ANNOUNCEMENT CHRIS OBERHOLSTER APPOIN TED TO INNOVATE AL ABAMA

Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council

ALABAMA AUDUBON is proud to share that our own Development Director, Chris Oberholster, was invited by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to represent Alabama Audubon and birding tourism as a member of the new INNOVATE ALABAMA Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable .

“There is growing appreciation for the quality of life, health and economic benefits of birding,” said Oberholster, “and this important statewide initiative will enable Alabama Audubon to gain vital insight from the diverse expertise of my fellow panel members to ensure our success in promoting birding and bird conservation.”

INNOVATE ALABAMA is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation to develop forward-thinking policies that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st century world. The purpose of the advisory roundtable is to advise decision-makers in the development of strategies to achieve three primary goals: expanding Alabama’s outdoor recreation industry, enhancing the state’s attractiveness for a skilled workforce and yielding substantial returns for both rural and urban communities for the enjoyment of current and future Alabamians.

“My hope for this Roundtable is to find ways for Alabama to be nationally known for our rich opportunities for birding and other outdoor recreational pursuits.”

“Made up of some of our state’s strongest outdoor recreation experts, the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable brings together centuries of combined knowledge in the outdoors to provide strategic recommendations on the application of outdoor recreation to enhance Alabamians’ quality of life and support economic development in rural and urban communities,” said Commissioner Chris Blankenship, chair of the Council on Outdoor Recreation. “We are thrilled to welcome these advisory members who will ensure that all regions of the state and outdoor recreation sectors have a seat at the table as we develop these recommendations.”