The Club, Inc.
1 Robert S. Smith Dr.
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
United States
Date & Time
Friday, 11/13/2026
6:00pm CDT
-
9:00pm CDT
Add to Calendar
11/13/2026 06:00:00 PM11/13/2026 09:00:00 PMAmerica/ChicagoFreshwater Fête: from Idea to ImpactFreshwater Land Trust is proud to announce the celebration of its 30th anniversary, recognizing three decades of work protecting Central Alabama’s natural resources and connecting communities to the outdoors. Since 1996, FLT has helped conserve environmentally significant lands, improve water quality, expand public access to trails and greenspaces, and advance projects that strengthen both ecological health and quality of life across the region.
Freshwater Fête will take place on Friday, November 13. The milestone occasion will honor the organization’s three significant decades of progress while bringing together supporters and partners to invest in the organization’s next chapter. To read more about our 30th, where we started, and what's to come, visit our blog page.
The Club, Inc. 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Freshwater Land Trust is proud to announce the celebration of its 30th anniversary, recognizing three decades of work protecting Central Alabama’s natural resources and connecting communities to the outdoors. Since 1996, FLT has helped conserve environmentally significant lands, improve water quality, expand public access to trails and greenspaces, and advance projects that strengthen both ecological health and quality of life across the region.
Freshwater Fête will take place on Friday, November 13. The milestone occasion will honor the organization’s three significant decades of progress while bringing together supporters and partners to invest in the organization’s next chapter. To read more about our 30th, where we started, and what's to come, visit our blog page.
Freshwater Land Trust is proud to announce the celebration of its 30th anniversary, recognizing three decades of work protecting Central Alabama’s natural resources and connecting communities to the outdoors. Since 1996, FLT has helped conserve environmentally significant lands, improve water quality, expand public access to trails and greenspaces, and advance projects that strengthen both ecological health and quality of life across the region.
Freshwater Fête will take place on Friday, November 13. The milestone occasion will honor the organization’s three significant decades of progress while bringing together supporters and partners to invest in the organization’s next chapter. To read more about our 30th, where we started, and what's to come, visit our blog page.
Our 30th Anniversary Celebration is a tribute to historical accomplishments and a turning point for the future. Funds raised will support FLT’s goals for the next 30 years:
Protect 30,000 additional acres of land throughout Central Alabama, conserving environmentally significant spaces in over 14 counties to reach our 50,000-acre milestone.
Complete the Red Rock Action Plan’s 36-mile connected trail loop around the greater Birmingham metro, boosting the Red Rock Trail System® to over 200 walkable and bikeable miles in Jefferson County.
Open six new publicly accessible properties across our region, doubling our existing ones and creating more landmark spaces facilitated by FLT, such as Red Mountain Park and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.
Founding (1996)
Freshwater Land Trust, initially the Black Warrior-Cahaba Rivers Land Trust, was established as the result of a court-enforced settlement following large-scale wastewater pollution in Jefferson County waterways. The organization’s first 4,000 acres were acquired along the Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers to protect habitat and improve water quality in the affected watersheds—the primary sources of drinking water for citizens of Jefferson County and much of Central Alabama. Photo: Cahaba River
Freshwater Land Trust is an enthusiastic supporter of Red Mountain Park and its management. FLT is incredibly proud of having played an integral role in creating Red Mountain Park, in partnership with U.S. Steel and a slew of major funders.
In 2016, FLT purchased 225 acres on Double Oak Mountain, totaling two miles of ridgeline seen by several communities throughout Dunnavant Valley in fast developing Shelby County. This ridgeline is biologically significant to the unbroken Appalachian Mountain chain, supporting habitat for over 250 birds, 78 mammals, 58 reptiles and 76 amphibians and over 6,300 plant species including dense pockets of trout lilies and trillium, as well as mosses and ferns.
The Rotary Trail is celebrating its 10th year! In April 2016, the four-block Rotary Trail located downtown, including its iconic Magic City trailhead, was completed as a gift to City of Birmingham from the Rotary Club celebrating its centennial year. This iconic trail remains a favorite along the Red Rock Trail System. Photo by AirFowl Photography.
FLT acquired its first conservation easement in Coosa County in 2022: 1129 acres along the Coosa River containing a significant population of the rare Cahaba Lily.
In April 2025, FLT opened its fifth public access property, Mardis Mill Falls, in Blount County. Progress continues to improve entry to the Locust Fork River, including upgrading access with parking, signage, and accessibility additions.
In 2023, the two-mile extension of the Five Mile Creek Greenway opens in the City of Brookside, making it the longest Red Rock Trail. Photo by Meg McKinney.
The Red Rock Action Plan, released in 2023, is a 15-year strategic plan to develop 19-miles of new trails, ultimately creating a 36-mile loop around the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area. The plan identifies seven priority projects, that when combined with existing Red Rock Trails, will connect the Cities of Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, Irondale, Midfield, and Mountain Brook.
Every fall, FLT organizes the Endangered Species Tour, bringing 60+ partners and attendees to sites inhabited by federally endangered darter fish to learn about the collective efforts to protect them. Photo by Faith Apostolic Church.
In 2026, FLT added prescribed fire to its stewardship plan. Burns have been completed at two conservation properties: Five Mile Creek CU1 and Mardis Mill Falls.
Support FLT's ambitious next chapter through sponsorship or by purchasing tickets.
What to expect at the event
Immersive storytelling, recognition of honored individuals, and exciting updates paired with dinner, a live auction, and music. Freshwater Fete will highlight FLT’s journey “From Idea to Impact”—a theme that captures our evolution from a single moment into a driving force for regional change.
Attire: Adventure formal/ comfy cocktail.
Send support via check
If you wish to sponsor the event but prefer to pay by check, you may do so by clicking the link below. We will then contact you with your ticket information.
The Club, Inc.
1 Robert S. Smith Dr.
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
United States
Date & Time
Friday, 11/13/2026
6:00pm CDT
-
9:00pm CDT
Add to Calendar
11/13/2026 06:00:00 PM11/13/2026 09:00:00 PMAmerica/ChicagoFreshwater Fête: from Idea to ImpactFreshwater Land Trust is proud to announce the celebration of its 30th anniversary, recognizing three decades of work protecting Central Alabama’s natural resources and connecting communities to the outdoors. Since 1996, FLT has helped conserve environmentally significant lands, improve water quality, expand public access to trails and greenspaces, and advance projects that strengthen both ecological health and quality of life across the region.
Freshwater Fête will take place on Friday, November 13. The milestone occasion will honor the organization’s three significant decades of progress while bringing together supporters and partners to invest in the organization’s next chapter. To read more about our 30th, where we started, and what's to come, visit our blog page.
The Club, Inc. 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Getting There
The Club, Inc.
1 Robert S. Smith Dr.
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
United States
