Love Alabama’s outdoor recreation? Here’s a local org and hero to thank.

Sponsored

In our first two installments about Forever Wild, we explored how the public lands program has saved special places and expanded state parks.

In this edition, we take a look at the way Alabama’s greatest conservation program has enhanced outdoor recreation in Alabama.

While it’s taken hard work from many dedicated folks, there’s one key player who made Forever Wild possible.

Bill Ireland + Forever Wild

If you asked Alabama conservationists who was the one crucial person responsible for the passage of Forever Wild—one of the most significant conservation programs in our state’s history—they’d most likely say Bill Ireland.

“One of the best friends the environment of Alabama has ever had.” That was how the Alabama Business Hall of Fame described William “Bill” Ireland Sr. when it inducted the longtime leader and patriarch of Vulcan Materials, honoring both his life and his lasting impact on Alabama’s communities and natural world.

Others who knew him said much the same:

“Bill Ireland was a prince of a gentleman, and he was a friend to our natural resources. He was a friend to our hunting and angling traditions and he was a great friend to the Alabama Wildlife Federation. He served as our president in 1992 and ‘93 which coincided with his tremendous efforts to pass the Forever Wild Amendment.”

Tim Gothard, Executive Director, Alabama Wildlife Federation

Because of his support and efforts, Forever Wild has saved hundreds of thousands of acres across the state for Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and preserves, ensuring everyone has access to public lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching and more.

His legacy was felt so deeply that, after his death in 2009, the Forever Wild Board of Trustees named the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area in Bibb and Shelby counties in his honor.

Enhancing recreation with Big Canoe Creek in Springville

While hunting and fishing are important to our communities, conservation is about so much more. Forever Wild has purchased dozens of tracts throughout Alabama that save and protect local forests and streams in addition to providing recreational opportunities. 

One special example is Big Canoe Nature Preserve in the Birmingham metro town of Springville.

For nearly a decade, the community lobbied Forever Wild to buy the 422-acre natural area in St. Clair County. After the purchase, more than 10 miles of trails have been constructed, along with a .6-mile paved handicap accessible section of trail with a place to rest and enjoy nature by a stream. 

Later this year, an open air pavilion with restrooms will be added by virtue of an ADECA grant, and there are plans to add a Nature Playscape area. 

Along with all the recreational amenities, the preserve is home to the rare Canoe Creek Clubshell and TriSpot Darter. It also offers up nature programming throughout the year with an education coordinator conducting field trips on the Preserve.

“Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve gives the public more opportunities to get out in natural settings, to hike, to bike and take a horseback ride. Education about the Big Canoe Creek watershed has always been a priority for us because of the great biodiversity. Thanks to Forever Wild, we have these opportunities, for not only recreation, but conservation education.

Doug Morrison, manager, Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve

Forever Wild + public hunting lands

Did you know that Alabama has a law that says there should be no net loss of public hunting lands? 

“Hunting and angling have been a part of the fabric of Alabama’s outdoor heritage since its inception and it remains so today. It’s important to our people in Alabama. For many, it’s a source of affordable protein. For others, it is part of a heritage they learned from their parents and grandparents.”

Tim Gothard, Executive Director, Alabama Wildlife Federation

Before Forever Wild was enacted in the 1990s, there wasn’t a mechanism to buy and replace the loss of public hunting lands.

Alabama has changed a lot over the past 40 years: Gone are the days when large timberland owners in partnership with the state would allow the public to come on their property to hunt and fish.

Many of the timberland owners who “fed” paper mills and other forest product industries have divested or closed down. When they sold their property for other uses, the hunting permits were many times ended.

Forever Wild has filled the void.

“Without Forever Wild, there’s no way that we could have kept pace with the loss of public hunting lands.” 

Tim Gothard, Executive Director, Alabama Wildlife Federation

Forever Wild’s impact

Of the nearly 300,000 acres Forever Wild has purchased over the years, 91% of the land provides hunting opportunities for all Alabamians.

Some of the program’s largest acquisitions are Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and preserves adjacent to WMAs:

These areas include:

• Lauderdale and Freedom Hills WMA — 38,000 acres
• William R Ireland-Cahaba River WMA — 28,000 acres
• Mobile-Tensaw Delta — 48,000 acres

What also made these large acquisitions and agreements possible is Forever Wild’s ability to leverage federal dollars, many times doubling and tripling the amount of land the program has been able to protect. Gothard calls it the program’s “secret sauce.”

Nearby Forever Wild recreation areas and nature preserves

Back in 2022, the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced a major milestone for the Forever Wild program.

According to the department’s calculations, 92% of Alabama’s population lives within 25 miles of a Forever Wild property. If you extend that number to within 50 miles, the number of Alabama’s citizens who live near a Forever Wild preserve or tract of land grows to 99.8%.

Whether it’s fishing, canoeing, hiking or taking a dip in a stream, Forever Wild offers nearly every form of recreation imaginable.

Here are some examples statewide:

• Dothan Forever Wild Trails — A hub for all kinds of trails in the Wiregrass, the Dothan tract even has a dog park! A first for Forever Wild.
• Live Oak Landing — Looking for access to the Tensaw River and Mobile Delta? This Forever Wild tract is adjacent to a Baldwin County boat landing.
• Wehle – This Barbour County tract has it all from fishing to a nature center. Check out the open weekend schedule.
• Coldwater Mountain – A mountain bike paradise, the International Mountain Biking Association designated the Forever Wild Land Trust’s Coldwater Mountain tract near Anniston as a Bronze Level Ride Center.
• Indian Mountain – Did you know the historic Appalachian Trail actually connects to Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail? The Forever Wild Indian Mountain tract did just that, connecting Maine to Alabama.

Forever Wild – Special places, State Parks and Recreation

If Bill Ireland was alive today, he would be glad to see what Forever Wild is doing at Big Canoe Creek, Dothan Forever Wild Trails, the expansion of Oak Mountain State Park, growth of wildlife management areas and public recreational opportunities for everyone. 

All Forever Wild properties are special.  Check out this interactive map where you can choose to hike, hunt, fish, bike or watch wildlife in nearly every corner of Alabama.

Sponsored by: