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Special to the Advance

Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) held an event at Little River State Forest for students with the opportunity to learn about the state’s abundant natural resources and ongoing efforts to conserve those resources, according to a release.

The event was held with private and public partners for students from Huxford Elementary School and J.U. Blacksher.

During the event, students fished with Major League Fishing pro anglers, experienced Auburn University’s Raptor Center’s birds of prey show and enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs while learning about forestry, wildlife and outdoor careers available in their own communities. Every student who took part caught a fish, many for the first time and all left with their own fishing rod.

“Providing opportunities for kids in rural Alabama is vital to keeping them in the communities and keeping these communities alive,” Albritton said. “Seeing the students from Huxford and J.U. Blacksher enjoying one of our state’s natural resources, one that is available in their own backyard, was something I will never forget, and I hope they don’t either. Fishing, hunting, and all the opportunities our forests, lakes, rivers, and streams provide are what makes rural Alabama a great place to live. As a state, we must support the industries that wisely manage these natural resources and drive our local economies. Helping kids discover rewarding jobs in these industries that are available in rural communities across the state is a step toward strengthening rural Alabama.”

The goal of the event was to highlight the quality of life in rural Alabama, educate students about the state’s efforts to conserve Alabama’s natural resources and teach them one way they can enjoy Alabama’s great outdoors.

“Partnering with state and local organizations to help Senator Albritton with the ‘Hooked on Conservation’ event provided a great opportunity to highlight some of our state’s incredible natural resources. Students walked away with a better understanding of how we manage those resources sustainably and the contributions the industries that depend on those resources make to rural Alabama’s economy and quality of life,” said Chris Isaacson, president and CEO of the

Alabama Forestry Association. “Events like this provide a great opportunity to show students in these rural communities the rewarding jobs available to them in their communities.”

The partners who worked with Senator Albritton to make this event possible included: the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, the Major League Fishing Angler Association/Foundation, the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Auburn University’s Raptor Center, First South Farm Credit, United Bank, Matthews Forest Services, Bradley Forest Products, and the Alabama Forestry Foundation.