Senator Katie Britt was presented the Legislative Conservationist of the Year Award at the 2026 Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet, while Chris Blankenship was presented the Conservationist of the Year Award.
The Alabama Wildlife Federation, or AWF, held the banquet, co-sponsored by Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy, on Friday, August 7, at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Governor Kay Ivey provided a congratulatory video prepared specifically for the 2026 award recipients.
The AWF Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, or GCAA, are the most respected conservation honors in Alabama, according to the organization’s press release. For more than 50 years, AWF has presented the awards to individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources.
“Senator Britt grew up connected to the outdoors – and that fundamental connection guides her actions as a United States Senator,” AWF said in its press release.
Before running for the Senate, Britt said that connection to the outdoors inspired her volunteer service on the AWF Board of Directors.
“It was bittersweet when her service on the AWF Board was paused following her election, but AWF and Senator Britt knew that her new role would position her to work for, at the highest level, those same conservation principles that inspired her service with AWF,” the organization said.
Since her election, Britt’s actions have contributed to conservation gains in Alabama, including:
- Dedicated funding for research and mitigation of depleted fish stocks.
- $52 million to support Department of the Interior efforts to combat aquatic invasive species such as hydrilla, eel grass and milfoil.
- $5 million to support critical work of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
- $1 million to support oyster restoration in Alabama waters.
- Expansion of the Talladega National Forest and Hollins Wildlife Management Area by 1,400 acres.
- Co-sponsorship of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to foster proactive management of wildlife species before they need listing under the Endangered Species Act.
- Co-sponsorship of the White Oak Resiliency Act to promote white oak-dominant woodlands through public-private partnerships.
- Co-sponsorship of the Disaster Reforestation Act to help private landowners re-establish beneficial forests after major disasters.
- Helping launch the Senate Stewardship Caucus, dedicated to conserving public lands and waters, recovering wildlife habitats and promoting responsible land and natural resource management.
“Alabama’s natural resources, and the public entities and private landowners who steward those resources, are empowered by and thankful for the leadership of Senator Katie Britt,” AWF added.
During Blankenship’s nearly 10-year tenure as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, his leadership and accomplishments include:
- $1.5 billion invested in more than 300 coastal Alabama projects as a result of Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds, significantly improving marine and coastal habitats for wildlife and fish.
- $350 million invested in state park improvements across Alabama.
- $66 million in boating access improvements so Alabama residents can more effectively enjoy the state’s water resources.
- 105,000 acres of important conservation lands secured for the benefit and enjoyment of Alabama residents.
- Securing state management of red snapper, significantly expanding Alabama’s artificial reef footprint, improving red snapper populations and, as a result, lengthening recreational red snapper fishing from three days to 200 days.
- Completion of the new Lodge and Conference Center at Gulf State Park and a new hotel at Cheaha State Park.
- More waterfowl management improvements on wildlife management areas than in the previous 50 years combined.
- Significantly expanded partnerships with Alabama colleges and universities to yield research that will inform resource management decisions and provide a pipeline for young, highly qualified natural resource professionals.
As one of Blankenship’s peers said, “I have worked with five different Conservation Commissioners during my 30+ years in natural resources. Chris Blankenship has certainly been the Commissioner that accomplished the most with the resources at his disposal.”
Alabama Power Company and PowerSouth Energy were the presenting sponsors for the event. The Westervelt Company, Lockheed Martin, Tennessee Valley Authority, Alabama Farm Credit and Alabama AG Credit Land & Farm Lenders sponsored the event’s social. Additional sponsor support was provided by David and Kelly Thomas; Ralph and Catherine Martin III; National Wildlife Federation; University of South Alabama-Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences; Josh and Mary Virginia Mandell; Lee Thuston; Three Notch Group; and Russell Lands.
AWF’s GCAA was created to promote leadership by example and increase conservation of Alabama’s natural resources, including its wildlife, forests, fish, soils, water and air. The program is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of conservation practices and projects and recognize people and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare of their communities and the state.
The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity.
To learn more about the Alabama Wildlife Federation, including membership details, programs and projects, contact AWF at 1-800-822-WILD or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.
