Outdoor Heritage & Stewardship
Preserving Alabama's lands, waters, and wildlife for our children and grandchildren
Alabama's rivers, forests, and wildlife are part of what makes our state, and District 7, special. From the Tennessee River to our creeks and woodlands, these natural resources support our hunting and fishing traditions, provide clean water for our families and farms, and drive jobs in rural communities.
Conservation isn't about locking up land or Washington telling us what to do. It's about stewardship: taking care of what God has given us and passing it on to the next generation in better shape than we found it. That's a responsibility we all share, whether you farm, hunt, fish, hike, camp, or simply want your grandchildren to enjoy the Alabama you grew up in.
Alabama's outdoor economy isn't a luxury. It's a major employer. Hunting and fishing alone generate $3.2 billion annually and support 73,553 jobs across our state, with many of those jobs right here in rural North Alabama. Outdoor recreation overall contributes $6.6 billion and supports 65,000 jobs.
Our state parks drive $375 million in economic impact and support over 5,300 jobs. Clean water and accessible natural areas don't just improve quality of life. They attract businesses, raise property values, and create opportunities for outfitters, guides, restaurants, and lodging that keep money circulating in communities like ours.
When we protect wildlife habitat and water quality through voluntary partnerships with landowners, we're not just doing the right thing environmentally. We're making smart economic development decisions that benefit District 7 families for decades to come.
Conservation has deep classical conservative roots. President Theodore Roosevelt, a classical Republican, established our national parks because he understood that stewarding the land is a responsibility we owe to those who come after us. Here in Alabama, that tradition continues.
In 1992, Alabama voters approved the Forever Wild Land Trust by an overwhelming 84 percent, one of the highest margins ever recorded for conservation legislation in America. They approved it again in 2012 with 75 percent support. Why? Because Forever Wild is built on classical conservative principles:
Since 1992, Forever Wild has protected over 266,000 acres while returning $5 in natural goods and services for every $1 invested. That's stewardship that works.
Conservation works best when it comes from the ground up, not the top down. Here's what I'll support:
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers Alabama farmers and landowners free technical assistance and cost-share funding for conservation practices, everything from streambank restoration to wildlife habitat improvements. These are 100% voluntary programs where landowners maintain control and get paid to implement practices that benefit their land. I'll work to ensure District 7 landowners know about and can access these programs, which help protect soil, improve water quality, and increase land value, all while keeping property rights with the people who own the land.
Clean water isn't a liberal or classical conservative issue. It's a family health and economic issue. When our rivers and creeks are healthy, our property values stay strong, our fish and game populations thrive, and our farms have the water they need. I'll support partnerships between the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, our local conservation districts, and willing landowners to tackle water quality challenges through practical, voluntary conservation practices, not top-down EPA mandates.
With 535,000 hunters and 683,000 anglers contributing over $3 billion to our economy annually, hunting and fishing aren't just traditions. They're economic engines. I'll fight to maintain and expand public hunting access, support wildlife management practices that keep game populations healthy, and ensure that Alabama families can pass on these traditions to their children. That means supporting programs like Forever Wild that have added Wildlife Management Areas across the state while protecting the private property rights of landowners who choose to participate.
Alabama currently has only 6.2% publicly accessible land compared to 33% in Florida and 17.3% in Tennessee. We're leaving economic development dollars on the table. Strategic investments in state parks, trails, and recreational access can attract businesses and skilled workers to rural Alabama while creating jobs in tourism, guiding services, and outdoor retail. Every dollar invested wisely in outdoor recreation infrastructure returns dividends in economic activity and quality of life.
Alabama is the 4th most biologically diverse state in America and ranks #1 in the nation for freshwater biodiversity. The Tennessee River watershed that runs through District 7 is home to 176 fish species, 89 mussel species, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This biodiversity isn't just something to be proud of. It's an asset. Species diversity means healthier ecosystems, cleaner water, and better hunting and fishing. I'll support voluntary conservation programs that protect rare species and their habitats while respecting private property rights and working with landowners, not against them.