Turkey Creek flows through the northeast Jefferson County community of Pinson. It is home to the Watercress and Vermilion darters, two extraordinary fish currently listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Falls on Turkey Creek have been used for picnicking and recreation since the 1870s. But for all its beauty and history, Turkey Creek was almost lost-until the Land Trust stepped in.
1998
Jefferson County proposes building a prison at Turkey Creek, setting off a controversy. The people of Pinson form the Society To Advance the Resources at Turkey Creek (START) and quickly gain 7,000 members. START nominates the prison site to the State’s Forever Wild Land Trust, but the Forever Wild Board turns down the offer to avoid the growing prison controversy.
1999
Jefferson County abandons the proposed prison, and County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins forms the Turkey Creek Watershed Development Committee. The Committee envisions a nature preserve of approximately 630 acres.
2000
The Turkey Creek Watershed Development Committee re-nominates the Nature Preserve site to Forever Wild where it scores highly as a state nature preserve. However, the project proves too complicated with multiple landowners, and fails to move forward.
2001
The Turkey Creek Watershed Development Committee meets with Wendy Jackson, Executive Director of the Freshwater Land Trust, to seek guidance on implementation strategies. The Freshwater Land Trust offers to help the Committee acquire both land and partners for Turkey Creek.
The Land Trust eyes 180 acres owned by a developer, Patrick O’Sullivan, for acquisition. Mr. O’Sullivan’s land is particularly desirable because it contains over a mile of Turkey Creek and the historic Turkey Creek Falls. In addition, it is zoned both commercial and multi-family residential, making it prime for development.
John Akin and Martha Akin Walston meet with the Land Trust about 24 pristine acres along the creek that have been in their family for over 100 years. The family wishes to see the property preserved in honor of their grandfather, R. DuPont Thompson, the original landowner. The family donates 21 acres of the land and conveys a conservation easement on the remaining 3 acres including a historic home built at the turn of the 20th century.
2002
The Freshwater Land Trust meets with Patrick O’Sullivan and negotiates a deal that includes a fee simple purchase of 141 acres and a donation of 40 additional acres. The Land Trust presents a package of tax benefits that makes the offer attractive to Mr. O’Sullivan. He agrees to the deal.
2003
Using the Akin/ Walston and O’Sullivan gifts as a match, the Land Trust is chosen by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to receive a highly competitive grant in the amount of $853,000. This grant is used to acquire an additional 47 acres from the Thomas estate, another family seeking to preserve their heritage. This critical acquisition protects spawning habitat for the Vermilion Darter.
The Land Trust, in partnership with the Jefferson County Commission, packages 466 acres of property acquired along Turkey Creek and nominates it once again to Forever Wild. Thanks to the charitable partners, this land package valued at $4.7 million is offered at the discounted price of $2 million. The Forever Wild Board applauds the local efforts and votes unanimously to accept the offer.
The Land Trust will use the $2 million recovered from the sale to Forever Wild for additional land acquisition along Turkey Creek. They also retain 24 acres donated by the Akin and Walston families for the creation of an interpretive center.