In April 2023, Ruffner Mountain and Turkey Creek joined forces. These two beloved greenspaces comprise 1,693 acres of land and waterways, welcome over 200,000 visitors per year, and sustain hundreds of species of native wildlife. We invite you to make a meaningful impact by contributing to this exciting new partnership. Donate today and thank you for supporting the greenspaces you use and love!

What We’ve Been Up To

A Natural Fit

Although our official partnership only began this year, Ruffner Mountain and Turkey Creek have been working together since 2017. From native plant sales to service day projects to education programs, we’re thrilled to be moving forward as one organization. We invite you to make a meaningful impact by contributing to this exciting new partnership with a donation today.

Students from Birmingham City Schools in partnership with Jefferson County Health Department watch as Emily, Wildlife Care Naturalist, demonstrates how to dip-net for aquatic macroinvertebrates. Together we hosted 83 educational programs serving 424 people.

Daxko staff loaded 2 trailers full of native plants for transport to Ruffner Mountain, in preparation for the bi-annual Native Plant Sale as part of their day of service at Turkey Creek. Turkey Creek and Ruffner first partnered on the Native Plant Sale in 2017.

The Friends of Turkey Creek crafting Vermilion darters—an endangered species that calls the Turkey Creek watershed home.

Southern Company staff remove trash from the creek basins as part of their service day at Turkey Creek. We hosted 8 corporate workdays this year for litter pick up, invasive species removal, etc.

New gate installation at Turkey Creek.

Ruffner Mountain and Turkey Creek staff and volunteers at the 2023 fall native plant sale—1,858 native plants sold to 221 visitors.

Wildlife Care Naturalist, Emily, holds Ruffie, a speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis nigra, one of 21 educational animal ambassadors.

Bird Banding project with Alabama Audubon.

Kids from East Lake Family Art and Nature Day.

Families from the East Lake Art and Nature Day learn about native plants.

Ruffner hosted a moth night program during National Moth Week in July.

Turkey Creek Parking Lot Renovations. There are now two lots of designated parking at the Preserve. The lots will enable visitors to safely park their vehicles in designated spots rather than along the shoulder road which is a safety hazard and has caused erosion issues.

Turkey Creek Parking Lot Renovation. Thanks to Jefferson County, AL, and Commissioner Joe Knight for their support and to Vulcan Materials Company for providing the boulders and the hard work accomplished in such a short turnaround time.

Trails and Facilities Maintenance Manager, Paul installs new water bottle filling stations!

Wildlife Care Naturalist, Emily, is overjoyed about the new refrigerator which will allow for more storage for animal ambassador food and supplies!

dONATE TO BETTER TOGETHER

What We’ve Been Up To

A Natural Fit

1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35206 | 205.833.8264 info@ruffnermountain.org