The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel Present the Outdoor Alabama Expo to Culminate the Year of Outdoor Alabama
Oak Mountain State Park, Birmingham, Ala.
September 30, 2006 from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Outdoor Alabama Expo is a hands-on, family-friendly event. Participants will enjoy outdoor recreation and learn about conservation through a variety of how-to sessions. Experts will help introduce newcomers to activities such as birding, fishing, boating safety, rock climbing and wildlife watching.
Free Day at Oak Mountain State Park Allows Families to Explore New Outdoor Adventures
Oak Mountain is opening its gates for residents and visitors to experience an admission-free day in one of Alabama's most popular state parks. All equipment will be provided, and the $3 entrance fee will be waived. Activities at the Expo include learn-to-hunt and learn-to-fish programs that will introduce newcomers to the popular sports. A Shooting Sports Area will give participants the opportunity to shoot small bore rifles, air guns and shotguns and practice archery.
Several birds of prey will also be featured at the Expo, including hawks, owls and eagles from the Kelley Bartlett Conservancy. Expo visitors will also enjoy a fish touch-tank containing live fish and other aquatic species, bird-watching lessons and a boating exhibit that includes boating and water safety.
Exhibitors, Activities and Music for the Whole Family
Additional activities offered at the Expo include rock climbing, environmental education, guided nature hikes and canoeing, as well as informational exhibits from a variety of outdoor organizations including the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Alabama Army National Guard, Alabama Hiking Trail Society, McWane Center, Army Corps of Engineers, Alabama Horse Society and the Birmingham Zoo. These groups will be providing activities such as boating on the lake in electric mini-boats, native live animals and equestrian activites.
Local bands and singers will also be on hand to provide visitors with a variety of music throughout the Expo.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes the statewide stewardship and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy them. The department also advises the state government on management of freshwater fish, wildlife, marine resources, waterway safety, state lands, state parks and other natural resources. This includes the administration, management and maintenance of 22 state parks, 23 public fishing lakes, three freshwater fish hatcheries, 34 wildlife management areas, two waterfowl refuges, three nature centers, two wildlife sanctuaries, a mariculture center with 35 ponds and 645,000 acres of trust lands. Other departmental functions include maintenance of a State Land Resource Information Center and administration of the Forever Wild land-acquisition program.
Directions to Oak Mountain State Park from I-65:
Oak Mountain State Park is located 15 miles south of Birmingham off Exit 246 on Interstate 65.
From I-65, take the Cahaba Valley Road (AL-119) exit. Go south on AL-119 and immediately turn left onto State Park Road. Go approximately 1.5 miles to the park entrance.
Images from the Alabama Outdoor Expo in Huntsville:
