Seventy-eight percent of Alabama forests are owned by families holding less than 100 acres. Their careful stewardship has significantly increased Alabama forest acreage and productivity over the past several decades. And, wildlife populations have increased from an estimated 16,500 deer and 11,000 wild turkeys in the 1940s, to about 1.5 million deer and 450,000 turkeys in Alabama today. It is the mission of the Alabama Natural Resources Council (ANRC) to continue this positive trend by promoting sustainable forest management to family forest owners.

Members of the ANRC are state leaders of government agencies and private organizations with an interest in forest resources. The Council collaboratively develops programs and activities that motivate Alabama landowners, leaders, and citizens to be wise stewards of our forests and related sustainable natural resources through the coordinated services and programs available from participating organizations. The Council has successfully served forest landowners throughout the state since 1971 and currently focuses on several key activities.

Outreach Symposium

The Symposium provides landowners and natural resource professionals with an opportunity to receive applied and useful information on forest and wildlife management. Conducted annually in conjunction with the Awards Banquet, the half-day Symposium features qualified speakers on the entire spectrum of natural- resources-related topics from internet-based information to wild hog control.