Press Release

Status of Alabama’s Wildlife Detailed in New Set of Books

June 15, 2004

Alabama Wildlife, an impressive four-volume set of books, published by The University of Alabama Press, is the result of two years’ research and compilation of information concerning the occurrence and management of Alabama’s many wildlife species. The books provide the foundation for a new and expanded approach to the management of Alabama’s wildlife resources and, when combined with results from other states, will collectively create the first nationwide approach to wildlife conservation.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries sponsored the Second Alabama Nongame Wildlife Conference in July of 2002 using grant monies from federal Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program funds.  The initial objective of the conference was to re-evaluate and update the efforts of Alabama’s First Nongame Wildlife Conference, held in 1983. The objective was met through publication of these significant wildlife volumes.

These books will set the course for much-needed conservation efforts of Alabama’s nongame wildlife and will become invaluable to wildlife scientists, biologists, land managers, private landowners, educators, students, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The first volume, entitled Alabama Wildlife - A Checklist of Vertebrates and Selected Invertebrates: Aquatic Mollusks, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals, is a field guide to all of the vertebrate animals and selected aquatic invertebrates found within the state—over 1,000 species. Each species is described, including scientific and common names, distribution, habitats used and level of conservation concern, complete with color photos of many of the species.

Volume 2, Alabama Wildlife - Imperiled Aquatic Mollusks and Fishes and Volume 3, Alabama Wildlife -Imperiled Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals, focus on the 250 wildlife species of most conservation concern.  Color distribution maps and photos accompany each selected species, with detailed descriptions of the species, their habitat, distribution, life history and ecology, and the basis for status classification.

Volume 4, Alabama Wildlife - Conservation and Management Recommendations for Imperiled Wildlife, discusses general conservation recommendations for protection and management of specific ecosystems, communities, and habitats within Alabama.  Also included are prioritized and detailed conservation recommendations for research and management actions.

Ralph E. Mirarchi, who is the William R. and Fay Ireland Distinguished Professor of Wildlife ScienceEcology and Management in Auburn U’niversity’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, served as senior editor of the books and coordinated the collection of information from experts across Alabama and the Southeast. 

Copies of the attractive four-volume set, Alabama Wildlife, may be ordered by calling 1-800-621-2736 or visiting The University of Alabama Press website at www.uapress.ua.edu. Individual volumes are $20 each; the full set is $75. The books will also be available in most Alabama bookstores. 

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