Three local residents were among the winners of the sixth annual Eagle Awards.

The Eagle Award is sponsored by the State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The award is presented annually to people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in support of the Alabama State Parks.

Bryan Eslava and Michael Sumlin are co-owners of Down Under Dive Shop in Gulf Shores. The pair won the Eagle Award in the Community Partner category for their work with Gulf State Park. Through the partnership with the park, Eslava and Sumlin worked to clean debris from under and around the iconic Gulf State Park Pier. This work keeps the area environmentally safe for the many species of aquatic life that visits the pier, as well as the park's guests.

Oliver Caver was selected as the Youth Eagle Award winner.
The "Little Man with a Big Mission," has made his mark on the Gulf Coast with his efforts to clean up the coast and encourage others to help. The 6-year-old was instrumental in the development of Clean Horizons with his dad, Ryan Caver. With his love for nature and his desire to keep the beaches safe, clean and beautiful, he and his family wrote and published a book called "Litter, Litter, Please Come Here." With each book sold, Caver will pick up a pound of trash.

Caver has hosted a trash rodeo and has helped with Gulf State Park's Dive for Debris, Earth Day Cleanup and the Earth Day Celebration. It is his mission to inspire younger generations and their families to reduce their own plastic consumption while promoting quality family time spent outdoors.

When asked what it means to receive the award, Caver said, "It's super cool! I hope that other kids will see me protecting our beach and join in on the fun."

Caver's parents said, "It brings us great pride knowing that our son is honored for going something he loves and cares about. It is amazing to know that such a little guy can have such an amazing impact and spread the love our beach to kids all over our great state."

In total, nine Eagle Awards were presented at a special luncheon at Lake Guntersville State Park. The seven other winners and their hometowns are:
Eufaula Mayor Jack Tibbs Jr. (Elected Official)

State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, of Rainsville (Elected Official)
Huntsville Area Mountain Bike Riders (Park Partner)
Mirandi Watson and Monica Fells, Collinsville, with Girls Who Hike Alabama (Park Partner)
Billy Glenn Rushing American Legion Post 90 in Atmore (Park Partner)
Robert Black, of Huntsville (Volunteer in Parks)
Shawn Donahoo, of Somerville (Volunteer in Parks)

"Our slogan is 'Partners Pay the Way,' and these Eagle Award winners are true partners in every sense of the work. They have worked tirelessly to make their favorite parks better for all of us," said State Parks Director Greg Lein. "In some cases, they provided the physical labor that takes a project from dream to reality. These winners clearly have made our parks a better and more enjoyable place to visit. It's our honor and privilege to thank and honor them."