Alabama is a natural treasure of timber, water, wildlife, and soil. This abundance of natural resources provides a pleasant way of life to
its citizens.

Forests are one of Alabama's most important natural resources, and the timber industry is vital to the economy. Forest lands are producing more wood products than ever before. Approximately 70 percent of the entire state, or about 23 million acres, is covered with forests, making it the
second largest commercial forest in the nation. Alabama forests also provide the raw material for the largest manufacturing sector of the state economy and for alternative fuels (woody biomass) development.

Alabama is blessed with abundant water resources. Thousands of miles of broad rivers and meandering creeks and streams and hundreds of lakes and reservoirs cover the state. Alabama is a wildlife oasis for hunters,
fishers, bird watchers, hikers, and others. Alabama has excellent populations of game fish and a wide variety of wildlife to
appease the sports and wildlife enthusiasts.

A wide variety of soils makes up Alabama's landscape and provides the ideal environment
for raising livestock and growing crops.

The abundance of these resources provides opportunities for all of us to enjoy Alabama's natural environment.

Members of the Alabama Natural Resources Council are state-level leaders of government agencies and private organizations with an interest in forest resources. The council was organized in 1971 to cooperatively address
forest resources challenges by delivering programs to private landowners.