If you enjoy hiking, walking, and biking the trails and greenways around Birmingham, you should know about the Red Rock Trail System®. An initiative by the Freshwater Land Trust, the Red Rock Trail System will connect green spaces in Jefferson County through a vast 750-mile network of trails and greenways. Conservationist Carolyn Buck is spearheading this effort.
Carolyn’s passion for the Red Rock Trail System is contagious. “If you want to get outside but loathe the idea of being more than a few blocks from a coffee shop, check out our urban trails,” Carolyn tells us. “If you don’t want to encounter another person for a few hours, check out some of our great hiking trails. There is truly something for everyone!”
Meet Carolyn and get to know the important work she’s doing on the Red Rock Trail System!
First, tell us about yourself! How did you find your way to this work?
I am originally from Texas and studied Environmental Science at Baylor University (Sic ‘em Bears!). I have worked for several different environmental organizations during my career, but my favorite is the Freshwater Land Trust, a local nonprofit doing amazing conservation work throughout Central Alabama.
As a nature and animal lover, I am passionate about conservation. But I recognize there are a lot of people out there who are less than enthusiastic about the natural world. That is why I love working on the Red Rock Trail System. It’s an ambitious project with a mission to create outdoor spaces that anyone can enjoy.
Tell us all about the Red Rock Trail System.
The Red Rock Trail System is a network of existing and proposed recreational and alternative transportation trails throughout Jefferson County with the goal of connecting every person to a green space within one mile of their home.
While the ultimate vision is a 750-mile trail system, Freshwater Land Trust is currently focusing on a 36-mile trail loop around the greater Birmingham metropolitan area that will connect the Cities of Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, and Irondale via multi-use trails. (The proposed trail loop can be seen here.)
We currently have five active trail projects that will result in almost 15 miles of new trails in the Birmingham region!
What are some of the challenges you and the FLT have come up against?
Trails are large capital projects that require significant time and money to build. Alabama, unlike many of our neighboring states, does not have a sustained source of funding for trail construction or maintenance. Therefore, our biggest challenge is finding funding to build new trails. Luckily, Freshwater Land Trust and our partners have become very creative and skilled at leveraging local funds with federal funding opportunities to keep the trail system growing.
What has been most rewarding about working on the trail system?
Building a trail is no easy feat. I am not exaggerating when I say blood, sweat, and tears go into these projects. However, unlike other jobs, we are lucky that we get to see the fruits of our labor. It is one of my greatest joys to see people using the trails I have helped build.
As the Director of the Red Rock Trail System, my job is to help municipalities and trail groups build trails in their communities. My favorite so far has been the Five Mile Creek Greenway, a rail-to-trail project in North Jefferson County. When I joined the Freshwater Land Trust, the Mayors of six municipalities had been working for almost two decades to acquire an abandoned rail line to convert into a trail.
Being with those Mayors when they finally purchased the rail corridor will always be my favorite trail memory, although celebrating the subsequent trail openings comes in at a close second. While we still have a lot of work left to do, the 8.25-mile Five Mile Creek Greenway is the longest trail in the Red Rock system.
Can you share some of the other important work the Freshwater Land Trust is doing?
In addition to our trail initiatives, Freshwater Land Trust serves as the “keeper” of many endangered fish species in Central Alabama. The work our Conservation and Stewardship teams are doing to conserve and improve darter fish habitats, especially around Turkey Creek, has been incredibly exciting to see! If you are interested in our endangered species work, please join us for the Endangered Species tour on September 20, 2024. Event details are on our website.
How can readers support the FLT and Red Rock Trail System efforts?
Freshwater Land Trust is a small but mighty nonprofit. My guess is that many readers don’t personally know our organization, but I guarantee they have experienced and enjoyed outdoor opportunities thanks to our work! I highly encourage people to follow our social media accounts or sign up for our e-newsletter to learn more about our land conservation and trail-building efforts. I am obviously biased, but I think we are working on some of the most exciting projects in our region.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Hike, read, or desperately try to convince my family that Puzzle Night is just as fun as Movie Night.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
The Red Rock Trail System has had a lot of momentum over the last two years thanks to several large federal grants (including the largest Department of Transportation grant ever awarded in the State of Alabama!). It’s been exciting to see other people learn about the projects we have been chipping away at for years; their enthusiasm is breathing new life into our work.
What is your best piece of advice?
Physically show up for your loved ones; it means more in person. Also, it’s hot. Drink more water; you are probably dehydrated.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Three things you can’t live without:French fries, a large Coke, and a Kindle full of books
Last delicious local meal: Eggplant parmesan from Gianmarco’s.
Favorite place to vacation? One of life’s greatest pleasures is waking up in a place you have never been, so I don’t have one favorite place to visit. I am game to go anywhere at any time.
Your go-to gift to give: Wine or a dinner out; I don’t want to add to anyone’s clutter.
Favorite recent TV show binge: I have a 7-year-old, so I am sad to say the only series I have watched lately is Unicorn Academy.
Book(s) on your bedside table: I am late to the party, but The Poisonwood Bible.
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Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
