In Alabama, there is one asset that can never be undervalued: our state’s natural beauty. Often referred to as Alabama the Beautiful, many acknowledge that our state offers Southerners something special, but locals know that enjoying Alabama’s beauty is something that can not be replicated. For generations, outdoor activities across Alabama and much of the country have been primarily male-dominated spaces, but through the increasing visibility of the voices of women in the outdoors, we see the tide turning. Hear from three inspiring women in the outdoors about their deep appreciation of Alabama’s natural beauty.

Marilyn Vetter

Marilyn Vetter, CEO of Quail Forever, recently shared what the state’s stunning outdoor spaces and organizations mean to her from the perspective of preservation. For Vetter, her early life was characterized by many moments spent outdoors, roaming open spaces and gardening alongside her mother. These experiences remain ever-present when it comes to her perception of preservation, “My parents instilled that value, that nothing was to be wasted,” she said. “And every time you take a bird, you hold it and you value it because it gave something for you.”

From Vetter’s point of view, enjoying the outdoors can be a catalyst for a deeper connection. “I look at neighboring states and how they catapulted when people understand the ramifications of investment in conservation. Whether they’re hunters or not, quite honestly, die-hard hunters aren’t really there to fill their game bag. They’re there to be outside with their bird dog, with their kids, their grandkids, with their friends, their spouse, and they’re out there to enjoy that connection.”

Her heartfelt mission is made clear when she speaks about her work at Quail Forever, “We want people to see that small actions lead to greater impact. There are so many people in the state who value that. They just haven’t heard of us before.” Conservation and restoration work can offer a life-changing shift in perspective. “I want them to experience it because it fills a spot in their hearts and souls that’s a void they maybe didn’t even know was there. I think there is a tremendous opportunity with creating connections that people haven’t experienced before,” Vetter shares.

 

Christiana Roussel

Christiana Roussel, Birmingham-based editor, award-winning writer, and host of the Afield podcast, has a deep and lasting connection to the outdoors. She points to a quote by Henry David Thoreau that resonates with her: “I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” In her own words:

“I’ll readily admit to being a bit of a late bloomer in life. It took me decades to truly discover that ‘subtle magnetism’ Thoreau speaks of, that magic of living connected to the outdoors. Growing up as something of a city girl, I never imagined the pure joy of watching pointers and flushers spring into action, brimming with boundless enthusiasm for the work they were born to do. I hadn’t yet discovered the camaraderie of spending a day with friends, wading through fields of milo and broomsedge in pursuit of quail.

“I hadn’t learned the quiet exhilaration of standing knee-deep in a rushing stream, cold water pressing against my waders, a fly rod in hand. Nor had I experienced the contentment of falling asleep with my hair scented by a bonfire, where cocktails and tall tales mingled under a starry sky in the warmth of shared company. It may have taken me a while to get here, but I’m savoring every moment of these newfound adventures. And more than anything, I love sharing them with readers, bringing them along for the journey.”

 

Blakelee Moody

Blakelee Moody, an Alabama-based content creator and outdoor enthusiast, brings a charming perspective to what it means to be a modern outdoorswoman. She shares:

“I hear people often say that Alabama is a drive-through state, but my question to them is this: When was the last time you explored your backyard? The unmistakable beauty of a live oak, the magnitude of a hardwood bottom. The electric hues of azaleas in early spring, the cool crisp breeze in the fall as the seasons slowly roll over. The first rays from sunrise that wake you while sitting against a tree in April. From the most gorgeous white sand and see-through green waves of our beaches to the changing leaves on the rolling hills of the northern part of the state, Alabama offers endless beauty and so much wildlife, from bobwhite quail to whitetail deer.

“Being a good steward of the place the Lord saw fit for me to call home allows me to never have a season without something to do that gets me outside. For me, being outdoors connects me with the Lord in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve chosen to sit hours on end in the freezing cold or blistering Alabama heat, day after day, weekend after weekend.

“Being an outdoorswoman feels like a calling I can’t turn down. It allows me to simplify my life, silence the distractions and the noise, and bring perspective to what’s really important. Alabama is more than just a state for me. Alabama is the best place I could ask to call my home, and it provides me with limitless opportunities in the outdoors. My hope is that I can inspire and encourage other women to get outside, showing them you can be in touch with your feminine side while also falling in love with the place we get to call home—sweet home Alabama.”