Freshwater Land Trust expands Turkey Creek conservation footprint

On New Year’s Day, the Freshwater Land Trust announced the addition of 86 acres to a permanently protected property in the Turkey Creek watershed in Pinson. The expansion is the second phase of a conservation easement between FLT and landowner Joe LaRocca, which now totals 178 acres of mixed hardwood and pine forest bordering, and helping to protect, Turkey Creek—the sole home of the critically endangered Vermillion darter.

Bham Now spoke with representatives of Turkey Creek, the Freshwater Land Trust and Ruffner Mountain to learn why this matters.

The importance of preserving Turkey Creek

• Turkey Creek Nature Preserve: 205.680.4116 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Address: 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126

Located in Pinson, AL, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is a 466-acre nature preserve based around Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork.

Although the preserve includes scenic hikes and stunning views, it is best known as the home to three endangered species of fish: the Rush Darter, the Vermillion Darter and the Watercress Darter. In fact, Turkey Creek is the only place in the world where the Vermillion Darter is found.

“Any land acquired within the range of endangered species is incredibly valuable. The Vermillion Darter is one of the rarest species of fish in the state, and Alabama has more species of fish than any other state in the country. Sustaining this habitat for their conservation is extremely important.”

Charles Yeager, Manager, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

An 86-acre conservation easement

As such a unique habitat in one of the most biodiverse states in the country, the preservation of Turkey Creek is critically important to organizations like the Freshwater Land Trust (FLT)—a group that aims to conserve important tracts of land in Alabama.

“The Freshwater Land Trust’s total footprint at Turkey Creek equals 773 acres, which includes both property we own outright and property placed into conservation easements. From a big-picture perspective, the biodiverse Turkey Creek watershed is incredibly important to us.”

Sam McCoy, Land Stewardship Developer, Freshwater Land Trust

One of the ways the FLT helps to preserve the unique habitat in Turkey Creek is through conservation easements with nearby landowners. According to the FLT, a conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently protects sensitive lands from development, and are an important tool for larger landscape protection efforts.

“When a private landowner puts their creekside property into a conservation easement, it prevents that area from being used in future developments. Simply put, the more we can maintain healthy forests, the better that water quality and habitat is going to be.”

Sam McCoy, Land Stewardship Developer, Freshwater Land Trust

Located about three miles downstream of the nature preserve, the recent addition is “Phase 2” of a conservation easement between the FLT and landowner Joe LaRocca that began in December 2021. Combined, “Phase 1” (92.6-acres) and “Phase 2” (86 acres) complete a 178.6-acre conservation easement that includes:

• A forest of mixed hardwoods (including native maples, oaks, poplars and sycamore trees) and pine (including Loblolly and Virginia Pine).
• A large, open grassy field
• Nearly ¾ of a mile of Turkey Creek which runs through the entire southern section of the conservation easement

While separate from publicly-accessible properties like Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, privately-owned property placed in easements—like this one owned by Joe LaRocca—helps to preserve and restore important habitat within the same watershed.

“Any additional properties that our partners at the Freshwater Land Trust can conserve near or around out waterways can create a tremendous, positive impact on our shared natural spaces. Conserved land creates new opportunities for wildlife habitats, improving the local ecosystem. Even if the conserved land doesn’t result in new trails, it will improve the the visitor experience.”

Carlee Sanford, Executive Director, Ruffner Mountain

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