According to a recent study from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2.9 billion birds have disappeared in 50 years due to loss of habitat which further reiterates the importance of supporting all green spaces.
Back to Nature Book Events
This book is such a big deal, we need two events!
Please join us for the official Back to Nature book launch at Alabama Booksmith on Wednesday, September 4 at 5:00 pm, and a book signing at Ruffner Mountain on Thursday, September 19 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Author Mark Kelly and photographer Bob Farley will be at both events to sign copies of the book! Copies will be available for purchase at the event.
Don't have your copy of the book yet? You can purchase a copy here, at Ruffner Mountain’s Nature Center, or visit the following locations:
Alabama Booksmith
SHOPPE
Church Street Coffee & Books
Little Professor Books
Alabama Outdoors
The Anvil gift shop at Vulcan Park and Museum
Leaf & Petal
Hope to see you there!
Habitat Garden Club - Pollinators
From Habitat Garden Club host, Michelle Reynolds:
Habitat Garden Club meets every Tuesday from 8 am until 11 am at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and is not just about working and weeding in the gardens. It is about discovery of new things. We like to take the time to notice the buzzing insects around us. We take pictures, post them to iNaturalist for identification, and we’re constantly learning about the nature that surrounds us.
Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium) provides a pretty backdrop to this busy bumblebee as it visited many flowers, packing its pollen baskets and transferring pollen from flower to flower throughout the day.
Uroleucon aphids siphon sweet juices from stems of tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), the carpenter ant crawled around them and drank their sugary excretions (honeydew). Yes, it is a little bit gross but mostly cool.
Back to Nature
Back to Nature by Mark Kelly is the “Ruffner book” whispered about for years, and now available for purchase!
In vivid prose, Kelly relates the history of Ruffner Mountain—it’s missteps and setbacks—a story that, in many ways, mirrors the story of Birmingham. Giving this incredible narrative life are the photos of Bob Farley and together they beautifully illustrate Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition’s 40 years of existence and the mountain’s journey back to nature.
To order Back to Nature, visit our store’s website , or visit Alabama Booksmith and Ruffner Mountain on specific dates in September to get a signed copy - details of which can be found on our events calendar for September.
Closed Monday, July 1st - Sunday July 7th
Ruffner Mountain will be closed Monday, July 1st through Sunday, July 7th to focus on operational planning, safety procedures, and gearing up for the fall season. Hike at your own risk, and remember, trails close at dusk.
We will resume normal operating hours the week of July 8th - just in time for Fresh Air Family’s Gross Out Camp - find out more here!
My Leash Is My Lifeline
Heads-Up!
Please be aware that on Wednesday, June 12th, and Thursday, June 13th, 81st Street South may be closed due to road repair work.
We appreciate your cooperation!