Alabama is blessed with many natural wonders and diverse ecosystems, providing ample opportunities for enjoyment for both Alabamians and visitors.

South Alabamians want one of these incredible ecosystems to get the recognition it deserves, so the EcoWild Outdoor Expo was born, taking place May 10-12 at the Mobile Convention Center on Water Street along the banks of the Mobile River.

With the team at PMT Publishing Mobile Bay Magazinehas been publishing a magazine in Alabama for the past 40 years and realized that what was missing in south Alabama was an exhibit showcasing the vast array of outdoor activities available to those who live on and visit the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) quickly agreed to be a partner in the event, and ADCNR’s four divisions – Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Marine Resources, and State Parks and State Lands – will have designated areas within the convention center to share information and fun activities with attendees.

“We've been supportive of the EcoWild Outdoors Expo from the beginning because ADCNR's goal is to highlight the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state,” said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “The Expo is a chance to share with you the great outdoors where I grew up and have lived most of my life. Most people are unaware of the biodiversity of the Gulf Coast, including Mobile Bay and the incredible Mobile-Tensaw Delta, but the Expo will showcase it.”

“Through ADCNR’s exhibits and activities at the show, we hope that everyone will spend time with our staff and learn how we work diligently to protect and preserve our state’s natural resources for future generations.”

Beginning at the confluence of the Alabama River and the Tombigbee River, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta covers more than 250,000 acres of land and 20,000 acres of water, and also contains abundant marshes, river bottoms and wetlands. Congress designated the Mobile-Tensaw Delta a National Natural Landmark in 1974, and the Alabama Environmental Council considers the Delta one of Alabama's “Ten Great Natural Wonders.”

The Delta offers fishing for a wide variety of freshwater and coastal saltwater fish during certain times of the year, and hunting opportunities include numerous small game, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, wild hog, and more.

The Mobile Watershed is home to some of the world's largest collections of mussels, aquatic snails, crayfish species, and more than 300 fish species, and its aquatic biodiversity is unmatched in North America.

“Partnering with organizations like EcoWild Expo is critical to our mission,” said Billy Pope, ADCNR director of communications and marketing. “As Alabama becomes more urbanized, we lose connection to our natural resources, so we look for unique ways like EcoWild Outdoor Expo to spread the conservation message and encourage people to explore Alabama's great outdoors, which everyone can enjoy.”

Stephen Potts, assistant publisher for PMT, enjoys participating in the many outdoor activities the Mobile area has to offer and hopes to use the expo to share those activities with all Alabamians and visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

“There's a lot of passion for hunting, fishing and conservation in this area,” Potts said. “We realized there really wasn't a show like this in the area. We went to other shows, like SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, South Carolina), and we knew we wanted to bring this show to the Mobile Bay area.”

“We want to make this an annual event and grow it into something really big that people look forward to and think about every year.”

Amanda White with PMT Publishing added, “The purpose of the show is to remind people who were born and raised here what's great about Alabama, and especially this region. The show will remind people of what the region has to offer. We'll have vendors selling equipment to enjoy outdoor activities, and the big goal is to educate people on how to take care of the outdoors while we're still here. The expo will give people a chance to get hands-on experience of what it's like to enjoy the region.”

EcoWild's goal is to raise the bar for the first expo of its kind on the Gulf Coast by providing outdoor enthusiasts with the best in lifestyle gear, accessories and information on how to take advantage of the many outdoor recreational activities available. The expo will also spotlight the environmental efforts that ensure Alabama's Gulf Coast remains a beacon of the natural world. The expo will feature outdoor activities, vendors, educational sessions, guest talks, recreational exhibits, family activities, outdoor-themed art galleries, food trucks and more. Expo hours are noon to 6 p.m. on May 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 12.

“People may not realize that hunters and fishermen are our biggest conservationists,” Potts said. “Every license fee goes towards conservation, and we want to get that message out there. We love this area. We love the woods and the water. We want to protect the woods and the water and teach best practices to keep it that way for our children and grandchildren.”

PMT Publishing event coordinator Frances Hurley said the EcoWild Outdoor Expo is designed for attendees to view and acquire the latest hunting and fishing equipment, explore new activities, connect with outdoor lifestyle experts and support conservation efforts.

“There's something for everyone,” Hurley said. “We have families coming in, we want mom and dad to come buy some new hunting or fishing equipment, and we have activities for the kids, like the rock wall and the butterfly house. Outdoor Alabama (ADCNR) has a great room filled with activities. We want to have something for everyone.”

Activities at the expo include:

• Butterfly House – Visitors can walk among different species of butterflies in a display projected on screens.
• Rock Wall – Climb the 26-foot high wall, challenge yourself and compete with your friends with all the equipment you need to participate safely.
• Touch Tank – There will be numerous aquatic exhibits to view and touch, including exhibits from ADCNR’s Marine Resources Division.
• Junior Explorers – Young outdoor enthusiasts can experience outdoor education, exhibits and activities.
• Art Gallery – Check out our curated collection of outdoor-themed paintings, sculptures and photography.
• Honeybee Exhibit – See how honey is harvested, check out the exhibit hives, and learn how important honeybees are to our ecosystem.
• Bird of Prey Show – On the Saturday of the fair, skilled keepers will be displaying a number of majestic birds of prey.
• Auburn Eagle – On the Sunday of the show, the Auburn Eagle will be taking to the stage in the exhibit hall.
• Axe Throwing – Pick up an axe and try your hand at a target at the Grizzly Axe booth in the Exhibit Hall.
• Freedom Fidos – From rescue dogs to service dogs, this exhibit showcases the training and acquired skills of these canine companions.
• Archery – Archery experts provide practical tips to improve your archery skills.
• BB Gun Range – This indoor inflatable range offers firearm safety and basic shooting training.
• Kids Fishing Tank – Young anglers can gather around the fishing tank and have a go at the many fish swimming around.
• BayMobile – Explore the marine wonders of the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama coast without getting wet in a mobile science classroom.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is a sponsor of the fair, and Kristin Helmich, the tribe's director of external communications, said the fair fits perfectly into the tribe's outreach efforts.

“We have built mutually beneficial relationships with Alabama communities to promote service, education and development,” Helmich said. “The EcoWild Outdoor Expo not only aligns with our goal of economic expansion in local communities, but also with supporting the land and water conservation programs that impact all of us and our use of these resources for recreation and other purposes. We look forward to working with the EcoWild team to celebrate outdoor activities in our beautiful Gulf Coast region and educate the public on how to keep Alabama and the Gulf Coast wild, accessible and safe.”

visit Eco Wildexpo See more information and ticket purchase links here.