gulf shores and orange beach tourism

Melea Hames is the social media manager at Visit North Alabama, also known as the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. She is also the host of the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama Podcast.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED

1. How did the idea for the North Alabama Waterfall Trail come about, and what factors were considered when selecting the waterfalls to include on the trail?
2. How has social media played a role in promoting the North Alabama Waterfall Trail and attracting visitors to the region?
3. How has hosting the Unexpected Adventure in North Alabama podcast impacted your work and your ability to connect with local communities and visitors?
4. What are some unique outdoor experiences and attractions North Alabama offers besides the waterfalls?
5. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected tourism in North Alabama, and what strategies have been implemented to encourage people to explore the region post-pandemic?
6. How do you ensure accessibility for individuals with mobility issues when developing and promoting outdoor experiences in North Alabama?
7. As the host of the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast, how do you select guests and topics that will appeal to your audience and align with the mission of promoting outdoor exploration and conservation?
8. What are some plans or initiatives that Visit North Alabama has in store to continue attracting visitors and showcasing the region's natural beauty?

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Visit North Alabama and the waterfalls of North Alabama, visit their website at northalabama.org and on the following social sites:

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok

NEXT STEPS

To begin planning your beach vacation, getaway, or outing, visit the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism website at https://www.gulfshores.com/.

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to the outdoor adventure space, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them too.

KEYWORDS

Visit North Alabama, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview.

#VisitNorthAlabama #AlabamaMountainLakesTouristAssociation #UnexpectedAdventuresinNorthAlabamaPodcast #ExploreAlabama #TravelAlabama #GulfShoresAlabama #OutdoorAdventure #OutdoorAdventure #OWAA2023

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Mark Berte is the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) executive director; the ACF is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The ACF was formed to bring together individuals from coastal Alabama's private and governmental sectors to address various issues. Inspired by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's successful work in another part of the country, ACF was modeled after its approach.

TOPICS WE DISCUSSED 

1.  How has the Alabama Coastal Foundation evolved over the past 30 years, and what are some of its most significant achievements?
2.  What role do volunteers play in the organization, and what are some of the volunteer opportunities available?
3.  How does the ACF promote conservation awareness and understanding through its educational programs?
4.  What initiatives does the ACF have to protect and conserve sea turtles? How can individuals support these efforts?
5.  How has bipartisan cooperation addressed environmental issues, as highlighted by the protection of the underwater forest?
6.  What events and outreach programs have the organization planned, and how can individuals get involved or attend?

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the Alabama Coastal Foundation, visit their website at https://www.joinacf.org or on the following social sites:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alabamacoastal
Instagram: http://instagram.com/alabamacoastal
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlabamaCoastal
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/alabama-coastal-foundation

NEXT STEPS

To begin planning your beach vacation, getaway, or outing, visit the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism website at https://www.gulfshores.com/.

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to the outdoor adventure space, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them too.

KEYWORDS

Alabama Coastal Foundation, Outdoor Writers Association of America Conference, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, Environmental Improvement, Inclusive Environmental Stewardship, Coastal IQ, Conservation Awareness, Sea Turtle Nesting Season, Federally Protected Species, Underwater Forest Protection, Bipartisan Cooperation, Rachel Carlson's Silent Spring, Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Program, Nesting Season, Turtle Fest, Oyster Shell Recycling Program

#AlabamaCoastalFoundation #PodcastGuest #OutdoorAdventure #OWAA2023

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Cortney Weatherby is our guest on the Outdoor Adventure Series today.

Cortney is the Coastal Outreach Manager for Alabama Audubon. 

She is an environmental educator and conservationist. She loves spending time outdoors in various capacities: birding, fly fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or diving when the opportunity arises.

Questions We Discussed

1. What threats do beach-nesting birds face?
2. How can people help these birds when they visit the beach?
3. Why would you recommend people get into birding?

Aha Moment(s)

Two stories ---- 

Cortney led a bird walk for about 20 people, and during the walk, they saw birds that most birders would consider common, but many of these people might have seen some of those birds before but not necessarily known what they were. It was a fun and engaged group, and they had some birds cooperate and stay in view long enough to point out identifying features.

Before Christmas, Cortney gave a program about beach-nesting birds to a group of third and fifth-graders at a local school. At the conclusion, when she was answering questions, one of them asked me what college degree they would need to work for Alabama Audubon, and another asked that even though they are young if there was a way for them to help the birds nest on the beach.

InSight2Go

If you head to a beach or island that has active bird nesting on the beach, remember two sayings: 

1. Fish, swim, and play from 50 yards away. Giving these birds space makes a huge difference. 
2. If the birds are squawking, keep on walking! A lot of people ask us how close to the birds is too close...If the birds start shuffling around and making noise at you, you know you are too close!

MEDIA

https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/alabama-conservation-birds.

LEARN MORE

Thank you to the Alabama Audubon funders, the Alabama DCNR, the AL Trustee Implementation Group (TIG), the National Audubon Society, and the USFWS, who allow the Alabama Audubon to keep doing this important work on the Alabama coast. And to all of their partners who allow them to conduct surveys and monitoring on their property and are working to help preserve the AL gulf coast. Visit the www.alaudubon.org website to learn more about the programs offered or volunteer opportunities,

You can also visit the Alabama AuDubon on these social sites:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/alaudubon

Instagram - www.instagram.com/alaudubon/

Get to know the Merlin Bird ID app. to learn more about how to ID birds.

To begin planning your beach vacation, getaway, or outing, visit the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism website at https://www.gulfshores.com/.

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to the outdoor adventure space, find us online at https://outdoora

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Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism sponsor this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series. Warm temps and fresh seafood make the Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect beach destination for family vacations, couples getaways, outdoor adventures, meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Our guest today is Suzanne Downing.

