JSU’s ‘Forever Wild’ documentary covers eventful life of Alabama’s James Martin

In the closing days of World War II, James “Jim” Martin was one of the first Americans to discover a Nazi concentration camp and observe the worst of what man can do to his fellow man. The next day, he was a guide for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and other top U.S. generals who wanted to see the camp.

These are some of the first details we learn about Martin’s life in a new documentary produced by Longleaf Studios at Jacksonville State University and premiering Monday, Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. on Alabama Public Television.

“Forever Wild – The James D. Martin Story” is a revealing portrait of Martin’s life, his work in politics and his achievements as director of Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In the early 1960s, Martin was one of the first Republicans to seriously challenge the lock on Alabama politics held by the Democratic Party, nearly defeating incumbent Lister Hill in the race for the U.S. Senate in 1962. Martin served one term in the U.S. House, 1965-1967. Although he was unsuccessful in several later campaigns for office, he continued to have an important impact on state politics.

Later, at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Martin pressed oil companies to pay fair royalties to the state for oil pumped from Alabama coastal waters, fought to preserve Alabama’s coastal boundaries and founded Alabama’s Forever Wild program to preserve natural areas for everyone to enjoy. As longtime radio broadcaster J. Holland of Gadsden said, “What Jim did then is paying today, and will continue to pay far into the future.”

James Martin with most of an eventful life still ahead of him. (contributed)

James Martin in a picturesque setting during his Army days. Martin loved the outdoors and became one of Alabama’s major conservationists. (contributed)

James Martin in his Army days. He was among the first U.S. soldiers to see a Nazi concentration camp. (contributed)

James Martin during his Army days. (contributed)

James Martin’s wedding with Patricia McDaniel, a former Miss Alabama. The couple had three children. (contributed)

James Martin, fourth from left in front, with fellow soldiers. (contributed)

James Martin’s long life included World War II service, marriage to a former Miss Alabama, several political campaigns, a term in Congress and the top job at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where he championed the establishment of the Forever Wild Land Trust. (contributed)

James Martin with two of his three children. (contributed)

A portrait of James Martin during his days as one of the early campaigners in the Alabama Republican Party. (contributed)

James Martin during a political campaign. (contributed)

James Martin is sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives. (contributed)

One of James Martin’s campaign brochures. (contributed)

Martin with his wife, Patricia, second from left, and others in Washington. (contributed)

Martin with Gerald R. Ford. (contributed)

James Martin with President George H.W. Bush in 1992. The two men shared a love of bass fishing, and Bush repeatedly visited Alabama to fish. (contributed)

James Martin, center, leads the proceedings at the Pintlala Eagles of Angling Bass Tournament, where the guests included President George H.W. Bush, left. (contributed)

James Martin enjoyed 99 eventful years, but his legacy could last forever. (contributed)

The first page of a paper by James Martin on the Forever Wild Land Trust, likely to be his most enduring legacy in Alabama. (contributed)

“This is an incredible opportunity for JSU to tell one of the many stories that have shaped the state of Alabama,” said Seth Johnson, department head and professor at JSU and director of Longleaf Studios. “The partnership with JSU’s Longleaf Studios and Alabama Public Television to produce these documentaries provides our students with invaluable experience working on real-world projects with industry professionals.”

Longleaf Studios is working on a documentary about the Freedom Riders, expected to broadcast on Alabama Public Television in February 2021.

APT’s broadcast of “Forever Wild – The James D. Martin Story” will be followed at 10 p.m. by the national Edward R. Murrow Award-winning documentary “Jeremiah,” the story of Jeremiah Denton, the Vietnam War pilot and later Alabama senator’s harrowing ordeal as a prisoner of war. Both programs will be available online.

Wild azalea at Fort Toulouse. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (contributed)

Yates Lake. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (contributed)

Walls of Jericho, winter. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (contributed)

Pitcher plants in Splinter Hill Bog. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (Billy Pope)

Shoal Creek Nature Preserve. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

Heron Bay. Since 1994, the Forever Wild program has been involved in the purchase and preservation of 188,000 acres in Alabama. (Billy Pope)

The Turkey Creek Nature Preserve near Birmingham is among the public lands protected by Forever Wild. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)