FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Thanks to another successful event, the John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest has once again made a sizable donation toward the protection of bird and wildlife habitat land on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Using combined proceeds from the 2007 and 2008 events, BirdFest has donated $10,000 to Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries Inc. and $10,000 to Weeks Bay Foundation. Both organizations will use the donation as matching funds for larger grants for land acquisition.

“Alabama is on the TransGulf Migration Flyway, which means that every spring and fall, millions of birds pass through here on their way to and from winter habitats in Central and South America. It’s vital that we protect natural habitat along the coast so that the birds have a place to rest and eat,” said BirdFest chairman John Borom. “As we all know, land on the coast is expensive, so we are happy that we can do a part toward helping these organizations purchase land that will be protected habitat.”

Since 2004, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest has attracted visitors from 17 states and Canada and has raised more than $60,000 for the protection of bird and wildlife habitat in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

BirdFest proceeds come from event fees, merchandise sales, and donations from sponsors and supporters. In 2008, these included Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lands Division; 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Alabama Power, The Forum, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Faulkner State Community College, Degussa/Evonik, ConocoPhillips, Baldwin County Commission, Mobile County Commission, Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust, Holiday Inn Express-Fairhope, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Talking Phone Book, City of Fairhope, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, and Gulf Shores Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Organizers are already making plans for the sixth annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest, set for Oct. 15-18, 2009.