PINSON, Ala. — Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, one of Alabama’s most visited natural areas, has grown by 328 acres in a newly completed expansion that pushes the preserve past the 1,000‑acre mark and makes it Jefferson County’s third nature preserve of that size.
The addition comes after the Alabama Forever Wild board in August 2025 approved moving forward on purchasing two tracts bordering the preserve, including a 245‑acre parcel formerly held by The Nature Conservancy and a second tract owned by the Bell family. Officials said at the time that if both acquisitions were finalized, Turkey Creek would exceed 1,000 acres.
By late July 2026, reporting confirmed the preserve “just got 328 acres bigger,” citing the Forever Wild Land Trust’s role in securing the land to protect biologically diverse habitat and rare aquatic species found in the Turkey Creek watershed.
The expansion builds on earlier growth at Turkey Creek, which had been expanded by 173 acres in fiscal year 2022 through the Parker Addition Tract, bringing the preserve to roughly 655 acres before the latest deals. Prior to that, the preserve was listed at about 462 acres in state descriptions.
Local officials have highlighted the recreational and ecological benefits of the new land. Charles Yeager, director of land and water conservation for Jefferson County Greenways, told Bham Now in 2025 that the added property would allow the trail system to grow from about seven miles to potentially more than 20 miles when combined with existing acreage on that side of the road.
Yeager also noted the new tracts bring higher elevation, including some of the highest points in the preserve, and contain large, mature trees. He described the parcels as unusually intact for Jefferson County, saying they have not been logged and have avoided heavy disturbance.
The preserve is already among the most heavily used natural areas in Alabama, and Forever Wild materials have noted its importance for rare species, including the federally listed vermilion darter found in Turkey Creek. State wildlife grant funding previously helped purchase the Turkey Creek‑Thomas Tract to buffer the creek’s unique aquatic diversity.
The 245‑acre tract was initially nominated for purchase by Forever Wild but saw an earlier offer declined during the appraisal process. When the property came up for sale again last year, The Nature Conservancy stepped in to buy and hold it, allowing Forever Wild time to complete its review and funding process.
Yeager credited The Nature Conservancy’s intervention as essential to the acquisition. A second piece of land, referred to as the Bell tract, advanced in the same August 2025 board meeting, setting the stage for the combined 328‑acre addition now reported.
While the land is now protected, officials have noted there is typically additional work — such as management planning, parking and trail construction — before new acreage is fully opened for public recreation.
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is located about 15 miles north of Birmingham in Pinson and is operated as part of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust, which acquires land through voluntary purchases or donations to protect natural, recreational and educational values.