One of Alabama’s most beloved nature festivals is entering a new era. The John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest, a longtime fall tradition for Gulf Coast birders, will now be hosted by Alabama Audubon, the state’s leading bird conservation nonprofit.

The transition comes as the South Alabama Land Trust (SALT), which launched the festival in 2004, refocuses its mission on land conservation according to a news release. SALT has protected more than 12,000 acres of sensitive habitat across coastal Alabama since its founding in 1990, including creek, river and bay shorelines vital to the region’s wildlife and water quality.

“SALT’s core mission is protecting land,” said SALT's Executive Director Jane Herndon in the release. “As we sharpen our focus on addressing the urgent need to protect land, we searched for the right partner to continue the growth and legacy of BirdFest. Alabama Audubon’s leadership in bird conservation and their connection to the community make them the right fit.”

BirdFest, which honors SALT founder and naturalist John L. Borom, has grown into a marquee ecotourism event. Under SALT’s direction, it featured more than 30 guided birding and nature tours across 20 venues, drawing birders, naturalists and families from across the Southeast. Participants of all ages and experience levels have come to rely on its blend of outdoor excursions, educational seminars and expert-led workshops exploring the region’s rich biodiversity.

Alabama Audubon, founded in 1946, has spent decades connecting people with birds and nature through conservation, education, science and advocacy. The organization expanded its programming to the Gulf Coast in 2017 and has since built strong ties with coastal communities and environmental partners.

“We are excited and honored to accept this responsibility,” said Dr. Scot Duncan, Alabama Audubon Executive Director. “Not only is Coastal BirdFest one of the state’s most anticipated annual nature festivals, but it also has the potential to attract birders from around the world to witness the unique regional birding spectacles coastal Alabama offers.”

Board President Lois Woodward echoed the enthusiasm.

“We are deeply grateful to SALT for their years of hard work and dedication to environmental stewardship along the Gulf Coast and for this opportunity to continue the Coastal BirdFest’s long-standing tradition of connecting people with birds and nature,” she said. “We look forward to working with Coastal BirdFest partners and community sponsors to continue this festival in a way that uplifts local communities, educates the public and highlights the conservation needs of our coast.”
As part of the transition, the festival will move from fall to spring beginning in 2026 to align with the peak of spring migration, when birds return to the Gulf Coast from the tropics. Organizers confirmed there will be no fall BirdFest this year but promised that future events will retain the high-quality programming regular attendees have come to expect.

Additional details, including event dates and ticket information, will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, updates are available at https://alaudubon.org.