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Sen. Livingston accepting his award from State Parks Director Greg Lein
Rep. Kitchens accepting his award from State Parks Director Greg Lein
Submitted Release
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Winners of the seventh annual Eagle Awards were honored Saturday as part of Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park.
The Eagle Award – sponsored by the Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – is presented annually to people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in support of Alabama State Parks. For 2022, 11 winners were selected from nominations submitted.
“Millions of people visit Alabama State Parks every year, and that’s a testament to the commitment and dedication shown by volunteers, community partners, elected officials and organizations,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “The annual Eagle Awards allow us to show our appreciation for all of the amazing work the winners do to enhance outdoor recreation and help our parks provide the very best experience possible. We truly thank them for all of their hard work.
State Sen. Steve Livingston and State Rep. Wes Kitchens were among the 11 honored with the Eagle Award.
State Sen. Steve Livingston has three parks in his District, DeSoto, Monte Sano, and Buck’s Pocket. He has been very supportive of recent efforts to renovate DeSoto Falls, where upgrades to restrooms, parking areas, and a new beach and kayak launch were made. He also supported efforts to purchase 149 acres of land being sold at auction that adjoins the park’s DeSoto Falls property. Sen. Livingston also championed the re-opening and renovation of Buck’s Pocket State Park’s campground along South Sauty Creek, which was funded by a grant from ADECA.
State Rep. Wes Kitchens has three parks in his District, Cathedral Caverns, Buck’s Pocket, and Lake Guntersville. He has been very supportive of recent efforts to build a new campground at Cathedral Caverns State Park through a grant from ADECA and the ARC, as well as the project to pave the roads leading to the beautiful lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park with a special recycled tire asphalt product funded under a grant from ADEM. Rep. Kitchens also worked with Sen. Livingston on Buck’s Pocket campground project.
Both legislators were tireless leaders in the recent passage of the constitutional amendment to secure $85 million to fund new improvement projects in state parks, and both serve on the Joint Legislative Committee for State Parks.
“Our slogan is ‘Partners Pay the Way,’ and we could not thrive without the contributions of the Eagle Award winners,” said Greg Lein, Director of the Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “They truly are partners in every way possible. Thanks to their efforts, our State Parks offer expanded programs and better amenities to our park guests. We’re honored that they choose to work to make our parks better than ever.”
