Ruffner Mountain, a Birmingham treasure, turns 40 this year (photos)

Birmingham Alabama
Ruffner Mountain’s “Tree House” visitor center

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, one of Birmingham’s natural and historical treasures, turns 40 this year.

Established on July 19, 1977, the nature preserve was originally 24 acres.  Today, the preserve encompasses 1011 acres, has 18 miles of trails and operates award winning environmental education programs.

Fun facts:

  • Ruffner Mountain is larger than Central Park in New York City
  • About a quarter of the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve was preserved by the state’s Forever Wild program
  • There are 17 trails within the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Want to learn more about Ruffner Mountain and how you can help celebrate and support this special place?

Visit their website at ruffnermountain.org

To commemorate Ruffner Mountain’s 4th decade, checkout below a special Bham Now photo gallery slideshow by local photographer Larry O. Gay.  These beautiful photos were taken on the grounds of the preserve in December 2016.

Enjoy!

Ruffner Lookout Fire Tower
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve turns 40
DSC00069 Ruffner Mountain, a Birmingham treasure, turns 40 this year (photos)
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve turns 40
DSC02347 Ruffner Mountain, a Birmingham treasure, turns 40 this year (photos)
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve turns 40

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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.

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