Why Alabama’s Paint Rock Valley is North America’s biodiversity jewel

Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher

Reading time: 1 minute

LinkedInShares95

Sponsored

E.O Wilson
Dr. E.O. Wilson and Bill Finch. (Beth Finch / Paint Rock Forest Research Center)

In the early 2000s, native Alabamian E.O. Wilson, one of the most acclaimed naturalists in the world, encouraged scientists to set up a research center to study the biodiversity of his home state. 

There were plenty of places to choose from, including “America’s Amazon ”(AKA the Mobile-Tensaw Delta), the Red Hills in South Alabama, Cahaba River watershed and much more. He was joined by an impressive team: UCLA scientist Stephen Hubbell, Smithsonian researchers and Wilson-protégé Bill Finch.

The place they selected? 

The Paint Rock Valley, an area in the northeast corner of Alabama, primarily in Jackson County.

Throughout 2025, The Bama Buzz has examined special places and landscapes in Alabama. Earlier this month, we wrote about mountain longleaf forests.

In this edition, we learn about the “Paint Rock,” and how a research center is unlocking ways to preserve and protect this globally significant place.

Check out our series about rare places in Alabama at: Why Alabama’s Paint Rock Valley is North America’s biodiversity jewel

Sponsored by:

EBSCO Industries

LinkedInShares95
Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 2963

You might also like