POWERGRAMS

26 aquatic species than any state in the country, but we've also lost more. We've had more extinctions than any state in the country, so it's vital we take care of places like Turkey Creek." The preserve is a nonprofit organization that receives one-third of its funding from the city of Pinson and relies on memberships, fundraising, donations and grants to meet basic operating needs. "We're extremely careful with our resources," Yeager said. "We spread them 10 times further than they should go." The preserve does not charge admission, and without the additional public and community support, the gates would be closed. "We are hoping to become more sustainable and have been puing things in place the last few years to do that," Yeager said. Yeager and the preserve members have been working on debuting a greenhouse and, later this year, a shade house. The preserve will use the greenhouse and shade house to cultivate locally sourced native plants. The plants will be used primarily for restoration at the preserve, but additional plants will be sold for added income. The second project, a "game changer" according to Yeager, is a pavilion for education classes and special events. The pavilion will accommodate 150 people seated, or 300 people standing, and will have public restrooms – the first at the preserve. In addition to looking for ways to generate long-term income, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve looks for grants to help with immediate needs and special projects. Since 2007, the preserve has received four grants through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Five Star Urban Waters Restoration Grant program, with support from Alabama Power, Southern Company, the Southern Environmental Center, FWLT and BSC. The first grant, in 2007, helped to develop an eco- friendly parking area. Before it was built, cars parked on the slopes of the banks, causing significant erosion along the creek. As part of the new parking area, a bioswale, with gravel and vegetation, was built at the edge of the lot to slow and filter rainwater runoff from the parking area and lessen the amount of contaminants entering the river. The next Five Star grant, received in 2012, funded in- stream and stream bank restoration of the endangered vermillion darter habitat following the removal of a small, poured concrete dam. The 1920s-era dam had been built to provide a commercial fishing and swimming hole. Following the dam's removal, 500 native trees, shrubs and grass plugs were planted to provide stream bank stabilization and an important riparian and forested habitat. The following year, the preserve was awarded a Five Star grant to begin planning and building the pavilion scheduled to open this year. Included in the scope of the project was development of a stream bank access point and both in-stream and stream bank restoration near the pavilion. The grant allowed the preserve to hire part-time education staff to enhance outreach at the preserve and within the community. The most recent Five Star grant, now underway, supports the removal of invasive plant species within nine acres of the preserve, to help enhance the habitat of the northern long-eared bat. Invasive species, such as Chinese wisteria, English ivy and Chinese privet, will be removed, and rye grass and native plant species will be planted to stabilize the soil and develop appropriate habitat for the bat. In addition, funds were awarded for the development of a bioswale and native plant garden at the Turkey Creek pavilion, and provide continued support of part-time education staff at the preserve. "We're lucky we have great support from the community and volunteers to make our work possible," said Yeager. "I don't know of anywhere – relative in size and space – in the U.S. with more endangered species." To get involved, contact Yeager at cyeager@bsc.edu or call 205-680-4116. The preserve is at 3906 Turkey Creek Road, Pinson, Alabama 35126. More information can be found at hps://turkeycreeknp.com/. Photo by Erin Harney Photo by Phil Free Visitors enjoy the cool waters as well as the scenery of the park.

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