Over 1,000 acres just minutes from downtown Birmingham (and covering an area larger than Central Park) is the reclaimed mining land of Ruffner Mountain. Mining operations began on the mountain under the Sloss Iron and Steel Company to supply iron ore to nearby Sloss Furnaces from the late 1880s until operations finally closed on June 1, 1953.
It’s the highest point in the city of Birmingham and now features over 12 miles of hiking trails. The preserved panoramic view began with 25 acres of the former limestone quarry and surrounding land in 1977. Additional land was provided by the city, by various conservation organizations, and the state’s Forever Wild Land Trust.
The Red Rock Trail System® (RRTS) is a 750-mile master plan connecting 6 main trail corridors including Ruffner Mountain. An interactive map shows the complete system and according to Birmingham Historical Society Director Marjorie White, the map looks very similar to what the Olmsted Brothers firm proposed for Birmingham in 1924.
In 2017, Ruffner Mountain was one of six Birmingham historical sites celebrating Alabama’s industrial and economic history.
Interested in hiking, biking, or nature trails? There’s lots from which to choose and you can find a comprehensive list located on pgs 12-13 of Birmingham by the Book.
The next step is to include it in the Forever Wild Land Trust ensuring its permanent preservation for undeveloped public use. Friends of Shades Mountain have successfully nominated the property for consideration at a hearing on May 2nd at Jacksonville State University. Marjorie White, Director of the Birmingham Historical Society, has drafted the following document to make the case for its inclusion. Please consider attending the meeting or adding your support via a letter to the board members below of the Forever Wild Land Trust of Alabama or to the President of Friends of Shades Mountain.
Dr. James B. McClintock Endowed Professor, Department of Biology University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Biology Campbell Hall 368 Birmingham, AL 35294
Mr. Jack Darnall 4007 Old Leeds Ridge Birmingham, AL 35213
Mr. Jimmy Parnell President, Alabama Farmers Federation President and CEO, Alfa Insurance Companies P.O.Box 11000 Montgomery, Alabama 36191
Dr. Brian R. Keener The University of West Alabama Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences Station #7 Livingston, AL 35470
Friends of Shades Mountain
Larry Rodick, President Friends of Shades Mountain P. O. Box 59651 Birmingham, AL 35259 205-823-7367 friendsofshadesmountain@gmail.com
Not familiar with the Forever Wild Land Trust? This organization was established in 1992 and has secured more than 284,000 acres of land in Alabama for public use. The FWLT’s acquisitions have also created more than 363 miles of recreational trails within 23 new recreation areas and nature preserves, while providing additions to 9 State Parks and 20 Wildlife Management Areas. Forever Wild has helped acquire lands for conservation at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Tannehill State Historic Park, and the Cahaba River Park among others.
Q: How is land acquired by the Forever Wild Land Trust?
A: Individuals can nominate particular tracts of land for purchase; after a review process, the Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees may then make an offer to buy that tract at the appraised fair market value. For each tract the Board acquires, 15% of the appraised value is also deposited into the program’s stewardship account to cover future land management needs. Payment is NOT funded by taxpayers but rather is generated by interest earned from offshore natural gas royalties deposited into the Alabama Trust Fund.
