Land Trust grows conservation footprint on two Huntsville mountains

HUNTSVILLE — Land Trust of North Alabama is helping ensure Huntsville’s Green Mountain remains … green.

Named for Danish cabinet maker and carpenter Charles Green, who built a cabin on the mountain in 1860, and not necessarily for its forest and lush greenery, Green Mountain is a major part of the organization’s nature preservation.

In its history, Land Trust has protected more than 10,000 acres across North Alabama and this year added nearly 40 acres, including a pair of recent land acquisitions, helping keeping the Tennessee Valley green.

The first property, atop Green Mountain near Riverview Road in south Huntsville, was received as a donation from Jeanne Byrd. Protection of this 9-acre space, near Green Mountain Nature Preserve, secures natural habitat in this rapidly changing area and offers an opportunity for future expansion of the nature preserve and trail system.

A popular outdoor recreation area, Green Mountain Nature Preserve encompasses 928 acres with nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 3.2-mile Green Mountain Trail that opened to the public in July.

The second newly acquired property is a 9.5-acre tract of land just east of the Spragins Hollow Trailhead at Wade Mountain Nature Preserve in north Huntsville.

The Land Trust has monitored this parcel for several years due to its proximity to the 935-acre Wade Mountain preserve. This addition expands the boundaries of the preserve and enhances habitat protection in another increasingly developed area of the city.

The Land Trust offers 10 public nature preserves with provide free access to nature and more than 80 miles of trails to explore. Trail maps, visitor information, and details on how to support this local land conservation effort at landtrustnal.org.