It’s Official! We have named Andrew Saunders Poet Laurette for Scenic 98 Coastal. Thanks, Andrew for your wonderful contributions to our newsletter, We look forward to many more.

If you don’t already know Andrew, he built Saunders Yachtworks with two locations, first in Orange Beach for smaller boats, and then a facility for yachts up to 120 feet on the Intercoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. They do amazing work including mechanical, electrical, and painting up to total refurbishing. In addition to the fantastic work Saunders Yachtworks does, Andrew has made it a priority to go above and beyond regarding being environmentally friendly and proactive in how the work is performed. Saunders Yachtworks has received many awards and recognitions for its efforts.

Andrew walks the walk. He is actively involved in several area conservation organizations including serving as former State Board Chair for the Alabama chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Under his leadership and others, The Alabama Nature Conservancy has raised private funds to purchase and protect many of the State’s most threatened natural preserves. Many of these conservation efforts are in the Scenic 98 Coastal communities, and include Bayou La Batre, Bon Secure, Mobile Bay, and the Perdido River watershed, to name a few.

I asked Andrew which conservation group has the greatest impact on preserving our area? Is there a grand blueprint for protecting the natural resource treasures that make up the Scenic 98 Coastal area? His response was so enlightening. He said, “They are all important because each organization attracts different groups of people that care about our natural resources. The more people you have involved, the greater impact we will all have.” Message delivered; message received!

Andrew recently invited a small group of friends to join him on a cruise up the Perdido River. It was a beautiful day on a specular 47’ trawler with friends, good food and drink, and stunning scenery. As we meandered up the Perdido River, which divides Alabama and Florida, to a refreshing swimming hole near Seminole Landing, I was reminded how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful place with so much to offer.

Thanks, Andrew, for all you do. More from Andrew soon. Enjoy the photo tour from Orange Beach Marina to Seminole Landing and back.

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