Mission of the Alabama Waterfowl Association

The Ala­bama Waterfowl Association's (AWA) aim is to replenish waterfowl populations. It accomplishes this through various activities, programs and projects aimed at enhancing or maintaining Alabama's resources.

Stand by Your Duck
The AWA doctrine includes the following statement: "Increase the mallard harvest and bird watching opportunity, and the private sector will respond and develop habitat to help all wildlife and our human environment." This doctrine goes hand in hand with the AWA yearly release program in which thousands of Frost Waterfowl Trust mallards are banded and released into Alabama wetlands for harvest [source: AWA].

­According to the AWA, the association acts as a "a state voice" for Alabama waterfowl hunting, concerning the hunting season and the federal migratory bird regulations that affect the state. It networks with other state waterfowl associations, which are all a part of the North American Waterfowl Federation (NAWF), to benefit wetland conservation. It also works with private landowners, farmers, industry, hunting clubs, state and federal agencies -- all to help to conserve and enhance Alabama's watersheds, coastal regions, wetland functions and waterfowl resources [source: AWA].

Jerry Davis, CEO of the AWA, has won many grants that have brought necessary financial support to Alabama's conservation programs. Some of these grants include:

  • $250,000 -- Tennessee Valley Authority "Environmental Initiative Grant" for Phillip's Project at Mud Creek in Jackson County
  • $62,000 -- Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and Department of Transportation Grant for the Recreational Trails Program Sacred Tears Monument at Spring Park in Tuscumbia, Alabama
  • $35,000 -- National Fish and Wildlife Grant for a wetlands project in Marshall County
  • $5,000 -- Legacy Grant Reintroduction of the Bald Cypress Tree into the Tennessee Valley of Alabama [source: AWA]

The AWA is one of many waterfowl associations located across the United States. If you're considering joining the AWA, whether you're a resident of Alabama or not, read on.