Representatives of the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) and The Westervelt Company unveiled “Westervelt Forest” with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. The seventy-acre working forest and wildlife demonstration area, located at AWF State Headquarters in Millbrook, Alabama, will be viewable to the 50,000+ annual visitors to AWF’s State Headquarters and Alabama Nature Center facility.
A former family farm and forest, AWF acquired the property in 2019 with the help of The Westervelt Company and other donors who value good land stewardship. The shared goal for the property is rehabilitation of the forest and wildlife habitat, documenting the rehabilitation story, and utilizing the property for educational programs for landowners, natural resource professionals, students, and the general public. To date, non-native invasive grasses and trees have been treated and longleaf pine, loblolly pine, and hardwood trees have been planted. Prescribed burning, establishing native warm season grass and wildflower habitat, and timber stand improvement practices in existing pine and mixed pine-hardwood stands are planned for 2023.
“Westervelt Forest is a unique location and opportunity to share exactly what AWF’s Land Stewardship Biologists have been doing for the last 20 years to assist private landowners across Alabama. We help them identify and put-into-practice forest and wildlife management activities that give rise to quality wildlife habitat, productive forests that yield products people use every day, scenic beauty, and clean water. We look forward to sharing Westervelt Forest with youth and school groups that visit our Alabama Nature Center facility, with landowners looking to learn more about practices they can employ on their properties, and helping advance the skills and knowledge of natural resource professionals.”, stated Tim L. Gothard, AWF Executive Director.
“The Westervelt Company is both excited and proud to partner with AWF to make Westervelt Forest a reality. After hearing about this opportunity, it was clear to me that this project represents exactly what The Westervelt Company is all about.”, stated Brian Luoma, President & CEO with The Westervelt Company.
Cade Warner, incoming COO with The Westervelt Company shared, “The Westervelt Company is a land stewardship organization with a long history in Alabama. Westervelt Forest is a great way for us to share that commitment to land stewardship with youth and adults today and the generations that follow.”
The Westervelt Company, a privately held company headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was founded in 1884 and is currently under the fourth generation of family leadership. Westervelt is an industry leader in land management, wood products manufacturing and environmental mitigation. The company is recognized for excellence in sustainable forest management, responsibly sourced forest products and services, natural resource stewardship and ecosystem conservation. With more than half a million acres of land under Westervelt management, Westervelt’s diverse businesses all work together to ensure the sustainable stewardship of natural resources today, tomorrow and for many generations to come.
The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity. To learn more about Alabama Wildlife Federation, including membership details, programs and projects, contact AWF at 1-800-822-WILD or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.
