Kayaking at Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, Atmore, AL. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
As we honor Native American History Month this November, the Poarch Creek Indians are proud to spotlight our ongoing efforts to preserve the environment through recycling and conservation. Our connection to the land runs deep—our ancestors have lived on and around this land for hundreds of years, using it not only for survival but for traditions that continue to shape who we are today. In our journey as the only federally recognized Tribe in Alabama, we have not only fought for sovereignty but have embraced the responsibility that comes with it: to protect, preserve, and sustain the environment for future generations.
Recycling and Conservation: The Continuation of Stewardship
In the Poarch Creek tradition, stewardship of the land has always been a core value. It is not only about what the land provides for us but also how we care for it in return. This commitment is evident in our recycling and conservation initiatives, which reflect our deep respect for the earth.
Earlier this year, we received an EPA Solid Waste Grant, which has enabled us to strengthen our recycling efforts across the community. “Through this grant, we are able to conduct a recycling feasibility and sustainability study to make improvements needed, provide education and outreach, as well as increase community recycling by providing more community recycling containers,” said Kristi Weatherford, Poarch Creek Indians Director of Environmental Programs.
Workers at Poarch Creek Indians Recycling Center. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
Recycling is about more than reducing waste—it’s about respecting the earth by minimizing our environmental footprint. “Recycling for the Poarch Creek Indians is not just about collecting and separating material. It is about building a sustainable community where every action contributes to a healthier environment and brighter future for our future generations,” said Weatherford. Every recycled item is a step toward preserving the land that has sustained us for generations.
Poarch Creek Indians Recycling Center. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
Community Partnerships
Our commitment to environmental preservation extends beyond recycling, and also involves partnerships with other organizations committed to environmental stewardship. As part of an ongoing partnership with Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State), the Poarch Creek Indians proudly sponsored the Alabama Coastal Cleanup, a critical annual event that brought together volunteers to remove litter from Alabama’s coastal waters and beaches. The Poarch Creek Indians are dedicated to this program and have served multiple years helping clean up litter in Alabama’s streets, streams and coastlines. In addition to sponsoring the event, the Poarch Creek Indians youth leadership club known as the Keystone Club, has volunteered to help “Get the Trash out of the Splash ” of Alabama’s coastal waterways and beaches each year. “Since 2017 we have partnered with ALPALS and the Alabama Coastal Cleanup project. Continuing to participate in this event has provided a great learning experience for our youth and a great opportunity to earn community service hours,” said Donna Koehrsen, Manager of Youth Development for the Poarch Creek Indians. “The youth were so proud to clean up the beaches after the first year, that they could not wait to do it again. It is such a great cause and has turned out to be one of the Keystone Club’s favorite events,” said Koehrsen.
The cleanup is part of a broader effort to protect not just our immediate surroundings but the natural beauty of the entire state of Alabama.
Poarch Creek Indians youth leadership “Keystone Club” volunteering at coastal cleanup event. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
A Future Rooted in Responsibility
Our environmental efforts are deeply rooted in our history and cultural traditions. For generations, the land has provided for our people, and maintaining its health and vitality is central to our way of life. In the past, our ancestors gathered around and near waterways and bodies of water like the baptismal hole located on the reservation. Today, the area is now part of Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, and continues to serve as a place where we can swim, hike, play, and baptize our loved ones—ensuring that these traditions live on.
A Baptism in the natural world: Dr. Robert Macy, Barbara Ann Gibson, unknown child, Claudie Gibson, and Ruby Lee Gibson. Photo courtesy of PCI. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
The preservation of Magnolia Branch is not just about protecting a piece of land—it’s about preserving a way of life. Clean, well-maintained spaces like this ensure that our families, neighbors, and future generations can enjoy the land just as our ancestors did.
Boy fishing at Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, Atmore, AL. (Poarch Creek Indians/Contributed)
As we look toward the future, the Poarch Creek Indians remain dedicated to balancing modern progress with the timeless wisdom of our ancestors: to respect the earth, to protect what sustains us, and to ensure that our natural world thrives for generations to come.