Hiking Responsibly in the Time of COVID-19
Shantell and Sanaa practice social distancing prior to their hike on May 14, 2020.
We have experienced record visitation at Ruffner Mountain since mid-March, and while we understand that the natural world, fresh air, and exercise are a lifeline for many during this crisis, we'd like to share some helpful reminders to keep in mind while hiking during COVID-19.
(Source: Harris Center for Conservation Education, Hancock, New Hampshire)
Stay home if you’re sick.
If you or anyone in your household is experiencing flu-like symptoms, do not go to public places, even trails and conservation lands. You can still enjoy plenty of nature in your own yard or from your front stoop.
Stay local.
Keep close to home, and choose quieter spots or quieter times of day for your outings. Try one of these trails less traveled put together by Freshwater Land Trust.
Keep your distance.
Only hike with members of your own household and stay at least six feet from other hikers at all times, even at trailheads and vistas. If a parking lot is crowded when you arrive, visit another local greenspace.
Keep your dogs on leash.
We always expect dogs to be leashed while on Ruffner Mountain trails, but it’s especially important now when increased trail activity means a higher probability of encounters with other dogs and other hikers. Keeping dogs on leash is for the dog's safety as well, especially with an increase in snake/wildlife activity.
Don’t take risks.
Search and rescue efforts put first responders at risk of exposure, and can divert medical attention away from those who need it most. Use an abundance of caution with regard to weather, terrain, and trip planning. And always remember to bring plenty of water.
Try a Trail Less Traveled
What a gorgeous Spring we are having in Birmingham!
Our friends at Freshwater Land Trust have put together a list of "trails less traveled" to help you find new trails to safely explore in Jefferson County.
PLEASE: Always maintain a MINIMUM of 6 feet between you and other people, even if that means stopping and walking off the trail. If a parking lot or trail looks busy, come back another time or visit another trail on the list!
Cahaba River Corridor
Civitation Park Trail (1.8 mi): 75 Parkway Drive, Trussville, AL 35173
Boulder Canyon Loop Trail (1.02 mi): Vestavia Hills Library, 1221 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Aldridge Gardens (0.9 mi): 3530 Lorna Road Hoover, AL 35216
McCallum Park Trails (1.05 mi): McCallum Park/Rosemary Lane, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Five Mile Creek Corridor
Five Mile Creek Greenway (5.5 mi): Black Creek Park, Yarbrough Rd, Birmingham, AL 35217
North Aqueduct Trail (2.21 mi): Chief William C. Hewitt Park, 2475 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35217)
Reed Harvey Community Greenway Wetland Park Trail (0.3 mi): 1635 Barrington Cir, Center Point, AL 35215
Gardendale Urban Trail (3.17 mi): 2191 Fieldstown Road, Mt. Olive, AL 35117
Jones Valley Corridor
High Ore Line Trail (2.28 mi): Western Health Center, 631 Bessemer Super Highway, Birmingham, AL 35228
Clairmont Walking Trail (0.51 mi): Intersection of Clairmont Avenue and Rockford Road, Birmingham, AL 35222
1st Avenue South / Jones Valley Greenway (0.63 mi): 2501 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Bessemer Rail Trail (0.43 mil): 15th Street South, Bessemer, AL 35020
Shades Creek Corridor
Homewood Forest Preserve (1.32 mi): 1919 South Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35216
Irondale Furnace Greenway (0.58 mi): 4175 Stone River Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
Flora Johnston Nature Trail/ North Shades Creek Greenway (1.49 mi): 311 Elder Street, Irondale, AL, 35210
Wildwood Preserve (0.52 mi): 1298 Forest Brook Circle, Birmingham, AL 35226
Village Creek Corridor
Enon Ridge Trail / Dorothy Spears Greenway (1.07 mi): East Thomas Park (1404 3rd Street West)
Ensley-Pratt Greenway (1.16 mi): 1221 Avenue V, Birmingham, AL 35218
Birmingham Eastside EcoGardens (0.26 mi): Eastern Health Center, 1400 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233
For more trail details, visit: freshwaterlandtrust.org/find-a-trail
Our Native Plant Sale is now ONLINE!
How are you doing?
We hope this message finds you healthy and safe. To help you find some calm among the chaos, we've decided to try something.
Are you familiar with the Native Plant Sale we have with Turkey Creek every April? Well, it's still gonna happen this year!
Just a bit differently.
Starting today through May 1st, you can shop for native plants online HERE and choose from pick-up or delivery options.
Please allow 5-10 business days for your order to be filled. You will be contacted with a specific day and time for delivery or pickup. Please note that plant quantities are limited as Ruffner Members were given the opportunity to shop first.
Keep in mind that this is brand new for us and we hope you will be patient as we work hard to fulfill your orders while keeping everyone safe.
