Sen. Britt, Commissioner Blankenship Honored by Alabama Wildlife Federation

The Alabama Wildlife Federation recognized U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship at its annual conservation banquet last week.

Britt received the Legislator of the Year award for her work in Congress supporting conservation and public land access. Blankenship was named Conservationist of the Year for his leadership at ADCNR in expanding hunting, fishing and wildlife management programs across the state, including in Mobile Bay and coastal counties.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation is one of the state’s oldest conservation organizations, working to preserve wildlife habitat and public access to Alabama’s natural resources.

About the honorees and the federation

The Alabama Wildlife Federation was founded in 1935 and is based in Millbrook, where it operates the Alabama Nature Center at its Lanark property.

Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and took office in January 2023, becoming the first woman elected to the Senate from Alabama. Blankenship led the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division before Gov. Kay Ivey appointed him commissioner of the department.