Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, is located 20 minutes north of Birmingham near the community of Pinson. The waterway is home to three endangered species of fish: the Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki), Watercress Darter (Etheostoma nuchale), and Rush Darter (Etheostoma phytophilum). The Rush and Vermilion Darters are only found in Turkey Creek and nowhere else in the world.
Freshwater Land Trust played a integral role in the long-term conservation of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, an outstanding example of a private initiative to protect endangered species at a site slated for development into a state prison. Local citizens raised concerns to the proposed development of this environmentally significant site, and organized as community grassroots group S.T.A.R.T. (Society To Advance the Resources at Turkey Creek) to advocate for the land’s protection.
To help protect the land, FLT worked for two years to combine approximately $1.5 million from the Jefferson County Greenways Program with $750,000 in private landowner contributions to secure support from the Alabama Forever Wild Program, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Jefferson County and others. This collaboration resulted in the establishment of the 700-acre Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, ensuring the site’s preservation.
FLT’s efforts have since leveraged almost $10 million worth of conservation projects in the Turkey Creek watershed. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is now managed as a nature preserve and recreational space by Jefferson County Greenways, where various trails and a magnificent set of waterfalls allow visitors to appreciate its natural beauty.
To learn more about Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, visit Jefferson County Greenways.
