Forever Wild votes to acquire 6,168 acres across Alabama in six counties

The Forever Wild Board of Trustees voted today to acquire 6168 acres of ecologically and recreationally significant lands in Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Dekalb, Jackson and Shelby counties.

Next up, the Forever Wild team will now conduct a second appraisal, environmental studies on the property and purchase the tracts if the current landowners agree to the appraised price.

What is the Forever Wild Land Trust?

Established as a constitutional amendment in 1992, Alabama’s Forever Wild Program, acquires lands that enhance recreation, protect natural areas and expand state parks and wildlife areas.

Widely considered one of the most successful conservation programs in Alabama history the program has accomplished the following in 34 years:

• Protected nearly 300,000 acres statewide 
• Created 395 miles of recreational trails 
• Saved 228+ tracts of land in 35 counties 

Forever Wild moves forward on 7 tracts statewide

During the August 5th meeting at Lake Guntersville State Park, Forever Wild’s Board voted to move forward on seven different tracts of land. Below is the list of tracts with their name, acreage,  location and a description of why they matter.

Inland Lake North Tract – 3,862 acres in Blount County — Why it matters: Protects Inland Lake the source of Birmingham’s drinking water and expands recreation opportunities

Little River East Fork – 1,220 acres in Cherokee County bordering Little River Canyon National Preserve and Wildlife Management Area —Why it matters: Expands hunting and recreational opportunities near the state’s most popular National Park unit

Cooper Branch – 856 acres in Shelby south of Oak Mountain State Park — Why it matters: More access to recreation for fast-growing Shelby County communities and provides additional greenspace  

Coon Gulf Craze Bend – 80 acres in Jackson County next to Coon Gulf WMA — Why it matters: Expands Coon Gulf Wildlife Management Area footprint

Oak Hill Road – 30 acres in Dekalb County adjacent to Desoto State Park — Why it matters: Expands and protects the one of Alabama’s most beloved state parks

Freedom Hills Heard Addition – 80 acres in Colbert County adjacent to Freedom Hills WMA — Why it matters:  Additional hunting land connected to one of Forever Wild’s largest WMA’s

Riverton CHA Walker Chapel Hollow – 40 acres in Colbert County — Why it matters: Expands the network of Community Hunting Areas (CHA) in Alabama

Partnerships — Key to Forever Wild’s success

According to Board members and attendees at the meeting, the key to Forever Wild’s success are the diverse partnerships the program has forged throughout the state and the wise stewardship of the program’s funding.

For example, numerous local city and county officials spoke in favor of the program and projects at today’s meeting. 

In addition to local support, the projects that moved forward also leveraged federal funding, received local government contributions and even secured a donation from a landowner.

Keith Tassin, Deputy Director, the Nature Conservancy in Alabama summed up the day best.

“The Forever Wild  meeting today at Lake Guntersville State Park was one of those really special days where the board moved a bunch of really great conservation projects forward!”

What’s next for Forever Wild?

Now that the Forever Wild Board has given its greenlight to acquire these tracts, it’s now in the hands of the Forever Wild staff and the landowners to make these acquisitions a reality.. 

Let’s hope that will happen. Stay tuned over the coming months.