At its 30th‑anniversary gala on Friday night, the Freshwater Land Trust revealed its biggest ever land purchase: a 2,115‑acre parcel in the Locust Fork watershed near Blount Springs. The acquisition was made through a conservation easement, a voluntary legal agreement that permanently protects the land’s natural resources.
Protecting rare species and water quality
The newly protected property contains forests, streams and caves that support a host of rare aquatic life, including federally listed fish, mussels and snails. Among the most vulnerable is the vermilion darter, an endangered fish found only in the Turkey Creek watershed. Preserving the land will also help maintain clean water in both the Locust Fork and Mulberry Fork watersheds, which feed drinking water supplies for much of Central Alabama.
Bezos Earth Fund grant bolsters recovery effort
In addition to the easement, the trust received a $1 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to fund a five‑year recovery program for the vermilion darter. The grant is part of a partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rewild Organization, which recently announced a $200 million Phoenix Species Project to identify and protect the world’s most endangered species. The vermilion darter grant is one of only nine North American awards under that initiative.
“This investment from the Bezos Earth Fund is huge for our conservation efforts here in Jefferson County,” said Sam McCoy, the trust’s land stewardship director. “We’ve been doing the right and needed things for the vermilion darter for many years through our past restoration projects, but this gives us a leg‑up to do much more to ensure the long‑term survival of this special species.”
Red Rock Trail System gains official loop name
The gala also unveiled the official name for the planned 36‑mile loop of the Red Rock Trail System, a regional trail that will connect six cities—Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, Irondale, Midfield and Mountain Brook—and three major green spaces: Red Mountain, Railroad and Ruffner Mountain parks. Leaders from each municipality displayed placards that, when turned, revealed the name “B‑1,” symbolizing a transit link that ties the geographic area together and reflects the “oneness” the trail creates.
The trust’s long‑term goal is to have a trail or greenspace within one mile of every Jefferson County resident’s home, a vision that aligns with its broader mission to protect environmentally significant land and connect people to the outdoors.
Looking ahead
With the new easement, Freshwater Land Trust’s protected acreage now exceeds 15,000 acres across 14 counties. The organization remains on track toward its ultimate goal of conserving 50,000 acres throughout Central Alabama. Executive Director Rusha Smith called the acquisition “a giant step” toward that vision.
Since its founding in 1996—following a consent decree that addressed large‑scale wastewater pollution in Jefferson County—the trust has played a pivotal role in restoring water quality and preserving habitat for endangered species. The latest acquisition continues that legacy, reinforcing the importance of local stewardship in safeguarding Alabama’s natural heritage.
Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.
