Alliance aims to spur ecotourism, interest in Alabama delta

MOBILE, Ala. – Several people and groups are joining forces to promote south Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and its natural resources.

The formation of the Alabama Delta Alliance was announced at a news conference this week.

The alliance aims to support the region and attract tourism.

“The delta is a hugely untapped resource for ecotourism,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said.

The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is home to more than 600 species of fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. With habitats that include huge swaths of swamps, marshes and wetlands, it’s a maze of tributary creeks, rivers, streams and bayous.

The Alabama Delta Alliance calls it one of the nation’s largest deltas, and one of the world’s most bio-diverse bodies of water.

“The Alabama Delta Alliance is a group that shares a deep appreciation for the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and the many benefits it offers the people of this state,” said Britton Bonner, chairman of the board of the Coastal Alabama Partnership.

“Our goal is to build a robust, diverse coalition and effort focused solely on promoting the MTRD region — now and in the future,” Bonner added.

The alliance also announced a new website about the region at alabamadelta.com .