Lend a hand
Volunteers removing debris from Five Mile Creek in Brookside, Alabama. Volunteer your time or money to help buy and restore critical natural areas along our rivers.
The Freshwater Land Trust's mission is the acquisition and stewardship of lands that enhance water quality and preserve open space. We are a conservation group that works to ensure that everyone wins: landowners, businesses and communities alike.
Latest News
April 2008
The Freshwater Land Trust is seeking accreditation the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Freshwater Land Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open. Click here to learn more.
March 2008
The Mayor and City Council of Homewood signed a conservation easement with the Freshwater Land Trust, permanently protecting the beautiful 65-acre Homewood Forest Preserve from development and keeping it as a treasured green space! The Homewood Forest Preserve is located next to Homewood High School at 1901 S. Lakeshore Drive. Read the press release.
Also, see photos from the Land Trust's field trip to the Homewood Forest Preserve here.
Upcoming Events
Join the Freshwater Land Trust on June 7th for a float down the Cahaba River to see the Cahaba Lilies!
Canoe past hardgrove shaols and see the beautiful and endangered Cahaba Lily. This is an easy float trip, and you will not be disappointed. Space is limited, so please call the Freshwater Land Trust at (205) 226-7900 for reservations.
Details:
In the event of inclement weather we need a way to reach you, so when you RSVP, please leave a number where you can be reached. We will meet in the parking lot of Birmingham-Southern College, 900 Arkadelphia Road at 7 am on June 7th. You'll take a left after the guard gate, and we will meet in front of the Student Services Building. We will provide the canoes, life vests and paddles. As with any canoe trip- there is the possibility we will get wet, but that's half the fun! Here is what you'll need to bring:
- Water
- Lunch/ snacks
- A hat/ sunscreen
- Appropriate clothing and footwear that can get wet
- A change of clothes for the ride home and towel
The float trip should last about 4 hours, with stops along the way. We should be back in Birmingham between 5 and 6 pm. In case you need to reach us, please call Brian Rushing's cell phone: 531-7799. Other than that, just come ready to experience some spectacular sites and a great day!
Previous Stories
January 2008
On January 11, the Freshwater Land Trust, Faith Apostolic Church and a number of other partners celebrated the groundbreaking of gardens that will surround and protect Seven Springs, a home of the endangered watercress darter. See photos here and read more.
December 2007
Vestavia Hills couple Britt and Judy Butler sign a 32-acre conservation easement with the Freshwater Land Trust, permanently preserving beautiful land along the Cahaba River. They join their neighbors, Bob and Ann Tate, who protected their adjoining 13 acres with a conservation easement with the Land Trust a few years ago. Read more.
Read the Birmingham News front page article here.
November 28, 2007
The Five Mile Creek Greenway has won the prestigious Phoenix Award for 2007, which honors the best brownfield restoration projects across the country. The Five Mile Creek Greenway was named the top project in the Southeast, and it is now a finalist for best project in the nation. This is the first time in the award's 10-year history an Alabama project has been selected. Read more.
Read the Birmingham News front page article here.
Where We’re Working
Under the Jefferson County Greenways Program, the Freshwater Land Trust has acquired over 3,500 acres that preserve over 60 miles of rivers and streams within Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama.
The Land Trust has acquired land along Five Mile, Village, Valley, Shades, Little Shades Creeks and Turkey Creek as well as the Cahaba River.
Red Mountain Park, the Land Trust's most ambitious project to date, is a 1,108-acre tract of land that stretches 4.5 miles along Red Mountain in southwestern Jefferson County, Alabama.
Restoration
The Freshwater Land Trust is removing acres of Japanese privet, a highly invasive plant, and planting native trees and shrubs in its place along stretches of Shades Creek in Bessemer. In addition, Shades Creek is being restored to its original pathway. See amazing photos of the progress. Read more...