State Parks Division, Department of Conservation taking nominations for Eagle Awards

The Alabama State Parks Division (ASPD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is taking nominations for their Eagle Awards to recognize contributions to parks. 

“Our State Parks System welcomes millions of visitors each year, and we recognize that many of the programs and amenities in our parks would not be possible without the contributions of so many individuals and organizations,” said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship.

“That’s why it’s always such an honor to thank these amazing contributors with the Eagle Awards during Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. It’s an incredible setting to thank and acknowledge the efforts that help make our State Parks so welcoming.”

Nominations will be taken for the following from a press release: 

Community Partner: Honoring government organizations, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, and local businesses who help parks succeed through collaboration and community support, this award celebrates community partners. Community partners share the vision of successful parks fostering increasingly successful communities.

Park Partner: This award honors organizations working to ensure the creation and ongoing maintenance of vital park amenities such as hiking and biking trails. The nominee is a partnering organization that sees a need and collaborates with the leaders of Alabama State Parks to fill it.

Volunteer in Parks: This award honors Volunteers in Parks (VIPs) who serve to make Alabama State Parks destinations of excellence. Whether contributing physical labor at a single park or strategically planning for the parks system, VIP nominees are service-oriented individuals who keep park maintenance and growth at the forefront of all efforts.

Youth: Honoring K5 – 12th grade student award recipients, this award highlights students who have made extraordinary contributions to a single state park or the system of Alabama State Parks through community service organizations or individual service efforts.

Nominations can be submitted at this link. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 22. Winners will be honored on Jan. 20, 2024 during the Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. 

“Our motto is ‘Partners Pay the Way,’ and the Eagle Awards gives us the ability to thank some of our most important partners,” said ASD Director Greg Lein.