Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,414 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in central Alabama, along the Cahaba River downstream from Birmingham and surrounding 3.5 miles of the riverway just north of the confluence of the Cahaba and Little Cahaba Rivers to just north of Piper Bridge in Bibb County, approximately 5 miles east of West Blocton. Sarah Clardy is manager of the refuge.
The refuge was established on September 25, 2002. Additional purchases are under negotiation which will increase the size of the refuge to 3,840 acres. The facility is unstaffed, but is administered by the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston.
The objectives of the refuge include preservation and management of the included section of the river's course, which is the habitat of the Cahaba shiner, goldline darter, round rocksnail, and cylindrical lioplax snail. There are also 64 other rare plant and animal species within its borders. Management goals include the restoration of mountain longleaf pine forest and programs for environmental education and interpretation. The refuge also provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, hiking, photography, and wildlife observation.
References
- "Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 23 Mar 2006, 20:01 UTC. 23 Mar 2006, 22:24 [1].
- Roop, Lee. (October 19, 2011). "Three Alabama wildlife refuges get new federal manager." The Huntsville Times.