FAIRHOPE — The South Alabama Land Trust's 16th annual Bald Eagle Bash drew a crowd of conservation supporters April 25, blending food, music and environmental stewardship at the Weeks Bay Reserve Tonsmeire Resource Center.

The annual event, known as a "Party for Preservation," serves as its largest fundraiser and an opportunity to connect with the community. Proceeds support the nonprofit organization's mission to protect coastal Alabama's land, wetlands and wildlife habitats.

"The Bald Eagle Bash is where conservation, community and celebration come together," said Jane Herndon, SALT's executive director. "It's a blast — an evening of amazing food, music and camaraderie, all while supporting SALT's vital work to protect our region's natural lands before they're gone forever."

Now in its 16th year, the Bash has grown from a small gathering into a widely anticipated event. Ronnie Herndon, a SALT board member, said it was originally created not only to raise money but also to increase awareness of the organization.

"Because our land isn't publicly accessible, we needed a way to put a public face on what we do," she said.

That outreach remains central to the event's purpose. SALT focuses on preserving land from development, particularly environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, which play a critical role in water quality and wildlife habitats.

Over time, the Bash has expanded in both size and quality, attracting local restaurants, breweries and musicians. Fresh Gulf shrimp was served, with organizers sourcing it locally and partnering with chefs to prepare a variety of dishes. Options for guests with dietary restrictions, including non-seafood items and desserts, were also available.

"The quality of everything has improved — the food, the drinks, the music," Ronnie Herndon said. "As you deliver a good event, people hear about it and want to be part of it."

The event also served as an entry point for newcomers to learn about SALT's work. Attendees included longtime residents and people new to the area, many of whom were introduced to the organization for the first time.

Herndon described SALT's mission as protecting land "forever so it's not developed," while still supporting responsible growth.

Ultimately, organizers say the event is about more than a single evening.

"This is about protecting the place we live," she said. "If it's not protected, it's not going to be here for future generations."

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.