The Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is accepting nominations for the Eagle Awards, which recognize special contributors to the parks.

Nominations for the eighth annual Eagle Awards are open online at https://www.alapark.com/eagle-awards-2024, with awards presented in five categories: Elected Official, Community Partner, Park Partner, Volunteer in Parks (VIP) and Youth (K5-12^th grade). The deadline for submitting nominations is Dec. 22.

Winners will be honored Jan. 20, 2024, as part of the year’s first Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park.

“Our state parks system welcomes millions of visitors each year, and we recognize that many of the programs and amenities in our parks would not be possible without the contributions of so many individuals and organizations,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR commissioner. “That’s why it’s always such an honor to thank these amazing contributors with the Eagle Awards during Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. It’s an incredible setting to thank and acknowledge the efforts that help make our state parks so welcoming.”

A rehabilitated bald eagle takes flight after being released at Lake Guntersville State Park. The park will host Alabama State Parks’ eighth annual Eagle Awards during its Eagle Awareness Weekend in January. (contributed)

Nominations are open to the public in the following categories:

Elected Official: This award honors an elected official who has worked to support and fulfill the mission of Alabama State Parks in preserving natural areas, operating recreational facilities and extending public knowledge of the state’s natural environment.

Community Partner: This award honors government organizations, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations and businesses that help parks succeed through collaboration and community support. Community partners share the vision of successful parks fostering increasingly successful communities.

Park Partner: This award honors organizations working to ensure the creation and ongoing maintenance of vital park amenities such as hiking and biking trails. The nominee is a partnering organization that sees a need and collaborates with Alabama State Parks leaders to fill it.

Volunteer in Parks: This award honors volunteers who serve to make Alabama State Parks destinations of excellence. Whether contributing physical labor at a single park or strategically planning for the parks system, VIP nominees are service-oriented individuals who keep park maintenance and growth at the forefront of all efforts.

Youth: This award highlights K5-12^th grade students who’ve made extraordinary contributions to a single state park or the Alabama State Parks system through community service organizations or individual service efforts.

“Our motto is, ‘Partners Pay the Way,’ and the Eagle Awards give us the ability to thank some of our most important partners,” Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein said.

To learn more about the Eagle Awards, click here.