Press Release

New Wehle Land Conversation Center Hosts Bird Awareness (and More!) Day

March 07, 2005

Bird Awareness Day, sponsored by the State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is set for Saturday April 2, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the new Wehle Land Conservation Center near Midway in Bullock County. This year’s free celebration of spring migration offers many new activities and programs.

The Wehle Land Conservation Center, in the heart of the Forever Wild Wehle Tract, features a series of restored early-period log cabins with information emphasizing the Alabama pioneer’s relationship to land during that era. The Center’s surroundings allow visitors to experience a diversity of nature-based activities.

Along with the programs associated with Bird Awareness Day, visitors can enjoy the two fishing ponds; hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding trails; and picnic facilities. Canoes are available to the public at no charge. The trails, canoeing, and fishing are open to the public on the first Saturday of each month, and the cabins are open on the first Saturday of each quarter.

Programs for the day include presentations by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Conservation Southeast, Inc., and the Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center. Live birds from the Auburn Southeastern Raptor Center, including one of Auburn’s eagles, will be on display. Some raptors will be flown during the demonstrations.

Concurrent with the Bird Awareness event, live demonstrations showcasing early lifestyle activities will be featured all day at the Conservation Center’s complex. Auburn University’s Agronomy and Soils Department and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will have a hands-on exhibit demonstrating how corn meal and wheat flour are produced. Blacksmithing will also be demonstrated onsite.

There is no admission charge. Bring binoculars for bird viewing. Vendors will have food and bird-related items for sale throughout the day.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

#####