BIRMINGHAM, Ala — The acclaimed Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Jefferson County is poised for its largest expansion in over a decade, following a recent decision by the Forever Wild Land Trust board to move forward with purchasing more than 300 acres adjoining the popular outdoor destination.
At a meeting held Thursday, board members advanced plans to acquire two key tracts: a 245-acre parcel previously owned by The Nature Conservancy and another property from the Bell family. Both plots sit alongside existing preserve boundaries and, if closed, will boost Turkey Creek’s protected area past 1,000 acres.
“Finding contiguous pieces of land in this part of Jefferson County that remain undisturbed is exceptionally rare,” said Charles Yeager, director of Land and Water Conservation for Jefferson County Greenways, as the board celebrated the breakthrough. Preservation advocates underscore that the new acreage offers not only high ridges and some of the county’s largest old-growth trees, but also crucial habitat for vulnerable species—including the Vermilion Darter, one of three endangered fish endemic to Turkey Creek.
The preserve is noted as one of Alabama’s most heavily trafficked natural spaces, drawing thousands of visitors annually for hiking, swimming, birding and photography. The additional land will enable significant expansion of the trail system, potentially tripling its length from the current seven miles to more than 20, giving residents and visitors broader access to wilderness while protecting sensitive ecosystems from encroaching development.
Officials say the process isn’t complete and some hurdles remain, but the board’s vote marks a pivotal moment for conservation near Birmingham. The expansion was made possible by coordination among Forever Wild, The Nature Conservancy, Ruffner Mountain, and local supporters, reflecting a broader movement to unite and manage area greenspaces more effectively.
The new parcels—which have avoided logging and heavy disturbance—will be preserved for habitat conservation, outdoor recreation, and scientific research. With Forever Wild’s acquisition, ongoing stewardship by a coalition of partners, and strong public support for open spaces, Turkey Creek’s future looks bright for both nature lovers and the communities of Birmingham and Jefferson County.