After an auction for the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center was held on April 17, the site now has a presumptive new owner.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) landed ownership of the property after being the highest, and only, bidder in the auction for the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center located in Spanish Fort, pending approval from Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship. The AWF's bid is estimated to be worth $500,000.

Around two weeks ago, ADCNR's State Lands Division announced an auction for the 70-acre property just off U.S. Highway 98, where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley rivers flow into Mobile Bay. The winning bid includes a lease agreement of 10 years with an option to buy the property at any point during that timeframe.

According to their website, AWF is the oldest and largest nonprofit conservation organization in Alabama, established in 1935. In a statement, the organization said its board of directors has considered operating a facility in South Alabama for years. The facility will be used to further expand conservation education programs and conservation projects, replicating the Alabama Nature Center located in Millbrook on the 5 Rivers property.

"We also know this from our 20 years of experience with the Alabama Nature Center — it is not a monetarily profitable venture," AWF said in a statement. "It is exactly the opposite — it is mission work and requires ongoing financial investment by AWF and donors who share that vision. The same will apply in this case. Our mission is to promote the wise use and responsible stewardship of our wildlife, forests, fish, water, and soils and we enjoy our mission work."

The deal now awaits approval from Blankenship, with a decision expected to happen within the next couple of weeks.