Eagle Mania Hits ChumCity!

Get ready to celebrate 40 years of soaring success! Eagle Awareness Weekends are back at Lake Guntersville State Park in January, and it's going to be HUGE. Two folks especially stoked? Linda Reynolds and Renee Raney!

A Legacy of Wings

Linda, the park's OG naturalist, started it all back in '85. And guess who was there? Renee Raney, then a bright-eyed college student from Jacksonville State University! That first event? Life-changing, baby!

Mark Your Calendars!

Eagle Awareness Weekends are set for January 23-25 and January 30-February 1, 2026, at Lake Guntersville.

From Student to Chief Naturalist!

Renee, now Alabama State Parks’ Chief Naturalist, says that first Eagle Awareness Weekend was a major reason she chose her career path. "It was one of the first conservation education programs I engaged with as a university student," she gushes. "I've been involved for 40 years!"

An Alabama Success Story

Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps is giving major props to the staff, naturalists, and volunteers who've kept these weekends thriving. "It’s a great achievement," he says.

Eagle Comeback!

Eagles faced some serious struggles in the past, from human conflict to DDT. But thanks to conservation efforts like the Bald Eagle Protection Act and Alabama's Nongame Wildlife Program, they've made an AMAZING comeback!

Hacking for Eagles?

Mercedes Maddox, a WFF Nongame Biologist, explains how "hacking" (releasing young eagles in specific areas) helped the population rebound. It worked! Now, eagles are chilling in all 67 Alabama counties.

Non-Stop Enthusiasm

Renee says the excitement for Eagle Awareness Weekends is still through the roof. "This year is just as exciting as ever!" The weekends are packed with programs, eagle sightings, and unforgettable experiences. The park's interpretive team, including Park Naturalist Anna Crow and District Naturalist Eric Cline, keeps the magic alive.

A Serendipitous Start

Linda Reynolds' journey to becoming a naturalist began with a snake encounter! She and her husband volunteered at the park and took people to see migratory eagles. It became so popular that it sparked the idea for the first Eagle Awareness Weekend.

One-Day Wonder

That first event drew 500 people and documented 89 eagles!

More Than Just Science

"Eagle Awareness Weekends are extremely special because it’s not just a gathering of scientific minds," Renee says. "It's a gathering of friends and family... You're going to see some of the most extraordinary nature images imaginable."

Early Bird Gets the Eagle!

Don't miss the pre-dawn Early Bird Coffee! "Standing on the edge of a chilly mountain lake, you can behold 75 participants looking up at the gray sky, watching for these eagles... Last year, we saw between 20 and 30 eagles at each of our morning watches!"

Experience the Magic

"Eagle Awareness Weekends are truly special because they offer more than just an event; they’re an experience," says Renee. "It’s a chance to reconnect with nature, create unforgettable memories, make forever friends and witness the power and spirit of America’s most iconic bird."