Suzanne is the Publications Editor for the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA).

Suzanne is an outdoor communicator with environmental science and journalism background, living in rural Montana. She loves helping others get inspired to get outdoors and out of their comfort zone. She is also interested in the conservation of our shared outdoor spaces.

TOPICS WE DISCUSSED:

1. What is your favorite task or project to work on?
2. What was your OWAA assignment that brought you to Gulf Shores, Alabama?
3. For outdoor communicators, what are three ways to generate story leads when visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama?
4. What was a stand-out moment for you in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
5. What were your favorite dishes from your visit (Restaurant name and dish)?

SUSANNE'S RECOMMENDATIONS

Gulf State Park - https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
Admiral Shellfish Company - https://admiralshellfishcompany.com/
Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog - https://www.outdooralabama.com/weeks-bay-reserve/weeks-bay-pitcher-plant-bog
Claude Peteet Mariculture Center/Marine Resources Division - https://www.gulfshores.com/things-to-do/claude-peteet-mariculture-centermarine-resources-division/
DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen - https://desotosseafoodkitchen.com/

AHA MOMENT

About a year after my Father-in-Law had open heart surgery, my husband and I took a trip with him and my mother-in-law to Yellowstone National Park. It was the end of April, and the park was closed for a couple of days to car traffic, so we rented bicycles and rode into the park. Seeing how joyful my father-in-law was on his bike coasting down hills and enjoying the scenery in Yellowstone was an "aha" moment for me. He looked free. He was truly living!

INSIGHT2GO

Move out of your comfort zone! To grow is to feel uncomfortable. As adults, we can often stop learning or trying new things. If you have something you've always wanted to do, make it happen. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you may find you love it! Or, you may find you don't enjoy it. Either way, you'll grow as a person.

MEDIA

https://owaa.org/gulf-shores-alabama-story-leads-for-journalists/.

LEARN MORE

Suzanne wants you to know that the OWAA is not just for writers! Although it's the Outdoor Writers Association of America, we have outdoor communicators that are podcasters, videographers, illustrators, photographers, radio hosts, and more. You don't need to be a writer to be

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Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism is the sponsor of this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series. Warm temps and fresh seafood make the Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect beach destination for your family vacation, couples getaway, outdoor adventure, meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Our guest today is Scott Bannon.

Scott is the Director of the Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Questions

1. What is the role of the Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource
2. How the reef zone expansion is going for both inshore and offshore
3. How will the expansion impact anglers?
4. What other projects have we been working on to provide access to anglers? 
   Ft Morgan Fishing Pier, boat ramps, etc.

Aha Moment

I experience "aha" moments almost daily.  I like to be out and about to meet with the public. So often, I  hear their fishing stories or see their smiles.  When I speak to commercial anglers and dealers I get to hear how business is going and I often learn how we may be able to do something that helps them.

InSight2Go

We just finished another successful oyster season which put over $3 million in the hands of local fishermen and we have additional work that is going into expanding that.  we have completed an expansion of the AL Artificial Reef Zone and have been deploying reefs paid for by the state and other organizations such as Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Power, and Cooper Towing.  This has a major impact on developing fishing habitats and providing access to anglers.

Media

https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/new-artificial-reef-zone-honors-blankenships-contributions

https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/alabamas-unparalleled-artificial-reef-zones-expanded

https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/record-setting-year-alabama-saltwater-anglers

https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/mcmillan-pier-and-boat-ramp-officially-opened-fort-morgan

Learn More

To learn more about Scott and his work, visit the Outdoor Alabama website at https://www.outdooralabama.com/. You can learn about the Alabama Marine Resources Division and the ADCNR on these social sites:

Facebook (1)
Facebook (2) 
Twitter
YouTube

NEXT STEPS

To begin planning your beach vacation, getaway, or outing, visit the Gulf Shores and Or

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Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism is the sponsor of this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series. Warm temps and fresh seafood make the Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect beach destination for your family vacation, couples getaway, outdoor adventure, meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Our guest today is Anthony Ricciardone.

Anthony is the Co-Owner of Admiral Shellfish Company, based out of Fort Morgan, Alabama. Admiral raises and harvests prime oysters grown in South Alabama.

Topics we discussed:

1. Wild oysters have been harvested for centuries in Alabama. When did commercial farm-raised cultivation get established?
2. What are the characteristics of a premium Oyster?
3. What are the major obstacles to sustainable Oyster Farming in Alabama?
4. What can the public do to make a difference to ensure commercial Oyster Farming continues to thrive in Alabama?
5. How has working with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism impacted the public’s awareness of businesses like Admiral Shellfish Company?
6. How can people access more oysters or Gulf Seafood?
7. What are some of the upcoming festivals that our listeners find you and your team?

Aha Moment

Feedback from chefs or new oyster eaters that we have a unique shape and consistent quality makes all the windy, hot, and cold days worth it!

InSight2Go

AL saltwater fishing report is an incredible way to stay connected to Mobile Bay and the water!

Media

https://yellowhammernews.com/admiral-shellfish-company-offers-prime-oysters-grown-in-south-alabama/

https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/how-to-shuck-oysters/

Resources

East Coast Shellfish Growers Association – Representing the Needs of Aquaculture and the Environment (ecsga.org)

Marine Biology - Biological Sciences - Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics

Sea Grant > Welcome to NOAA Sea Grant

Big Beach Brewing Company | Gulf Shores, AL

Ahi Seafood Market - Fairhope's Freshest Seafood Market

Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest Tickets, Sat, Feb 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Learn More

To learn more about Anthony and his work, visit Admiral Shellfish Company’s website at https://admiralshellfishcompany.com/

Click here to visit Admiral Shellfish Company’s Instagram page.

NEXT STEPS

To begin planning

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Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.