Disclaimer: To ensure the safety of our staff and customers, we are following the shelter-in-place recommendations in accordance with the City of Birmingham's ordinance issued on March 25, 2020. To keep it even more real: The online plant sale is subject to change in accordance with any updates to the City of Birmingham shelter-in-place ordinance and/or state of Alabama recommendations regarding COVID-19.
You may be wondering, what's so great about native plants and why should I care?
Allow us to bust out some knowledge: Native plants promote biodiversity. This means the more native plants you have in an area, the more likely you are to have more species of insects, birds, and other wildlife. Our insects and birds native to Alabama rely on native plants for food, or a nectar source, as well as habitat. Native plants help with other ecosystem services such as filtering pollutants and preventing erosion. They also make a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Not sure where to start?
Check out our "Habitat to Go" boxes!
Looking for the perfect variety of plants curated for your yard?
Our "Habitat to Go" boxes have been selected for your backyard's specific needs. As you are shopping for plants, please consider the amount of sun and shade exposure the area receives, the soil type, maintenance upkeep, and the pollinators and wildlife you want to attract to your yard. These boxes are offered at a special discounted price, compared to purchasing the plants individually. Some boxes even include native plant species that are not offered for individual sale!
We have the following selections up for grabs:
Birds, Butterflies, and Bees
Pathways and Sedges
Rain Garden
Shady Woodland
Wildflowers
After purchasing your "Habitat to Go" box, you can enter into our contest to win your pick of Ruffner Mountain swag. Highlighted below is our "Birds, Butterflies, and Bees Box.”
Happy Planting!
If you enjoy our annual Native Plant Sale and you’d like to support Ruffner Mountain’s mission to advance the understanding of ecology in a rapidly changing world, please consider making a donation or becoming a member.
COVID-19 Update: Hours and Access
We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe during this difficult time.
While we support exercise and getting out in the fresh air, we are asking visitors to think before they put themselves, our staff, others, and first responders at risk.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition, Inc. is an environmental education and conservation-focused nonprofit— at this time, our on-site staff is limited to the essential duties of caring for our Animal Ambassadors and Plant Nursery. We, too, must follow the shelter-in-place and social distancing recommendations, but with many people off work and out of school, there's been heightened demand on Ruffner Mountain, increasing burden and risk on limited staff and others. Therefore, in accordance with ORDINANCE NO. 20-48 approved on March 25, 2020, by the Birmingham City Council and recommended by the Mayor of Birmingham and Chief Health Officer of Jefferson County, we are making the following changes, effective immediately:
All Public, School and Group Programs have been canceled.
Pavilion, Picnic Area, Restrooms, and Nature Center are closed.
In an effort to reduce overcrowding of trails and parking areas:
Limited hours of Trail and Parking access - 8:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Access to Trails is permitted for the following: Residents of the City of Birmingham, Members, and Employees of a Business Member
Furthermore, we require that all visitors adhere to the following rules:
Once the parking lot is full, the preserve is closed for additional visitors.
Do not park on 81st Street or in a non-designated parking spot.
No group congregations.
No organized group activities.
Social distancing is required at all times.
Packout all trash and follow Leave No Trace Principles.
If you have an emergency, call 911.
If these changes and guidelines are not followed, we will be forced to close the parking lots— trails will only be open to those within walking distance of Ruffner Mountain.
We want to safeguard the health of everyone in our community— visitors, neighbors, members, donors, staff, and beyond—as much as we can. Right now, that means social distancing, staying at home, and getting outdoors and exploring close to home.
Stay tuned as we will be updating our website with educational resources that you can use in your own backyard!
~ From all of us at Ruffner Mountain, stay safe and take care of each other.
COVID-19 Update - Ensuring a Safe Environment
For over 40 years, Ruffner Mountain has endeavored to be a good steward to the environment and a good neighbor to our community. As a scrappy grassroots organization, we also understand that small changes can make big impacts.
With this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to close the Nature Center until Tuesday, April 7th, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. All public and school programs will be cancelled during this time. All future programming decisions will be made on a week to week basis. Please continue to check the website for updates.
For now, our trails and the pavilion restrooms will remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Staffing will be limited and may not be available to ask for directions or to assist in an emergency. If you have an emergency, please call 911. To report an issue, you may email us at info@ruffnermountain.org
We ask that you are mindful of your impact on the trails, parking lot, and public areas at Ruffner Mountain - remember to follow social distancing recommendations and visit the preserve in small numbers. Ruffner Mountain is a sanctuary for not just people, but for wildlife and future generations; therefore, once all parking spaces are full, please do not attempt to enter the Nature Preserve.
We depend on your membership and support to protect this place and for it to remain accessible to everyone. We ask all those visiting the preserve, that can afford it, to please become a member online.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period of uncertainty.
Please stay safe and take care of each other.
Know Your Native Grasses & Sedges!
These Native Grasses and Sedges will be available for purchase at our Native Plant Sale in partnership with Turkey Creek on April 3rd - April 5th.
