Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps (far left) and Deputy Director Chad Davis (far right) congratulate Eagle Award winners at Lake Guntersville State Park. The winners, pictured from left between Capps and Davis, are Chris Stanley, Jonathan Farr, Cody Farr, and Finley Rittenberry (in front).
Josh Bean | Alabama State Parks photo
Alabama State Parks honors 2026 Eagle Award winners during Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. The Eagle Awards, sponsored by the Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), honor individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions that support Alabama State Parks.
"We are incredibly humbled by the many volunteers, community partners, and elected officials who help our Alabama State Parks succeed," said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. "Their contributions help our State Parks attract millions of people every year and enrich the lives of Alabamians throughout the state. I'm so appreciative of these winners because their work supports outdoor recreation and tourism. We are eternally grateful for their hard work and dedication."
Meet the 2026 Eagle Award Winners:
Jonathan Farr and Cody Farr, Walt Farr Native American Relic Museum (Park Partner): The grandsons of Walt Farr are co-owners of the Walt Farr Native American Museum, formerly located within Cheaha State Park. The museum housed a remarkable collection of hundreds of Native American artifacts, including arrowheads, drills, and pottery, offering visitors a meaningful connection to Alabama's indigenous cultural history. This 15-year partnership with Alabama State Parks has inspired our park education team to develop a virtual exhibit that will continue educating visitors and students while honoring the enduring legacy of Walt Farr.
Tim King, The Caring Foundation of BCBS AL (Park Partner): King and his team at The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama have demonstrated exceptional support for the Alabama State Parks system through education and community engagement initiatives. Their commitment to Alabama State Parks' mission has expanded access, strengthened health and educational equity, and helped cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. This support has removed barriers for schools statewide, enabling high-quality, standards-aligned field trips and Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) approved teacher workshops.
Chris Stanley, Venture Out Supply (Community Partner): Stanley and his team consistently demonstrate a commitment to the accessibility, promotion, and stewardship of Lake Guntersville State Park. They improve park resources through hands-on trail work, helping ensure safe, sustainable mountain biking trails for all users, and their actions reflect outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the state park's mission.
Beth Girard (Volunteer in the Parks): Girard is a passionate nature enthusiast and environmental educator who has helped create many exciting programs for Monte Sano State Park, including a new series of programs targeted for homeschoolers, and the success of the Junior Herpetologist Camp. She has assisted with Master Naturalist courses and Arthropod Adventure classes, and has conducted a program for a large field-trip group visiting the park. Beth continues to give hundreds of hours of her time selflessly to help promote and educate our park visitors.
Finley Rittenberry (Youth): Rittenberry embodies everything a true outdoorsman should be. His favorite outdoor activity is fishing at Roland Cooper State Park, and he is lovingly referred to as "Fishin' Fin." He spends countless hours and days participating in events held in the park outside school hours, highlighting the park by fishing, capturing gorgeous landscape photos, and sharing them with locals. He is currently working his way through his Junior Ranger Guidebook.
Graham Sisson (Government Official): Served the State of Alabama for 28 years in a variety of leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD), Deputy Attorney General, State Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, and Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services liaison to the State Rehabilitation Council. Through his work with the Alabama Trails Commission, he helped ensure outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities across Alabama are accessible to all. Graham also reviewed State Park construction plans to confirm code compliance and served as a consultant throughout the state park system, providing staff training on accessibility and compliance standards.
Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps would like to thank each award winner for their critical contributions to the success of the entire State Parks Division. "The Eagle Award winners' accomplishments are truly inspiring," Capps said. "We're so fortunate that we have so many partners who work so hard to help our State Parks succeed. This is one way we can pause and thank them for all they have done."
Anyone interested in volunteering or assisting the State Parks System can visit alapark.com or contact an individual park. To learn more about the Alabama State Parks Foundation or how to make an individual or corporate donation, visit asparksfoundation.org. Donations can be earmarked for individual projects or contributed to the Foundation's overall efforts to improve and sustain the Alabama State Parks System.
