As Alabama moved to limit public gatherings and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, the state’s 21 parks looked for ways to keep residents connected to the outdoors without crowding them together.
The Alabama State Parks Naturalists rolled out a ‘Virtual Naturalist’ series on the Facebook pages of five parks — Gulf State Park, Oak Mountain, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville and Cheaha. The programming mixes Facebook Live videos, short clips, photographs, park stories and occasional challenges. Naturalists also launched a survey to learn which kinds of content viewers want most.
For those able to get outside while keeping their distance, park officials encouraged self-guided activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, birding and biking, while warning that some facilities could be limited.
On March 19, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Alabama’s public and private beaches would close. That included the beaches at Gulf State Park, though the park’s fishing pier remained open, along with campgrounds, trails and other non-beach areas.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division said state and federal waters would open to private anglers for red snapper on May 22, but acknowledged the pandemic made the timing uncertain. Col. Scott Bannon, who directs the division, said planning that far out was difficult and that he hoped the state would be past the outbreak well before the season opened.
Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the department was taking the health guidance seriously. ‘We know many Alabamians want to get outdoors during the spring and enjoy some recreational opportunities that can refresh in these challenging times,’ he said. ‘Just remember, we must do so safely.’
With traditional group programming on hold, the virtual series and open-air recreation gave Alabamians safer ways to experience the state’s natural wonders.