SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Hikers, outdoors lovers and enthusiasts from around the country will converge on south Alabama March 6-7, for the 7th Annual Alabama Hiking Conference. The event will be held at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort.

Over the past seven years the conference has become on of the largest gatherings of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in the southeast.

According to organizers, this year’s event will have more activities, presentations and hands-on demonstrations than ever before.

The conference will feature speakers on a wide range of topics including history, wildlife, hiking gear, destinations and tips.

Scheduled speakers include  meteorologist Brian Peters talking about hiking and the weather, Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Larry Alexander, the U.S. Forest Service, naturalist John Hoomes (history through fossils) and many more.

Attendees can participate in hands-on demonstrations of hiking gear; learn orienteering with map and compass; and learn Dutch oven cooking.

There will be many activities throughout the weekend including hikes at Blakeley Historic State Park (the site of the last major battle of the Civil War), tours of the delta, a chance to try your hand at geo-caching, and for the kids, several nature hikes.

A feature has been added to the event this year: the Outdoor Writer’s Roundtable. According to the conference’s vice president of publicity, Joe Cuhaj, the event is sparking an interest among not only outdoors enthusiasts but writers as well.

The complete list of speakers and presentations will be released shortly. Registration information and conference information can be found online at www.hikealabama.org/conference.html.

For more information contact conference organizer Marie Arnott at 251-391-8942 or by e-mail at mkarnott@aol.com.

For more information about the conference visit www.hikealabama.org.

For conference schedules, information, and registration visit www.hikealabama.org/conference.html.