Last week, the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA), the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (RC&D) hosted around 40 women in government to participate in outdoor events in Baldwin County.
This year’s theme was “Working Together” to showcase how the different organizations work together across the state to keep Alabama growing and thriving in its communities, environment, and economy.
“Women in the Woods provides invaluable educational opportunities that empower women in state government to gain a deeper understanding of industries like forestry, conservation, and wildfire management,” said Representative Leigh Hulsey. “This event strengthens our ability to support these essential fields, which play a vital role in serving, protecting, and growing our state.”
On the first day, ladies participated in a tour of Week’s Bay in Baldwin County. The tour was hosted by DCNR and focused on the different ecosystems South Alabama is fortunate to have. The AFC discussed their land management plan and their conservation efforts by using controlled burns at the Gulf State Park with the group while touring the Park.
On the second day, the participants were trained in Firearms Safety 101 hosted by DCNR at the City of Orange Beach Shooting Range. The ladies were instructed by highly trained rangers on proper gun safety and techniques. This allowed DCNR to showcase one of the many programs available to Alabama’s citizens that promote outdoor recreation and appreciation of the state’s abundant natural resources.
“DCNR is thankful for our great working relationship with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Forestry Association,” said Charlanna Skaggs, General Counsel for DCNR.
“We appreciated the opportunity last week to showcase Gulf State Park to some incredible women leaders from around our state, and to talk about the projects we are working on with AFC and AFA. DCNR was excited to share with them that we will be using 100% Alabama-grown timber in our new Cheaha State Lodge.”
“Women in the Woods” coincides with Alabama’s Woods to Goods Week, which is celebrated during the third week of October and proclaimed by Governor Kay Ivey each year. This is the third year AFA has hosted “Women in the Woods.”
Women in the Woods participants included:
• Vilma Sneed – Smurfit Westrock
• Jennifer Fidler – Alabama House of Representatives
• Hope Brasell – Deputy Chief Of Staff, Senate President Pro Tempore
• Sara Elizabeth Burnham – The Bloom Group
• Twinkle Cavanaugh – Alabama Public Service Commission
• Alyson Cauthen – EBW Development
• Terri Collins – Alabama House Representatives
• Susan DuBose – Alabama House of Representatives
• Christy Edwards – Court of Civil Appeals
• Stephanie Fuller – ForestryWorks®
• Donna Givens – Alabama House of Representatives
• Emily Ham – International Paper
• Blake Hardwich – Adams and Reese LLP
• Frances Holk-Jones – Alabama House of Representatives
• Leigh Hulsey – Alabama House of Representatives
• Jane Hutcheson – Cosby Company
• Tera Johnson – Office of US Senator Katie Britt
• Elizabeth Langley – Chris Langley Timber & Mgt, Inc
• Charlsi Lee – Lieutenant Governor’s Office
• Emily Lyons – B.R. Mosley Land Co.
• Lora McClendon – PowerSouth Energy
• Laura Jean McCurdy – Ag & Industries
• Mary Martin Mitchell – Alabama Department of Revenue
• Lillian Parker – Buchanan Timber and Forestry
• Catherine Reaves – Alabama Port Authority
• Robin Ricks – Manufacture Alabama
• Jeana Ross – Alabama House of Representatives
• Connie Rowe – Lieutenant Governor’s Office
• Charlanna Skaggs – AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Cyndi Tidwell – F & C Logging
• Susan Wilhelm – Alabama Department of Finance
• Kelli Wise – Supreme Court of Alabama
• Sarah Wooten – RC&D
• Chris Ziebach – Camille Place, Founder
• Anna Morgan Duke – Alabama Forestry Association
