Freshwater Land Trust

Earlier this week, the Alabama Power Company Service Organization joined us, members of the of the Enon Ridge Neighborhood Association, and workers from the front office of the Birmingham Stallions on the Enon Ridge Greenway for a litter cleanup as part of their stewardship efforts and to highlight today’s National Take A Hike Day encouraging exploration of the outdoors. Together, we picked up 49 bags of trash and 4 tires! FLT Junior Board member and Regulatory Support Analyst for Alabama Power Curtis Bowden helped to coordinate the cleanup. “As a member of the Junior Board of the Freshwater Land Trust, I’m passionate about preserving our natural resources and trail systems for everyone to enjoy. I’m very proud to work for a company that shares my commitment to environmental stewardship and actively supports initiatives that enhance our community’s natural environment. Together, we are making a real difference in keeping Alabama’s trails beautiful and accessible for future generations.” We thank these organizations for spending time with us to ensure the clean use and enjoyment of public spaces. Consider taking a hike today on a trail near you; see the entire RRTS on our Find A Trail map: tr.ee/rHI-niXFWo

FLT was thrilled to stand beside Rep. Terri Sewell as she presented an $11.7 million U.S. Department of Transportation (RAISE grant) check to support Corridor D of the Red Rock Action Plan, also known as the Fairfield Trail. The trail corridor will connect the cities of Midfield, Fairfield, and Birmingham via a 3.8-mile multi-use trail linking the High Ore Line, an established trail beloved by residents, to the upcoming Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project. It will also feature a trail spur leading to Miles College, further enhancing connectivity, community, and accessibility. We are incredibly grateful to our partners who are working hard to help actualize this vision, supporting our commitment to ensuring all residents in Jefferson County have access to a trail or green space within one mile of their home. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this corridor will have on the region. BJCTA - MAX Transit Jefferson County Department of Health Kelvin Datcher Alabama Power Foundation https://lnkd.in/gAzsKGtq

If you're passionate about the outdoors and eager to contribute to your community, join our Junior Board! You'll serve as an ambassador for our mission to conserve land and build trails while connecting with like-minded peers. We are accepting applications now until Halloween! linktr.ee/freshwaterlt

Biodiversity. The rich fabric woven by millions of species and their interactions. Food, air, climate, economies and civilization itself depend on it. You can think of biodiversity as the secret sauce behind all healthy ecosystems, keeping them balanced and resilient. In turn, healthy habitats make our lives livable. ??Forests filter water through their roots and oysters clean water with their gills. ?? Coral reefs and coastal ecosystems absorb the force of storm surges and waves, protecting coastal communities. ?? Tropical rainforests, wetlands and mangroves are some of the natural ecosystems that soak up a third of the world’s climate-changing emissions every year. Protecting biodiversity means protecting ourselves, as we are connected to everything living or that has ever lived on this planet. Join us in celebrating and safeguarding the incredible variety of life on Earth. Curious about how you can help? Click here: https://nature.ly/3XZKVSb

We’ve expanded our team at FLT! We’re happy to welcome Jennifer Andress as our new External Affairs and Special Projects Director. Jennifer has been a passionate advocate for trails, connectivity, and outdoor recreation in Jefferson County for almost two decades. She is serving her second term on the Homewood City Council, serves as Chair of the Jefferson County Greenways Commission, is on the Board of Directors of the Woolley Institute for Spoken Language Education (WISE) and the Mountain Brook YMCA, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Homewood and Mountain Brook. Previously, Jennifer served for three terms as President of the Birmingham Track Club, for two terms on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run Birmingham, and is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Birmingham. Jennifer and her husband Keith have two sons who attend Auburn University. She is thrilled to join the team at Freshwater Land Trust, combining her passion for outdoor recreation and local government.

Are you passionate about conservation and trails? Are you looking for service opportunities or perhaps some fun events for networking? We are accepting applications to be a part of our Junior Board now until Halloween! Learn more and apply: linktr.ee/freshwaterlt

Don’t forget to register for our Endangered Species Tour next Friday, September 20th! We’re thrilled to have some special presenters from the THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM CONSERVATION INSTITUTE, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Alabama Audubon, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Alabama Power Company, and more. Lunch (with vegetarian options) and transportation is included with registration, thanks to the ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION. Register here: linktr.ee/freshwaterlt : Bernie Kuhajda from Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Jeffrey Drummond from USFWS, and Scot Duncan from Alabama Audubon. Photos captured at last year’s Endangered Species Tour by Katie Holmes.

Edit: cancelled due to weather conditions! Help us remove trash from the 'Ham! FLT is helping out at the Mulga Loop Fall Litter Cleanup this Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We will be meeting at the Minor Community Church and hitting the streets; collecting litter from the roadways helps keep Village Creek and Bayview Lake clean! Materials are provided; all you have to do is show up. :) Osprey Initiative, LLC Jefferson County Department of Health ALABAMA PALS INC-PEOPLE AGAINST A LITTERED STATE INC

This feature is out just in time for Carolyn Buck's birthday! Happy Birthday Carolyn, and thank you for all of your hard work as Red Rock Trail System Director!