Forever Wild votes to protect 4,718 acres near Birmingham, including key drinking water source

At its August 5th meeting at Lake Guntersville State Park, the Forever Wild Board voted to acquire two tracts totaling 4,718 acres in the Birmingham-metro area that will protect its source of drinking water and enhance outdoor recreation.

Next up, the Forever Wild team will now conduct a second appraisal, environmental studies on the property and purchase the tracts if the current landowners agree to the appraised price.

What is the Forever Wild Land Trust?

Established as a constitutional amendment in 1992, Alabama’s Forever Wild Program, acquires lands that enhance recreation, protect natural areas and expand state parks and wildlife areas.

Widely considered one of the most successful conservation programs in Alabama history the program has accomplished the following in 34 years:

• Protected nearly 300,000 acres statewide 
• Created 395 miles of recreational trails 
• Saved 228+ tracts of land in 35 counties 

Forever Wild moves to protect Birmingham’s drinking water

During the meeting at Lake Guntersville State Park, Forever Wild’s Board also voted to move forward on seven different tracts of land statewide in six different counties, totaling over 6,100 acres.

Two of the largest tracts pertained to the Birmingham-metro area. They are:

• Inland Lake North Tract – 3,862 acres in Blount County
• Cooper Branch – 856 acres in Shelby County south of Oak Mountain State Park

Keith Tassin with the Nature Conservancy in Alabama described the impact the potential Forever Wild purchase of the Blount County and Shelby County properties will have on The Magic City.

“If finalized, these projects will really benefit the greater Birmingham area, including a partnership with Shelby County that will protect a rugged forested ridge and provide expanded hiking and mountain biking opportunities south of Oak Mountain State Park. This purchase would also further protect the view shed of the King’s Chair overlook on Oak Mountain State Park and  protect a significant block of forest in a rapidly growing part of the State.

The Forever Wild Board also moved forward a project that if finalized would expand watershed protection of Inland Lake in Blount County, one of Birmingham’s main drinking water sources. Furthermore, it will provide opportunities for shortleaf pine restoration and create public hunting opportunities in a part of the state with few opportunities.”

The other properties the Board voted to pursue acquisition included:

Little River East Fork – 1,220 acres in Cherokee County bordering Little River Canyon National Preserve and Wildlife Management Area —Why it matters: Expands hunting and recreational opportunities near the state’s most popular National Park unit

Coon Gulf Craze Bend – 80 acres in Jackson County next to Coon Gulf WMA — Why it matters: Expands Coon Gulf Wildlife Management Area footprint

Oak Hill Road – 30 acres in Dekalb County adjacent to Desoto State Park — Why it matters: Expands and protects the one of Alabama’s most beloved state parks

Freedom Hills Heard Addition – 80 acres in Colbert County adjacent to Freedom Hills WMA — Why it matters:  Additional hunting land connected to one of Forever Wild’s largest WMA’s

Riverton CHA Walker Chapel Hollow – 40 acres in Colbert County — Why it matters: Expands the network of Community Hunting Areas (CHA) in Alabama

Partnerships — Key to Forever Wild’s success

According to Board members and attendees at the meeting, the key to Forever Wild’s success are the diverse partnerships the program has forged throughout the state and the wise stewardship of the program’s funding.

For example, numerous local city and county officials spoke in favor of the program and projects at today’s meeting. 

In addition to local support, the projects that moved forward also leveraged federal funding, received local government contributions and even secured a donation from a landowner.

What’s next for Forever Wild?

Now that the Forever Wild Board has given its greenlight to acquire these tracts, it’s now in the hands of the Forever Wild staff and the landowners to make these acquisitions a reality.. 

Let’s hope that will happen. Stay tuned over the coming months.