Since the opening of Hickory Cove Nature Preserve in spring 2023, staff and volunteers have been working to assess and modify the existing Legacy Loop Trail to ensure it offers the experience visitors have come to expect at a Land Trust nature preserve. Volunteers work on trail reroute around the springhouse area. The most obvious change for visitors will be the relocation of the north trail entrance and a small trail reroute in that area. In an effort to protect the integrity of natural and historic features, the trail reroute was completed to prevent damage and erosion around the histo ..read more

The Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council awarded the Land Trust of North Alabama a $5,000 grant through the North Alabama Trail & Recreation Program (NATR) to support trail improvements and maintenance at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve in Colbert County. Cane Creek Canyon is 693-acre natural refuge providing home to a broad diversity of plant and animal species. The property, located near Tuscumbia, offers an extensive trail system for visitors to explore each weekend (Friday – Sunday from 7 AM – 5 PM). This nature preserve was priv ..read more

In 2023, Land Trust of North Alabama surpassed an impressive milestone of preserving 10,000 acres across our region. This exciting achievement comes at a time when our community is growing faster than ever before and all land preservation achievements, big and small, are worthy of celebration. Each and every individual and business who contributes time and dollars to make our community-led conservation possible is critical. Thank you for your support. Here’s a look back at last year’s land conservation successes, totaling 247 newly protected acres. Drake Mountain – 44 acres In April 2023 ..read more

Your support is critical to enrich North Alabama’s quality of life and protect the natural spaces that allow people, plants, and animals to thrive! Here’s some of the best ways you can support the Land Trust’s mission. 1. MEMBERSHIP Land Trust members are the heart of our organization and our primary funding source. Please join or renew your membership today to become a part of a community of individuals dedicated to expanding land conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental education throughout North Alabama. Join or Renew BONUS: If you are already a member, thank you! You can pr ..read more

Over the past year, we have completed a variety of trail infrastructure and improvement projects that were made possible by honorarium or memorial donations. This type of gift allows you to make an impact twice – once to recognize or remember a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or promote your business and second to enhance the outdoor experiences available in our community. Many donors utilize these opportunities as a remembrance for someone who was passionate about nature. However, naming opportunities can also make unique and memorable gifts for holidays, anniversaries, or to mark a s ..read more

Guest Post by Sara Johnson, Conservation Biologist with the North American Land Trust and Land Trust of North Alabama volunteer Late Summer 2023 Blevins Gap Pollinator Garden Update Blevins Gap Nature Preserve is one of the most visited preserves in North Alabama with approximately 11,000 visitors each year. Since road construction on Cecil Ashburn in 2020, the large area to the northwest of the Blevins Gap parking lot has been vacant, filling in with a mix of native and non-native grassland plant species. Throughout this time, it has become a popular an ..read more

On a sunny morning at the start of June, Land Trust staff, board, volunteers, members, and hikers gathered to officially open our tenth public preserve – Hickory Cove Nature Preserve. After a moment to share our enormous appreciation for Land Trust supporters, the ribbon was cut to enthusiastic applause and hikers were welcomed to start exploring. Legacy Loop winds through the trees Concord Land Development, Inc. (Legacy Homes) donated the 144-acre mountainside to the Land Trust in Spring 2023. The exciting but unusual thing about this property is that it came with an existing parking ar ..read more

Land Trust of North Alabama has received a donation from See Forever Development Partners of 5.61 acres adjacent to Bankhead Parkway on west Monte Sano. This addition will expand Monte Sano Nature Preserve and maintain popular trail connections. Map shows land donation expanding the Land Trust’s Monte Sano Nature Preserve “We are beyond thrilled to finalize the first of two donations to the Land Trust of North Alabama,” said Ben F Jackson, IV, Chief Operating Officer, See Forever Development Partners. “These donations have been a vision of our development from the beginnin ..read more

Land Trust of North Alabama has reached a tremendous milestone with the conservation of over 10,000 acres across the region. These acres protected by the community provide habitat and resources to irreplaceable wildlife and plant species, serve as essential spaces for outdoor recreation and discovery, and ensure opportunities for generations to come to experience North Alabama’s unique natural wonders. Bethel Spring Nature Preserve Land Trust properties are incredibly diverse and beneficial, including flood storage and buffer areas along rivers, creeks, and wetlands, forests that improve air q ..read more

Guest Post by Sara Johnson, Conservation Biologist with the North American Land Trust and Land Trust of North Alabama volunteer 34% of plants in the US are at risk of extinction. It is more important than ever to begin reconsidering how important our own backyard or neighborhood is to fighting the biodiversity crisis.  The concept of a “Homegrown National Park” encourages change at the individual and local level; by providing safe havens for plants and wildlife at home. By growing native plants and creating habitat in our communities, we can supplement already protected places and cr ..read more