The Mobile-Tensaw Delta in Alabama is a vibrant, ecologically significant area that conservationists are working tirelessly to protect from the threats of development and climate change. This more than 400-square-mile expanse of cypress swamps, marshlands, and rivers is home to an incredible array of aquatic species, making it one of the most important delta ecosystems in the world.

Locals like 77-year-old Lucy Hollings, who has lived in the delta her entire life, understand the value of this unique environment. "I know I live in the most beautiful place in the world," she says, describing the delta as "a piece of heaven."

Conservation efforts in the region focus on acquiring land to prevent harmful development, such as logging, that can lead to increased flooding and the destruction of critical habitats. This spring, The Nature Conservancy purchased 8,000 acres of forested wetland at the top of the delta to prevent it from being logged for wood pellets. "It would’ve been a horrible loss to the system," says Mitchell Reid, director of The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, highlighting the importance of preserving these lands.

However, the delta faces numerous other threats, including pollution from industrial activities and the impact of upstream dams that have altered water flow and blocked fish migration routes. Stronger hurricanes and rising sea levels due to climate change are also causing significant erosion and pushing saltwater further into the delta, threatening its freshwater ecosystems.

"We’re talking about this amazing, amazing place of life," Reid emphasizes, recognizing the urgent need for continued conservation efforts. Protecting the Mobile-Tensaw Delta is not just about preserving its natural beauty, but also about safeguarding the vital ecological functions it performs for the entire region, including the Gulf of Mexico.

For many, the best way to understand the importance of the delta is to experience it firsthand. Jimbo Meador, who has spent his life exploring the delta, believes that bringing people to see its beauty and significance is crucial. "You take people up there that’ve never seen it before and you explain to them how important it is and hopefully it helps," he says.

The ongoing conservation work in the delta is a collaborative effort that involves private landowners, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. By working together, these groups aim to ensure that this irreplaceable ecosystem remains protected for future generations.