Outdoors

Browse exclusive SoulGrown stories Alabama's great outdoors and natural beauty

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State leaders, conservation partners, and landowners gathered Nov. 6 at The Ridge in Greene County to launch a major effort to restore one of Alabama’s most endangered landscapes — the Black Belt Prairie. The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC) announced the start of the Alabama Blackbelt Prairie Initiative, a five-year restoration project supported by a $17.5 […]

Black Belt prairie

Alabama Restores Prairie Land in the Black Belt

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December 2, 2025

Claude Jenkins is a Senior Resource Stewardship Biologist with the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF), the state’s oldest and largest nonprofit conservation group focused on wildlife stewardship, habitat management, and outdoor education. Here, he shares his insights on the misconceptions surrounding quail decline and the well-documented habitat changes that have driven the species’ decades-long downturn. What […]

Grasslands

What happened to the quail? A wildlife biologist shares the answer

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November 24, 2025

On three cultivated acres in Wilsonville, Alabama, something bright and beautiful is growing. Lovelight Farm, a Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) vegetable farm, is many things in one: a community hub, an educational space, and the realization of farmer Jennifer Dunbar’s deeply personal journey toward clean food, healing, and connection. “We’re a woman-owned farm with a […]

Table in field

From healing to harvest: the story behind Lovelight Farm

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November 21, 2025

Discover Montgomery Whitewater through Robin Simms’ unique experiences as a river guide and outdoor adventurer.

Aerial shot of Montgomery Whitewater

How one outdoor adventurer found her way home to Montgomery Whitewater

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November 13, 2025

When Birmingham runner Ashlie Ithurburn laced up her shoes on the morning of October 16, she wasn’t just heading out for a run—she was setting out to make history. Five days, six hours, and thirty-nine minutes later, she reached the summit of Flagg Mountain, setting a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 335-mile Pinhoti […]

Ashlie Ithurburn running the Pinhoti Trail

Birmingham runner sets new fastest known time on Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail

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November 13, 2025

A new kind of retail experience, highlighting the world’s best craftsmen and women, conservation through craftsmanship coalition, and creating community afield.

Outside of AVONTUUR in Homewood Alabama

AVONTUUR: The spirit of adventure finds a new home in Homewood

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November 10, 2025

Alabama teens can apply for the Shooting Sports Scholarship Fund to gain skills in firearm safety and outdoor activities.

Father and son hunting outdoors

Alabama teens invited to experience the outdoors through new sporting scholarship fund

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November 6, 2025

This weekend, the Birmingham community will come together to take meaningful steps toward a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). On Sunday, November 2, Breakthrough T1D—formerly known as JDRF—will host its annual Breakthrough T1D Walk at Wald Park in Vestavia Hills, uniting families, friends, and supporters from across Alabama in the fight against T1D. The […]

Breakthrough T1D Walk

Breakthrough T1D Walk Comes to Birmingham

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October 30, 2025

“This is my home river, so my drinking water the majority of my life [has come] from this river,” shares Justinn Overton, Executive Director of Coosa Riverkeeper.  That lifelong connection is what has kept her dedicated to the health of the Coosa River for 13 of the organization’s 15 years. After being named one of […]

Coosa River

Coosa Riverkeeper: Keeping Alabama’s waterways wild

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October 27, 2025

Alabamians know that fall is the perfect time to get outdoors. As September fades into October, the rolling hills are painted in shades of amber, orange, and crimson, and a peaceful walk on one of the state’s celebrated trails is exactly what’s needed for a moment of calm. Decatur and its surrounding landscape offer more […]

A forest scene at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama with tall trees covered in vibrant autumn foliage. Golden, orange, and red leaves fill the canopy, creating a warm, colorful landscape.

Discover Decatur: Fall forest bathing in North Alabama

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September 26, 2025

North Alabama’s Singing River Trail is more than just a network of greenways–it’s a vision for a connected, thriving region. When complete, the Singing River Trail will be a 200+ mile greenway system that strengthens regional bonds and creates new opportunities in health and wellness, education, economic development, tourism, and entrepreneurship for the people and […]

Connecting Communities: What’s next for Alabama’s Singing River Trail

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September 25, 2025

On a crisp fall day along the banks of the Coosa River, the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival (WEWA) invites Alabamians to slow down, look closer, and celebrate the natural beauty that surrounds them. Presented by The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts, the festival blends fine art, outdoor adventure, family fun, and hands-on experiences in […]

The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival returns to the Coosa River

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September 22, 2025

For generations, the South has been home to some of the country’s most remarkable makers and craftsmen. With pride poured into every project, these talented individuals have served as the heart and soul of well-known and well-loved brands that stand the test of time. In a generation where conservation is critical, the Conservation Through Craftsmanship […]

The story behind the Conservation Through Craftsmanship Coalition

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September 19, 2025

As summer winds down, the folks at McGee Farm are preparing for the arrival of fall. Each year, McGee Farm welcomes thousands of visitors to its Florence pumpkin patch to celebrate fall and all its glory. From September 27 through October 31, McGee Farm will be open daily, inviting the public to a fun-filled pumpkin-picking […]

Florence’s McGee Farm prepares for its 30th pumpkin patch season

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September 15, 2025

Tucked away in the historic town of Mooresville, 1818 Farms has become one of Alabama’s most celebrated destinations—featured in Southern Living, recognized by Amazon as a Top 5 Women-Owned Business, and beloved by visitors from across the country. In this episode of Get to Know Alabama, host Courtney Hancock sits down with founder Natasha McCrary […]

1818 Farms: Sustainable Flower Farm in Alabama

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September 7, 2025

Alabama’s outdoors are a driver of economic growth and community pride. In the latest episode of Afield, host Christiana Roussel sits down with Commissioner Chris Blankenship of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to explore the projects shaping the state’s future. From brand-new cottages at Wind Creek State Park to the Forever Wild […]

Conservation in Alabama with Commissioner Chris Blankenship on this month’s episode of Afield

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September 2, 2025

Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. Our Alabama State Parks Passport series highlights all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The seventeenth in our series is Paul M. Grist State Park. According to Alabama State […]

Alabama State Parks Passport: Your guide to Paul Grist State Park

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August 20, 2025

Alabama is home to many of the most beautiful bodies of water in the region. Alabamians have the privilege of enjoying incredible, fresh catches from the Gulf and the opportunity to retreat to the South’s most stunning beaches. But what happens when these priceless local luxuries are threatened? We had the chance to speak with […]

This coastal conservation effort is saving much more than Alabama’s beaches

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July 30, 2025

The Lower Perdido Islands are a group of small, undeveloped islands (Bird, Robinson and Walker) located near Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, Alabama. The islands and surrounding waters have never been more popular, not surprising given the beautiful blue-green waters, easy access to sandy beaches and unique wildlife. Many of the roughly 8 million visitors […]

The Nature Conservancy: Perdido Islands Restoration

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July 18, 2025

Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. Our Alabama State Parks Passport series highlights all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The sixteenth in our series is Roland Cooper State Park. According to Alabama State Parks, […]

Alabama State Parks Passport: Your guide to Roland Cooper State Park

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July 9, 2025

In this episode of Afield, Christiana sits down with renowned Alabama chef and James Beard semifinalist Rob McDaniel to explore the intersections of food, faith, and conservation. After his first Birmingham restaurant, Helen, has been a hit, Chef Rob is now diving deep into sustainable seafood with the launch of Bayonet—his new oyster-forward restaurant in […]

AFIELD: Episode 2 features outdoor enthusiast Chef Rob McDaniel

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July 2, 2025