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Man Holding Snake, Others Observing At Ruffner Mountain During A Work Session Propagating Plants For East Side Park And Interacting With Animals, Including Volunteers From Glenwood And The Team With Jefferson County Greenways — Jefferson County Greenways Teaching Naturalist introduces one of JCG’s wildlife ambassadors to Glenwood Adult Day Program volunteers. (Ben Johnson / Bham Now)

Accessibility is the driving force behind the new East Side Park being developed in the Roebuck Springs/South Roebuck neighborhood, bringing two Birmingham nonprofits to work together to benefit this project and other green spaces in Jefferson County.

Every second and fourth Tuesday since September 2025, adults from Glenwood, a nonprofit serving people with autism and behavioral health needs, show up at Ruffner Mountain to learn and volunteer with their friends at Jefferson County Greenways (JCG). They learn about plants and enjoy quality time digging into soil at propagation stations.

Some days, JCG naturalists Emily Hutto and Hunter Meadows bring out the organization’s wildlife ambassadors, such as a red-tailed hawk named Kittyhawk, snakes, owls and turtles.

Keep reading and watch a video about how this partnership began, how it’s growing and ways to help.

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