Coalition: a group of people who have joined together for a common purpose.

TO PRESERVE AND CARE FOR RUFFNER MOUNTAIN AS A SANCTUARY
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, NATIVE PLANTS, AND ANIMALS.

Ruffner's story begins in 1977, when a grassroots community movement formed to create the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition. Their mission was clear: protect the mountain ecosystem and stop a land developer's plan to build an apartment complex on-site. As you can see today, their mission is an ongoing success, as countless species of flora and fauna thrive on the mountain and Ruffner continues to grow. Thanks to the efforts of the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition, concerned residents of South East Lake, members of the Birmingham Humane Society, and the Vulcan Trail Association, a sprawling urban ecosystem was saved. Today, Ruffner Mountain comprises 1,038 acres of biodiverse urban forest and connects the communities of East Lake, Irondale, Roebuck Springs, and Greater Birmingham through 14 miles of trails, nature education and EcoArts programs, and of course, a love of wilderness and wildlife. We owe the original members of the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition a debt of gratitude and thank them for preserving not only Ruffner Mountain but an understanding of our deep connection to the natural world we all inherit.  

Mining History of Ruffner Mountain

Emily Hutto, Wildlife Care Naturalist
wildlife@ruffnermountain.org

As the Wildlife Care Naturalist, my job is to take care of and train all of Ruffner's animal ambassadors and provide educational programs. Our animal ambassadors include turtles, snakes, insects, and raptors! I love educating and inspiring my passion for Ruffner and science, so feel free to ask me any questions about the flora, fauna, and history of Ruffner!

• What is your favorite native plant? I can't choose just one! I love Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) because of their unique leaf structure and because traditional root beer is made from the root of the Sassafras tree! I also love Alabama's state tree, the Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris). It's an endangered species that require wildfire for survival, and longleaf pine forests are known for their rich biodiversity.

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? My favorite trail is definitely the Quarry Trail! I love overlooks, and the overlook at the Quarry Trail (in my opinion) is the most beautiful in Birmingham!

• What is your favorite snack? Is sushi a snack? Because I can snack on some sushi. I also love coconut soup. Now I'm hungry.

• What is your favorite hobby? I'm an avid kayaker, archer, and hiker. I'm trying to visit every State Park in Alabama!

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would love to live in Alaska for a while; it's so breathtakingly beautiful there. But I love Alabama, too, because of all of the environmental education opportunities that are available only here. Alabama is the fourth-most biodiverse state in the United States. We are one of the few states that have more than 5 physiographic regions. We have the largest canyon east of the Mississippi River. We have more species of mussels, snails, crawfish, turtles, and freshwater fish than any other state. Alabama has so much biodiversity that we are called "America's Amazon". If you love nature, Alabama is an amazing place to live!

Hunter Meadows, Teaching Naturalist
programs@jeffcocountygreenways.org

• What is your favorite native plant? Winter Huckleberry (Vaccinium Arboreum) - I remember climbing my grandfather's huckleberry tree as a young child and helping gather huckleberries for my great-grandmother's famous huckleberry pie. 

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Ridge and Valley, by far. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I hike the entire trail without stopping for a break. 

• What is your favorite snack? After a long hike, I love a banana, peanut butter, and honey sandwich. Sprinkle on some cinnamon and I'm set!

• What is your favorite hobby? Anything that engages my creative side and gets me active at the same time. Currently, I enjoy hiking and journaling as well as bike riding and photography.

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Right here. There's something about the beauty, history, and community of Birmingham and the surrounding areas that feels so unique. I love connecting with my fellow community members and hearing their stories. 

Sloan Miles, Volunteer Coordinator
volunteer@jeffcogreenways.org

• What is your favorite native plant? I love seeing Bald Cyprus (Taxodium distichum), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), and when I’m closer to the coast I love trying to find Coastal Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia). For smaller plants I root for Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata).

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Possum Loop!

• What is your favorite snack? Couldn’t land on one snack being my favorite without being disloyal to the rest, but I will say I’ve never been unhappy whenever someone offers me a cold, pre-cut honey-crisp apple with almond butter. Never fails.

• What is your favorite hobby? Cooking. Everybody wins because I love doing it and I love feeding people.

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I’m content here in Birmingham, but should a door open somewhere else I hope for it to be Melbourne, AUS or the Northern region of Sri Lanka where my mom is from.

Carmen Molay, Membership Director
membership@jeffcogreenways.org

I live with my husband, Andrew, and our 3 dogs and 3 cats in Birmingham. I’m the Membership Director at Ruffner Mountain and I absolutely love my job! Some of my responsibilities include responding to member and donor inquiries, managing member and donor records and communications, cultivating member and donor relationships, encouraging member and donor support, and assisting in the development of fundraising efforts. Outside of my usual responsibilities, I also assist with organizing our annual Native Plant Sale, keeping Ruffner’s website up-to-date, merchandise production and ordering, and the occasional IT support, among others. I love trying new things and learning new skills so I try to offer my help wherever I can! 

