For 30 years, one local organization has helped conserve the places that make Alabama special 

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If you’ve ever hiked Red Mountain Park, cooled off at Turkey Creek or biked along Five Mile Creek, you’ve experienced three decades worth of work by dozens of people at one local organization—even if you didn’t realize it.

For the past 30 years, Freshwater Land Trust has helped protect some of this region’s most beautiful natural places while making it easier for people to get outside and enjoy them. From preserving forests and streams to building the Red Rock Trail System®, the local nonprofit has played a major role in the outdoor spaces many of us use every day.

Here’s a look at how Freshwater Land Trust has helped shape our region over the past three decades—and what’s next.

What does Freshwater Land Trust do?

By partnering with landowners, local governments, businesses + community organizations, Freshwater Land Trust helps ensure these natural places remain protected for future generations while expanding access to outdoor recreation. (L-R: Freshwater Land Trust, Damion Bankhead, Greg Harber)

At its core, Freshwater Land Trust focuses on two things: protecting important land across Central Alabama and helping connect communities through trails.

Today, it protects thousands of acres of land across the state’s central counties, including Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, Tuscaloosa and beyond, and builds trails locally that allow more access to greenspaces.

The numbers don’t lie:

• 175 miles of trails, parks + bike lanes developed
• 1,427 acres of freshwater riparian habitat protected for over 15 imperiled, threatened + endangered species
• 12,463 acres of land conserved in 14 counties

Creating 2 of Alabama’s most beloved natural attractions

Among its most impactful conservation successes are Red Mountain Park and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, two of Central Alabama’s most beloved nature attractions that would not be what they are today without the help of Freshwater Land Trust.

In 2005, Freshwater Land Trust partnered with U.S. Steel on one of the largest urban conservation projects in Alabama history: preserving the 1,108 acres that would become Red Mountain Park.

The landmark effort transformed Red Mountain Park’s historic industrial landscape into one of Birmingham’s premier outdoor destinations while laying the foundation for a more connected regional trail network. It’s now the largest urban park in the state and is used by over 100,000 trail lovers every year.

The same goes for Turkey Creek—the 1,000-acre preserve in Pinson was essentially an illegal dump site under threat of development into a prison until the early 2000s when Freshwater Land Trust secured landowner support and funding to ensure its long-term conservation.

Why does it matter? Turkey Creek is much more than just a beautiful swimming hole—it’s one of Alabama’s most ecologically significant waterways. The creek is home to five endangered fish species, including two that exist nowhere else on Earth, making its protection critical for biodiversity and the health of Alabama’s waterways.

Expanding the Red Rock Trail System

As of 2026, 175 miles of trails have been completed in the Red Rock Trail System with many more to come. (L: Mary Fehr / R: Kalli Jones)

While conserving land remains central to Freshwater Land Trust’s mission, the organization has also transformed how people experience the outdoors through the Red Rock Trail System®.

Since taking on the project in 2010, Freshwater Land Trust has helped grow the regional trail network into one of the state’s most ambitious outdoor initiatives. Today, there are 175 completed miles of trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and greenways throughout Jefferson County.

The long-term vision is even greater.

Through the Red Rock Action Plan, Freshwater Land Trust is working toward adding new trail connections that will ultimately create a 36-mile loop linking Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, Irondale, Midfield and Mountain Brook. It will connect Jefferson County’s three largest greenspaces: Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, and Railroad Park.

What’s next? In addition to building out the next phase in the trail system, Freshwater Land Trust has big conservation goals in its future. They will:

• Protect more land in more counties across Central Alabama, ultimately reaching 50,000+ acres conserved 
• Open 6 new conservation properties for recreation in the region, creating even more access to natural spaces  

Experience Freshwater Land Trust’s work + get involved

Want to see Freshwater Land Trust’s conservation efforts firsthand? Here are a few ways:

• Visit a public conservation property! These five are open to the public and offer great opportunities to get outside:
  • Homewood Forest Preserve
  • Wildwood Preserve in Homewood
  • Moon River Canoe Launch in Irondale
  • Grant’s Mill Canoe Launch in Irondale
  • Mardis Mill Falls in Blountsville
• Find a trail! The new interactive map makes it easy to find the right one near you.
• Attend an event! Freshwater Land Trust hosts several events throughout the year, including their annual fall Endangered Species Tour. Plus, this year, they’re having a special celebration of 30 years.
• Volunteer or make a donation on their website. Want to be “Friend” of Freshwater Land Trust? Soon, they will roll out an easy, fun “giving” program, where your support earns you special perks.

30 years after its founding, Freshwater Land Trust continues to expand its impact across Alabama—protecting more land, connecting more communities and creating new opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.

Here’s to protecting Alabama’s natural beauty for the next 30 years—learn more about Freshwater Land Trust’s work and how you can support its conservation efforts by making a donation today.

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