GULF STATE PARK - A vision of the future took place on the First Annual Coastal Conservation Conference.

Among issues discussed were presdervation ofx natural resources and the balance between recreational and commercial development.

Bay Title Foundation is the sponsor of the conference, which began at the new Gulf State Park Pavilion with a luncheon for invited guests and a talk by Hugh S. Branyon, southwest district superintendent for the Alabama State Parks.

The hiking/biking trail that stretches from city road 161 to Lake Shelby that will be completed in near future is named in his honor. 

The group then boarded “Annie Girl” with Capt. Tim Ivey at the wheel for a tour of the Islands of Perdido and an excursion into the main channel for a “feel” of the Gulf on a breezy day. 

“Annie Girl” was steered in the designated channels protecting the eco-system. The group was familiarized with Bird, Walker and Robinson islands. Binoculars and conversation disclosed the many days and hours of work to enhance vegetation and wildlife on these treasured islands.

Aside conversations mentioned the encouraging response from residents to a survey about recycling. Tracy Holiday of the Orange Beach City Council and Ken Grimes, Orange Beach special projects director, said that the survey had netted over 600 positive responses. This fit into the atmosphere of the coastal concerns.

A month ago City Administrator Jeff Moon had contracted with a salvage company to remove tourist residues of tents, chairs and other recyclables from the beaches. This was primarily a warm weather problem solved yet the city continues to devise methods of improving environment and ecology. 

On a sad note, Tracy Holiday mentioned the disorientation of turtle hatchlings in a rain storm which drew them into the beach road rather than to the gulf. Motorists killed a great number of them. The Island is very attentive to the development of the turtle population both from the side of nature and the practical role of the turtles in eating jellyfish which can put an end to pleasant swims. 

At  5 p.m. the eco-cruise joined the coastal management group headed up by Phillip West, the State Park group with Hugh S. Branyon, the Convention and Visitors Bureau with President/CEO Herb Malone, City Council with Moon, and a host of eco-minded citizens.

Symbolic tree-planting at the Orange Beach Sportsplex was the end of the beginning, and the beginning of a new campaign for growth of nature and ecology in a community so heavily beset by commercial and residential growth and development. As Dianna Wells of Bay Title said, “This trail is my retreat, my world of renewal after the rigors of daily work. This trail can serve many more people not yet participating.”