• What is your favorite native plant? Too many to choose from! Some of my favorites are Eastern Red Columbine, (Aquilegia canadensis) (beautiful blooms and foliage, plus pollinators love it!), native Trillium (Trillium cuneatum) (love the symmetry and mottled leaves), Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) (it has the most adorable bell-shaped blooms and I love the arching foliage and the way it spreads in clusters in shady woodlands). I’m a sucker for shade plants, ESPECIALLY ferns and mosses (perfect for terrariums, another hobby of mine).

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Nature Trail - short and scenic, my go-to when I need a break from my desk! 

• What is your favorite snack? Sushi, fried pickles (not necessarily together)

• What is your favorite hobby? Traveling (cue “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash), music festivals, flower and garden shows, creek-walking, plant propagation and indoor gardening, video games, movies (Netflix is a hobby, right?)

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Hawaii or Amsterdam

Jamie Nobles, Conservation Director
jamie@ruffnermountain.org

I oversee the land management and conservation actions on the mountain as well as manage the greenhouse propagating native plants.

• What is your favorite native plant? Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Buckeye trail

• What is your favorite snack? Chocolate chip cookies

• What is your favorite hobby? Birding

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? New Zealand

Stella Pfau, Director of Programs and Community Partnerships
programs@jeffcogreenways.org

Raised not far from the mountain in Roebuck Springs, I remember visiting Ruffner Mountain as a child and instantly falling in love with the tranquility of the trails and the abundance of plant and animal life. I received my B.S. in Ecology and Biodiversity from Sewanee: the University of the South, and my master's degree in Public Administration with a certificate in Nonprofit Management from UAB. I joined Ruffner Mountain part-time as a Naturalist Teacher in 2019 while. still in graduate school before assuming the full-time role of Director of Programs and Community Partnerships. I love my job - it is creative, challenging, and rewarding!

• What is your favorite native plant? Poverty oat grass (Danthonia spicata) - so curly!

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? If I had to choose Silent Journey in the summer when the lightning bugs are out. My second favorite is Crusher loop - an absolutely gorgeous illustration of nature coming back and reclaiming an area.

• What is your favorite snack? Tea time (a.k.a “once”) - a Chilean tradition that my mom passed down to us that involves tea milk and an assortment of fruit, veggies, cheese, meat, and manjar/dulce de leche.

• What is your favorite hobby? Pickleball, tennis, organic gardening, yoga, hiking with my dog Neo, attending concerts at Saturn, good conversations with strangers, cooking a good meal, and sharing it with my friends and family!

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? El Bolsón, Argentina.

Janet Simpson, Chief Operating Officer
janet@ruffnermountain.org

My love for the outdoors started early, thanks to my grandfather, a self-taught naturalist, and spelunker. My favorite days are spent in nature. I feel lucky to live in a place where access to nature is so available and abundant.

• What is your favorite native plant? Trout lilies, fire pinks, wild indigo/baptista, and scarlet buckeyes to name a few!

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Ridge & Valley

• What is your favorite snack? popcorn

• What is your favorite hobby? birding

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I prefer being close to water and woods, with easy access to community.

Paul Thibodeaux, Trails and Facility Maintenance Manager
paul@ruffnermountain.org

As Trails and Facility Maintenance Manager, my hope is to keep the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve accessible, safe, presentable, and educational for every visitor. I grew up exploring hard-industrial structures long forgotten in wild habitats along coastal Louisiana, so my appreciation for the preservation of places like Ruffner Mountain go back to early childhood. I have a background in Historic Preservation Carpentry, Environmental Science & Remediation, and Restoration Ecology. My respect for nature stems from seeing how resilient it can be if we let it do what it wants. I also appreciate how honest it is when human influence demands too much of it.

• What is your favorite native plant? Southern Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Ridge and Valley Trail. Geomorphology, particularly how drastic elevations between a ridge and valley form by many years of tectonic activity and erosion, has always been fascinating to me.

• What is your favorite snack? In the woods: cheese, apples, and jerky.
  In the city: sushi or a shrimp po'boy.

• What is your favorite hobby? Exploring wild places, discovering music from around the world, trying new recipes, and learning new skills.

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Pre-colonial Appalachian Mountain region.

Charles Yeager, Turkey Creek Preserve Manager
charles@turkeycreeknp.com

• What is your favorite native plant? Pawpaw. Hands down the best native fruit and a rare treasure when found ripe.

• What is your favorite trail at Ruffner? Wetlands Trail. It is a wonderful place to take my kids to observe wildlife.

• What is your favorite snack? Wasabi peanuts.

• What is your favorite hobby? Fly fishing.

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Northern Idaho