Michael Yancey I am honored to be part of Wild Alabama. I am an attorney who spends too much time focused on the un-wild side of Alabama and it’s especially nice to have a new opportunity to change that. In some respects I am very new to this. I have been a city dweller for most of my adult life and have yet to participate with the volunteers who have for years been doing the good work of protecting and promoting Alabama’s wild spaces. I look forward to finally doing my part. In other respects, the Sipsey Wilderness has held my heart since I first went there in the early eighties during high school for my first ‘real’ camping experience--thanks to a great friend with an adventurous spirit and who knew a lot more than I did. For five days and four nights we hiked and camped under the hemlocks, hugged that really big tree, didn’t haven’t a flash light after our first night and woke one morning covered in snow. It was transformative. There in the Sipsey I truly learned a little bit about what it is to be alive. It was a gift of the wilderness and all those who had worked to protect it. I am happy to finally join their ranks and I very much look forward to meeting lots of new friends on the trails and working together to protect the wonderful wild of Alabama.

Kevin England has been a life long resident of Lawrence County spending a great deal of time exploring the wilds of the Bankhead National Forest. As a trained Botanist, he has collected and identified over 12,500 species of flora. His thesis research was entitled "The Vascular Flora of Marengo, County Alabama". He has led hikes introducing and inspiring many people to learn about the biodiversity of our great state. He is married and has two adult children. His hobbies include botanizing in Alabama, golf, hiking and herbarium curation.

Coty Alred Nine years ago I was just a ski-bum in Colorado where my love and respect for Wilderness grew. Upon returning home to Alabama to start a family, we chose to lay our heads to rest in Moulton in the beautiful foothills of the Bankhead National Forest.. Lucky for us, Wild South/Alabama was our neighbor. They have helped me keep the glow of a western sunset alive in my heart through their activism and the education of my family and so many others about the history of these amazing mountains.

. .

Saturynn Grace is currently a Systems Safety Engineer for The Boeing Company in Huntsville, AL. She is a native of Jasper, AL and graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. In her free time, Saturynn enjoys visiting parks and museums with her family.

Chuck's career began upon graduating from Mississippi State University in 1987. As an Air Force "Brat", he has lived all over the country but calls Selma, Alabama home. His enthusiasm and passion for planning started in his mid-teens. Planning, design and landscape architecture is what he most enjoys doing and he knows that he is doing what he was intended to do. Chuck has extensive experience with leading firms in Dallas, TX, Atlanta, GA and Birmingham before founding Kelly Landscape Architects in 2010. Over his career, he has had the opportunity to work in 17 states as the prime consultant or through collaborations. Chuck is involved in 'Your Town' which is a great opportunity to work with community leaders from all over the state to understand why having a vision for your hometown is so important and how easily it can be accomplished. As a firm, KLA offers a full of design services in land planning, landscape architecture, site planning and environmental graphics. Past projects have been recognized and received various awards, some nominated and selected by peers and/ or civic organizations. Over the years, a number of articles have featured projects that Kelly served as a principal on including such publications as Southern Living, Portico, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Landscape Architecture Specifier, Alabama Business Journal and Birmingham Home & Garden. Chuck says, “I enjoy being engaged in the middle of the planning/design process for projects, big or small, that work towards and reflect people's objectives to see something realized one day.”

Vincent Lee is currently working as a software developer in Birmingham. He spends many weekends at Oak Mountain State Park, Cheaha State Park and generally along the Alabama Pinhoti Trail in the past several years. He even visits trails and parks in our neighboring states, mainly North GA, and TN. Through these adventures, he learned about Wild Alabama and its mission. He enjoys spending his free time in the woods, and hopes to help preserve the wild places in Alabama.

David Lyons grew up in Northwest England and spent the last three decades in the Southeast United States. As a life-long hiker, he is passionate about spending time in the wilderness and using the wilderness as a place of transformation. David integrates his work as a leadership and organizational development facilitator and his ministry training to create unique experiences for spiritual growth. David’s background includes graduate education in Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Adult Learning, Instructional Design, and Theology. David has a master’s degree from Birmingham Theological Seminary and is a graduate of Dubuque University Theological Seminary’s Leadership Program. David is a Board-Certified Executive Coach, Wilderness Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Level II Trainer. As part of giving back to the trails, David began volunteering with Wild Alabama on trail maintenance projects. This led David to serve as a Forest Ambassador and Volunteer Wilderness Ranger. David joined Wild Alabama in 2023 as the Interim Stewardship Coordinator for the Talladega National Forest until the position was permanently filled. David serves as volunteer Chaplain for the Alabama Pinhoti Trail.

Timothy Michael Joe is a self taught artist, engineer and instructor from the rural southern town of Greensboro, Alabama. His love of art started at the age four coloring on paper bags form the grocery store. Growing up in small town there were not any art instructors available. Over the years, Timothy produced artwork for galleries and commissioned work. He creates art based on themes associated southern rural culture concerning God, His creation, and heritage. He enjoys using his art to educate, uplift, and encourage. He teaches nature journaling in gouaches and landscape art in soft pastels online and in person.

.

Growing up hiking and camping with her parents throughout the Southeast, Leah developed a strong connection to nature that has only deepened over time. Whether it’s backpacking, kayaking, or exploring the Sipsey Wilderness, she finds any excuse to be outside. A Wild Alabama volunteer since 2017, she’s passionate about protecting the Bankhead National Forest and introducing others to its magic in responsible and sustainable ways. She’s a certified Sawyer, Leave No Trace Instructor, and First Aid/CPR provider--and always ready for the next trail adventure. When she’s not in the woods, Leah’s in the classroom, encouraging students to grow as thinkers and writers in engaging classes where learning and the natural world often meet. With an M.A. in English and over 20 years in higher education, she has taught at the University of Montevallo and currently teaches at Calhoun Community College. Leah lives with her husband, ten-year-old daughter, two dogs, and three cats on 20 acres of peaceful, wooded land near Huntsville, where muddy boots, campfires, and days spent outdoors are just part of everyday life.