Acquisition of land is only the first critical step in protecting North Alabama’s great natural places. Once land has been acquired, the Land Trust and our partners begin the never-ending work of ensuring that these acres have the proper care to thrive. Visit our Volunteer and Support pages to learn how you can help support this important work.
Learn more about our plans for preservation.
Land Trust Preserved Property
7504 Acres preserved in 5 counties
(Madison, Limestone, Jackson, Marshall, Dekalb)
15+ miles of creek and river frontage saved
At least 56 known caves protected
14 working properties (297 acres): Agriculture / Grazing
97 Named Trails = 70+ miles with 28 trail entrances maintained
Current Projects
Critical Connections: Chapman Mountain
Land Trust of North Alabama has an incredible opportunity to expand Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve with the purchase of an additional 86 acres. This critical parcel, if preserved, could significantly increase the outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation area in this centrally located, mountainside setting.
Despite being so close to Huntsville, Chapman Mountain has remained an untouched woodland area for many years. Full of wildlife, karst features, and leftover trails from earlier days, it was in danger of being purchased and developed. In 2018, with the support of the Terry Family, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Vulcan Materials Company, the Land Trust was able to open Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve. This centrally located 371 acre preserve boasts a full service education pavilion and 3 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Through recent partnership with Alabama A&M University, the trail system is now being expanded to access 188 adjoining acres owned by the university.
In order to purchase and preserve this new area of the mountain, we must raise $80,000 by August 15.
Critical Connections: River to the Gap
The Vision: Creating a Connection from the Tennessee River to Blevins Gap
Envision a permanently preserved corridor of life, a natural place where connections are made and our unique sense of place is displayed. Envision a place that binds us together with trails and provides a migration corridor and habitat for wildlife to safely travel and flourish. Connecting the Tennessee River to Blevins Gap would provide such a place. It would connect the life-giving waters of the Tennessee River to our mountain top vistas. It would skirt rocky outcroppings that shelter some of our tiniest creatures. It would lead you through groves of wild azaleas, trillium, and phlox that punctuate the new green of spring. It would be a place of respite.
Singing River Trail
The Land Trust of North Alabama, in partnership with the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, and the regional Committee of 100, has begun the process of envisioning a 70-mile Singing River Trail that would connect communities and residents of North Alabama from Huntsville to Madison to Decatur to Athens.
We’ll continue to share details about the project as they become available. Do you have questions or ideas? Let us know at questions@landtrustnal.org or share your thoughts by completing a quick survey at singingrivertrail.com.
Huntsville Greenway Master Plan
The City of Huntsville has partnered with Land Trust of North Alabama to revise and expedite a master greenway plan for pedestrian connectivity across the City of Huntsville. The BIG Picture planning process revealed that citizens, businesses, and planners expect greenways to offer a mix of safe commuter routes as well as connections for recreation and play.
“We heard citizens loud and clear say that greenways are a priority,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “After looking at the BIG Picture feedback and examining the rapid construction of new greenways and multi-modal lanes in other cities, we decided to update our ten-year-old greenway plan to better reflect the public’s desires and to determine how we are going to pay for these pedestrian networks.”
Long-Range Planner Dennis Madsen says the partnership gives his department added planning capacity and the ability to bring in more private support for faster implementation. “When you look at the cities with successful greenways – Chattanooga, Indianapolis, and Atlanta’s Beltline – they enlisted public-private partnerships in response to public will,” said Madsen. “The Land Trust is a well-respected organization in the business of connecting people, land and places. They have a strong history of fundraising and will help us accelerate our greenway buildout.”
The Land Trust agreement includes assistance with greenway planning preparation and mapping, identifying funding sources – philanthropic as well as grant applications – and working with landowners on acquisition.