct the recent Greater Amberjack Count that produced similar results. Dr. Sean Powers, Director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of South Alabama (USA), headed up the study that involves a dozen research...
With catfish living in almost all of the freshwater streams, creeks, rivers and reservoirs in Alabama, the Alabama Tourism Department decided it was time to honor this ubiquitous species to officially open the Alabama Catfish Trail. At a kickoff event in Birmingham recently, speakers celebrated what the numerous catfish species mean to anglers, catfish farmers and catfish restaurants throughout the state. "Catfish truly do run deep in Alabama, not just in our waterways but through our...
Boat season is here: How to protect your boat, jet ski, and gear this summer Warm weather is here, and the boats, jet skis, and paddleboards are coming out of storage. Whether you're taking the family out on the lake, towing the kids on a tube, or finally launching that jet ski you bought over the winter, summer on the water is one of the best parts of the year. It pays to spend a few minutes making sure you're protected before you go, because the water is also where things go wrong. The most...
In the past, a fish with common in its name has been practically non-existent in Alabama's coastal waters. However, anglers are increasingly encountering the common snook along Alabama's beautiful coast, quite a distance from its traditional range in south Florida. As Alabama anglers started hooking these fish with a large mouth and long lateral line, Dr. Charlie Martin of the University of South Alabama (USA) and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) took interest and wanted to document the fish's...
Why regular maintenance is the key to extending the life of your boat engine Recreational boating has become one of the country’s most reliable leisure markets, and most owners will tell you the appeal is not hard to understand. Being on open water feels like freedom, and whatever pressure follows people through the rest of life tends to stay on shore. But the financial side of ownership is a different matter, and that reality usually comes into focus where the stakes are highest. For the t...
Steve Heap // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Montgomery Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Varina C // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Mobile Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Zack Frank // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Gadsden Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Steve Heap // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Florence Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Zack Frank // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Dothan Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the coun...
Steve Heap // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Decatur Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Simon Dannhauer // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Daphne Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best...
Steve Heap // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Birmingham Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
Zack Frank // Shutterstock Closest national parks to Anniston Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the...
As adults, we all can look back on our lives and find people or moments that will forever be etched into our memories. Some of them will not only forever be remembered, but they are the ones that changed the trajectory of our lives. It may be the death of a loved one, an illness, or a tragedy, but these periods moved us to places we would have never otherwise gone. Thankfully some of these events were good as well. For instance, I can remember my first time fishing at the lake and my first time...
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Alabama's unparalleled artificial reef system added another jewel to its crown this week when the Argosy VI, a former riverboat casino from Indiana, was deployed as the state's newest artificial reef about 23 miles south of Orange Beach. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) is overseeing the project that started with towing the 408-foot vessel from its temporary home in...
Now rural communities are connecting, rather than just preserving, wildlife habitats One of the best things about rural living is sharing the landscape with wildlife. Peering out the window and seeing a moose in the yard. Walking in the woods and catching a fleeting glimpse of a bobcat. Prowling ponds after dark to view the spring salamander migration. Sometimes their presence is taken for granted, but keeping wildlife as visitors, especially for a developing area, can require knowledge and...
The Alabama Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame inducted its third class of renowned turkey hunters recently at the Mobile Convention Center during the World Championship Turkey Calling Contest. Two of the inductees were able to attend the induction ceremony, Bob Walker of Livingston and Corky Pugh of Montgomery. Three of the turkey hunters were recognized posthumously – Ben Ezelle of Aliceville, Doug Camp of Talladega and Ken Tucker of Brewton. Camp, who died in 2004, was considered one of the o...
Hueytown, Alabama - A new chapter in outdoor recreation opened for western Jefferson County as the City of Hueytown officially celebrated the launch of its brand‑new 400‑acre nature preserve on Saturday, June 20. Local residents, city leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts gathered for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony marking the long‑anticipated debut of one of the region's most significant new green spaces. Located at 250 Dee Hendrix Road, the preserve offers visitors a chance to step into nature without...
An aquaculture project funded during former Alabama Senator Richard Shelby's tenure in Washington has finally been revived in Gulf of America's nearshore waters off Alabama. Last year, a platform and fish pen were erected and moved into place about 2 miles off Fort Morgan to study the feasibility of raising finfish to marketable size along with other species like oysters and seaweed. A little more than a year ago, marine biologist Ashley McDonald returned to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to become...
