By Todd Keith
In one of the more encouraging signs that the Birmingham region is headed in the right direction—at least environmentally speaking in terms of quality of life for it’s citizens—Turkey Creek Nature Preserve was officially opened this past weekend.
Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Locust Fork and the Black Warrior River system, is located 20 minutes north of Birmingham near the community of Pinson. The falls, a popular spot for locals on a picnic or swimming excursion since the 1870s, arguably look the best they have in ages.
Thanks to a partnership between the Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham-Southern College, the city of Pinson, FreshWater Land Trust, Alabama Forever Wild Program, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Jefferson County, and others, a host of improvements dot the 466-acre preserve. Gates now guard the entrance, along with a welcome center. A new garden of native plants, environmental landscaping, removal of graffiti and other improvements allow the natural beauty of Turkey Creek Falls to become the focal point of any visit to the preserve.
Turkey Creek
This short run of wooded creek nestled in between ridges is home to three endangered species of fish: the Vermilion Darter (<em>Etheostoma chermocki</em>), the Watercress Darter (<em>Etheostoma nuchale</em>), and the Rush Darter (<em>Etheostoma phytophilum</em>). The Rush and Vermilion Darters occur only in Turkey Creek and nowhere else in the world. The creek also shelters the endangered flattened musk turtle.
Black Warrior River Book 