Explore your backyard: Connect with nature across Jefferson County

Fall is the perfect time to plant. And we've got you covered with the Jefferson County Greenways Native Plant Sale, held every Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ruffner Mountain. JCG members can shop early on Oct. 3 at 8 a.m.

Michael Jordan and a basketball. Batman and some prep-time. Peanut butter and Jelly. King Arthur and Excalibur. Jefferson County Greenways (JCG) and non-native, invasive plant removal.

The MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) Bird Banding Program is a continent-wide initiative that collects critical, long-term data on the population trends and demographic parameters for over 150 target landbird species at multiple spatial scales. In general, each participating site—including Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama—sets up 10 mist nets at specific parameters to catch, band, and release birds in their breeding habitat, roughly every ten days through the course of the breeding season.

One of Alabama’s most biologically diverse protected natural areas has grown by more than 300 acres. Thanks to the partnership with Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy of Alabama, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Jefferson County is now 1,048 acres. The addition includes two formerly privately owned tracts, expanding protected habitat within the Turkey Creek watershed and creating new opportunities for future public access and outdoor recreation.