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Alabama Wildlife Federation members and AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center staff join for a ribbon cutting and grand opening of the center on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. — The new Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center, formerly the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, is now greatly expanded, improved + open to visitors! (Mobile Bay Now)

At 10 o’clock this morning, Tuesday, April 21, a new chapter began for the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Bay and everyone who loves it: the grand opening of the Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center in Spanish Fort.

All are invited to enjoy the newly enriched experience, and admission is FREE 🤩 through Saturday, May 2!

Alabama Wildlife Federation Executive Director Tim Gothard welcomed everyone and introduced several stakeholders, including AWF President Tim Wood, Director Emeritus Angus Cooper III and former Mobile mayor Sandy Stimpson. They were among several individuals and families recognized for their vision and commitment to making the new center possible. AWF DBCC Director Scott Bannon then introduced his team and shared about their roles.

The grand opening marked the official transformation of the former Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, which closed in August 2025 as the Alabama Wildlife Federation began to reimagine, renovate and expand the facility.

Read on for what you can expect and how to plan your visit.

The staff of the Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center, formerly known as the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, on the front deck of the Delta Hall in Spanish Fort, Alabama — The Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center is officially open for visitors. (Mobile Bay Now)

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What to expect + how to go

Two women walk along the two miles of trails at the AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama, formerly known as the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center — Welcome to the new Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center! (Mobile Bay Now)

Two women read an interpretive display next to the kayak launch at the AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama, formerly known as the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center — Welcome to the new Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center! (Mobile Bay Now)

The center sits where the coastal pine forests meet the Blakeley River and Mobile Bay. If you enjoy birding, viewing turtles, alligators and other wildlife, outdoor photography, walking along wooded trails and scenic delta water views, this is the place for you!

Here’s what to see + do:

Learn in the Discovery Hall + theater: 3,000 sq. ft. of interactive features (coming soon) + film screenings Mon.-Sat.
Stroll the trails: Two miles of easy, scenic wooded + waterside trails, with improved surfaces for wheelchairs + walkers
Go kayaking: A modern launch is handicap accessible + an adjacent dock
Shops for gifts: New gift shop with fun, nature-themed items, drinks + snacks
Book a space: Many indoor + outdoor spaces for events, including a beautifully remodeled 4,000 sq. ft. conference center with modern tech, soaring ceilings + lots of glass

📍Get Directions: 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
🕐 When: Mon.–Sat., 9AM–4PM
🎟️ How much: Admission is $5 per person ($20 max per family) + season + club passes

Expanding conservation education

An AWF Delta & Bay Conservation team member demonstrates to a young girl how to measure her wingspan against a display showing the wingspan of large birds in Alabama — Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center Director of Camps and Public Programs Brayden Paulk shares a “What’s Your Wingspan” interactive display with local schoolchildren. (Mobile Bay Now)

The state’s oldest and largest citizens’ non-profit conservation organization, Alabama Wildlife Federation promotes the conservation, wise use and responsible stewardship of our wildlife and related natural resources to ensure a high quality of life for present and future generations of Alabamians.

A primary focus continues to be youth education, fully embodied in its Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook, which has welcomed over 500,000 visitors since opening in 2007.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center now brings that mission South.

At the new AWF DBCC, field trips have been underway, and some super cool Expedition Delta summer day camps kick off in June.

📆 Book a field trip
🎒Register for a summer camp

Alabama Wildlife Federation at the helm

The staff of the AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center, formerly known as the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, on a wooden boardwalk at the center prior to its grand opening in April 2026 — The Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center team, from left: Naturalist Grace Waldrip, Director of Camps and Public Programs Brayden Paulk, Director Scott Bannon, Program Assistant Rebecca Perdue, Maintenance Supervisor Sean Lindell, Administrative Coordinator Ashley Richardson, Director of School Programs Kate Irwin and Program Assistant Sullivan Smith (Mobile Bay Now)

Locals paid close attention when the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources put the property up for lease-purchase in March 2025. AWF was the successful bidder that April, and Gov. Kay Ivey signed the agreement in June.

“When AWF shared our interest in pursuing Five Rivers to expand our conservation education programs, it was a big relief, and the positive feedback was tremendous. AWF has had a longstanding connection to this region and its people that goes back to our founding, and expanding our presence here has been a long time coming.”
_{AWF Executive Director Tim Gothard}

At the grand opening, lifelong Mobilian, business leader and AWF Director Emeritus Angus R. Cooper III of Mobile offered perspectives from over the past 15 years as the organization considered its expansion south. He shared that he’s even more excited about the future.

“The best is to come with the vision for this place, and it’ll grow. Mobile is a special place, and the resources we have here are phenomenal. Being able to educate children and a few of us adults about how lucky they are to be in this region with what we have, it’s really a great day.”
_{AWF Past President & Director Emeritus Angus R. Cooper III}

Alabama Wildlife Federation + Mobile Bay

Kids from Stonebridge Elementary School watch an airboat while on a field trip to the AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center, formerly known as the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, in April 2026 prior to grand opening — Stonebridge Elementary School students on a field trip to the center enjoyed a special visit from an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol Division airboat. (Mobile Bay Now)

⭐️ 1935: AWF was founded, notably with Mobilian Fred T. Stimpson among the first board leaders
🐾 1996: AWF launches black bear conservation efforts in the upper Delta
🐊 1999: AWF partners with the Forever Wild Land Trust and ADCNR to buy the 12,000-acre Clearwater Tract—part of a larger effort to secure nearly 50,000 contiguous acres in the Delta region
🪸 20+ years: AWF leads artificial reef development along the Alabama Gulf Coast + in Mobile Bay, where it also works to restore relic oyster reefs
👀 2018: AWF begins the search to expand its presence + programming in the region
🤗 2026: The AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center opens

Grand opening coverage of the Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center

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Ready to pay a visit and see all that’s new? Visit alabamawildlife.org for more details.

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OPEN NOW! See the new Alabama Wildlife Federation Delta & Bay Conservation Center in Spanish Fort