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• A 3.3 acre preserve in Cherokee County that protects one of the more generous groupings of the Green Pitcher Plants.
• Boasting a wetland boardwalk and a 14-ft tall observation tower, the Frog Pond in Northeast Alabama may be small but provides an opportunity to view a wetland habitat up close. The Frog Pond is located
• A 323 acre preserve on the on the Paint Rock River in Jackson Country that showcases some of the more prominent bottomland hardwood wetlands in the area as well as about 45 mussel species, some of which are threatened or endangered species.
• Though small in comparison to other wildlife refuges, the two pond site houses the endangered Watercress Darter, a fish only found in Alabama.
• Located in northern Alabama (between Decatur and Huntsville), Wheeler NWR offers 35,000 acres providing a wildlife observation building, lots of spaces for hunting and fishing, boating, and hiking.
Central Alabama • Located in Macon County, AL, the Alabama Agricultural Station Wetland Research Area is used by faculty and students of Auburn University to conduct independent research. Other interested parties can contact the director of the program to arrange visits.
• Owned by the Nature Conservancy, Barton’s Beach / Perry Lakes spans 125 acres of swamps, beaver ponds, and floodplain forests. A winding path throughout offers fascinating views of the swamp and provides many birdwatching opportunities. Additional Links: Barton's Beach on the Cahaba
• Considered a “lost world of species,” the Little Cahaba River flows through this preserve which harbors numbers of rare aquatic species. The Nature Conservancy considers Bibb’s County Glades Preserve as the “most biologically diverse piece of land known in the state of Alabama.”
• Stop by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to catch a glimpse of some of the more notable Alabama wetland plants in addition to many other dazzling wildflowers.
• Containing more species of fish per square mile than any other North American river, the Cahaba also hosts the largest remaining grouping of the Cahaba Lily. Its scenic beauty comes about from the variety of plants and animals, including close to 70 rare or threatened species. Additional Links:
Cahaba
River National Wildlife Refuge
• This 26 acre preserve in Central Alabama protects the endangered Alabama leather flower along with other native Alabama plants. Dry Creek serves as a spot for migratory and nesting songbirds as well.
• Though more of a longleaf pine forest than an actual wetland itself, the Roberta Case Pine Hills Preserve contains one of the largest populations of the federally endangered Alabama canebrake pitcher plant. Along with the pitcher plant, the preserve is home to many other typical plants one might see in a wetland.
• Take a scenic canoe ride down the Sipsey River, which gives life to one of Alabama’s largest acreages of bottomland hardwood wetlands. Additional Links:
Sipsey
River Facts
• Near Prattville, AL the Warner Scout Reservation rests alongside two lakes and a number of creeks, with a nature trail winding throughout.
• Mainly an educational site, Wehle offers educational opportunities concerning conservation in the state of Alabama. The small 25 acre nature center offers hiking trails catered to nature observers everywhere. Additional Links: Wehle Nature Center (South Alabama Birding Association)
Southern Alabama
• Established by Congress in 1980, this 7,000 acre refuge is home to thousands of migratory birds, sea turtles, and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. Encompassing a variety of habitats in addition to wetlands, the refuge features an impressive Alabama Coastal Birding Trail in addition to guided tours.
• Approximately 80 miles north of Mobile, AL lies 4,218 acres of habitat bordering the Tombigbee River filled with creeks, lakes, and other various wetland ecosystems. Numerous threatened or endangered species make their home at Choctaw NWR, including the American alligator and the bald eagle.
Rivers, Streams, Lakes and Ponds of the Escambia - "Big Escambia Creek begins in Conecuh County, Alabama, and ends at the Alabama/Florida state line near Century, Florida."
• An educational public aquarium featuring coastal habitats of Alabama as well as various breathtaking visual and interactive exhibits. Additional Links: Dauphin Island Sea Lab
• Set within a cypress-gum wetland along the shore of Alabama’s largest natural lake (Lake Jackson), the Florala Wetlands Park offers visitors a chance to walk through an undisturbed wetland.
• The Grand Bay Savannah is an area that keeps the southern coastal plain intact in its natural state. Its rich biodiversity stems from the fact that it entails 3 different wetland types- a coastal maritime forest, an estuary, and a rich wet pine savannah habitat. Additional Links: Dennis Cove
• 47,000 acres of land in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta area of Alabama contain a healthy percentage of wetland plants and animals, including the Alabama supple-jack and Alabama Black Bear. Additional Links:
Mobile-Tensaw
River Delta
• This 588 acre forest also houses a 394 acre portion of a marsh/pine savannah ystem in the adjacent Gulf State Park. Orange Beach is home to over 20 rare or threatened species of plants and animals and acts as flood control for the surrounding low lying community.
• A nature preserve off of Ono Island containing a salt marsh full of migratory birds and marsh rabbits. Great site to discover what a coastal marsh is like. Additional Links: Gulf Islands Landscape Conservation Area
• The reserve boasts a living laboratory on to researching and protecting the estuarine environment of southern Alabama. With over 5,000 feet of elevated boardwalks and two miles of ground trails, Weeks Bay contains most types of wetlands– swamps, forested wetlands, salt marshes, and brackish marshes. For the most in-depth wetland experience, Weeks Bay offers it all and serves the community as an educational and environmental research center. Additional Links: Weeks
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Miscellaneous • While not fully wetland areas themselves, many of Alabama’s state parks are either surrounded by or contain a portion of a wetland within.
• Offers 10 birding sites located on wetlands throughout the state of Alabama.
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Wehle
Nature Center
