Accreditation Awarded by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
The Freshwater Land Trust, a nonprofit land conservation group in Birmingham, has been awarded accredited status by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The Freshwater Land Trust is the first accredited land trust in the state of Alabama and one of only 53 in the nation.
“Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “The accreditation seal lets the public know that the accredited land trust has undergone an extensive, external review of the governance and management of its organization and the systems and policies it uses to protect land.”
“The Freshwater Land Trust’s accredited status demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation,” says Wendy Jackson, Executive Director. “We hold ourselves to a high standard in our conservation work, and our land trust is an even stronger organization today having gone through the rigorous accreditation program.”
Wendy Jackson Pays Tribute to Mr. Bill Ireland, Sr.
On March 5, 2009, Alabama and our country
lost one of our greatest citizens, Mr. William R.
Ireland. Or, as I affectionately referred to him,
“Mr. Bill.” As I attempt with a heavy heart to
pay tribute to him, I find no words eloquent
enough to describe this remarkable gentleman.
Tributes across the state will certainly portray
him as a brilliant businessman, a generous
philanthropist, a man who served his family,
his country, and his community. And they will
all be correct. Read the full tribute >
Lend a hand
Volunteers removing debris from Five Mile Creek in Brookside, Alabama. Volunteer your time or money to help buy and restore critical natural areas along our rivers.
The Freshwater Land Trust's mission is the acquisition and stewardship of lands that enhance water quality and preserve open space. We are a conservation group that works to ensure that everyone wins: landowners, businesses and communities alike.
Upcoming Events
Join the Freshwater Land Trust on Saturday, May 16th to see the beautiful Cahaba Lilies. It's a must-see trip! Please call our office at 226-7900 for more information and to reserve your spot.
Latest News
April 2009
Our Spring Newsletter is out!
November 2008
The Freshwater Land Trust and the new Bass Pro Shops in Leeds have partnered to protect a nearly 8-acre forest along Bass Pro Boulevard. Look for the sign as you drive in!
October 2008
The Freshwater Land Trust partnered with the City of Clay to protect Lake Cosby and the land that lies around it for use as a public recreation area. Read the press release.
April 2008
The Freshwater Land Trust is seeking accreditation through the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Land Trust Accreditation Program (www.landtrustaccreditation.org) recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.
Previous Stories
March 2008
The Mayor and City Council of Homewood signed a conservation easement with the Freshwater Land Trust, permanently protecting the beautiful 65-acre Homewood Forest Preserve from development and keeping it as a treasured green space! The Homewood Forest Preserve is located next to Homewood High School at 1901 S. Lakeshore Drive. Read the press release.
Also, see photos from the Land Trust's field trip to the Homewood Forest Preserve here.
January 2008
On January 11, the Freshwater Land Trust, Faith Apostolic Church and a number of other partners celebrated the groundbreaking of gardens that will surround and protect Seven Springs, a home of the endangered watercress darter. See photos here and read more.
December 2007
Vestavia Hills couple Britt and Judy Butler sign a 32-acre conservation easement with the Freshwater Land Trust, permanently preserving beautiful land along the Cahaba River. They join their neighbors, Bob and Ann Tate, who protected their adjoining 13 acres with a conservation easement with the Land Trust a few years ago. Read more.
Read the Birmingham News front page article here.
November 28, 2007
The Five Mile Creek Greenway has won the prestigious Phoenix Award for 2007, which honors the best brownfield restoration projects across the country. The Five Mile Creek Greenway was named the top project in the Southeast, and it is now a finalist for best project in the nation. This is the first time in the award's 10-year history an Alabama project has been selected. Read more.
Read the Birmingham News front page article here.
Where We’re Working
Under the Jefferson County Greenways Program, the Freshwater Land Trust has acquired over 3,500 acres that preserve over 60 miles of rivers and streams within Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama.
The Land Trust has acquired land along Five Mile, Village, Valley, Shades, Little Shades Creeks and Turkey Creek as well as the Cahaba River.
Red Mountain Park, the Land Trust's most ambitious project to date, is a 1,108-acre tract of land that stretches 4.5 miles along Red Mountain in southwestern Jefferson County, Alabama.
Restoration
The Freshwater Land Trust is removing acres of Japanese privet, a highly invasive plant, and planting native trees and shrubs in its place along stretches of Shades Creek in Bessemer. In addition, Shades Creek is being restored to its original pathway. See amazing photos of the progress. Read more...