The Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) is a statewide nonprofit with the mission to improve and protect Alabama’s coastal environment through cooperation, education and participation. Executive Director Mark Berte shares, “For over thirty-three years, ACF has been addressing Alabama’s environmental challenges by providing valuable education and then inviting people to volunteer their time through hands-on activities.”
For more than a decade, ACF has hosted an annual Sustainability Summit to encourage individuals across the private, public and nonprofit sectors to explore the economic and environmental benefits of adopting sustainable practices. The 12th Annual Sustainability Summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, at the sustainably designed and operated Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.
This year’s theme is “Doing more with less: Simple actions every person, business, nonprofit, school and governmental agency can implement to save money and help the environment.” Attendees will have the opportunity to attend 12 expert-led presentations across four concurrent tracks: K–12 Education, Ecological Restoration, Community and Sustainable Development/Infrastructure. Each session will include actionable takeaways for immediate implementation.
In addition to environmental education, ACF leads the Share the Beach sea turtle conservation program, the Alabama Oyster Shell Recycling Program, and the effort to protect Alabama’s Underwater Forest through the National Marine Sanctuary System.
The registration fee ($95 general public, $75 ACF members, $40 students) includes professional development, breakfast, lunch and an optional bicycle tour of the new Gulf Coast Eco Center.
Location: Lodge at Gulf State Park located at 21196 East Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores. Registration details, hotel discounts, and the full schedule are available at JoinACF.org.
