Demopolis will host a workshop on Tuesday, July 16 at the Higher Education Center to provide outdoor business ideas and information about earning extra income for owners of hunting and fishing lodges, timberland and agricultural and recreational land during the seasons of downtime.

Hunting leases, fee fishing and agritourism ventures (horseback riding, birding, wildlife watching and nature trails) are among the topics to be covered in the Natural Resource Enterprises workshops, which are focused on Alabama’s Black Belt region.

There will be a second workshop on July 18 at the Alfa Headquarters’ auditorium in Montgomery.

On hand will be legal experts, wildlife habitat specialists, outdoor business owners, accountants and marketing experts.

They will discuss and answer questions about diversifying recreational businesses, product services, and liability and safety concerns.

There will also be discussions on building relationships and communicating with clients, including deciphering client satisfaction.

Spending on outdoor recreation such as hunting and fishing is a critical part of Alabama’s economy, and the Black Belt region is home to much of that activity.

Hunting and fishing in the Black Belt have an annual economic impact of nearly $1 billion and creates 11,000 jobs. That makes the Black Belt’s land and natural resources the region’s primary economic development tool.

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is sponsoring the Natural Resource Enterprises workshops in partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems and Mississippi State University’s Extension Service.

The workshops are made possible with a grant from the Delta Regional Authority.

For more information, contact Pam Swanner of Alabama Black Belt Adventures at 334-649-3788 or 334-343-6173. You can register online at http://www.wildlifeworkshop.msstate.edu.