At Wild South, our first concern is always the well-being and safety of our volunteers, participants and staff, both in and out of the forests in which we work. We share a common concern over the recent spread of the coronavirus and want to assure you that we are implementing precautions and taking the appropriate measures to minimize the risk of contraction of COVID-19.  We are vigilantly monitoring the situation.  Accordingly, all scheduled public and volunteer events have been suspended and most will be rescheduled.  Wild South staff continues to work and we are available via e-mail:

In Alabama, janice@wildsouth.org

In North Carolina, halley@wildsouth.org

We understand the health benefits of nature and the desire to continue to go outside. Even while outside, we do suggest following social distancing (six feet apart) and sanitation guidelines established by the CDC and those recently released by Leave No Trace:  Recommendations for Getting Outside Amid COVID19.

Under usual circumstances, Wild South offers regular opportunities for people of all ages to get outside onto public lands and we invite you to join us when the threat of this new virus diminishes and we can get back to our regular schedule which, in Alabama, includes:

  • Guided hikes in the Bankhead National Forest the first and last Saturdays of every month, year round.
  • Wild Wednesday nature hikes for kids and families, late June through early August.
  • Helping Hands volunteer workdays in the Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness the third Saturday of every month.
  • Field trips and service projects for schools and groups.
  • Training for volunteer Wilderness Rangers in Sipsey, Cheaha and Dugger Mountain Wilderness areas.
  • And more!

In the meantime, Wild South staff is cooking up inventive ways to stay connected to you and our wildest places, so watch your inbox, our website and the Wild South Facebook page.

If the restructuring of everyday life has put a little extra time in your hands, you may want to catch up on our podcast series, The Fight for Alabama’s Last Wild Places.  Listen HERE.

For more information or to get on our e-mail list, please contact Janice Barrett at janice@wildsouth.org.