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RIVER TO GAP

From the Tennessee River to Blevins Gap – Protecting a Corridor of Life

For over two decades, the Land Trust of North Alabama has pursued a visionary conservation strategy to protect Green Mountain’s ecological integrity in South Huntsville.

Through careful planning and strategic acquisitions, we have assembled a network of protected lands that safeguard critical habitats, water resources, and recreational opportunities for our rapidly growing community.

The River to Gap vision seeks to create a continuous conservation corridor from the Tennessee River’s edge to the ridgeline of Green Mountain, ensuring:

  • Wildlife can move freely across diverse habitats

  • The watershed supplying clean water to thousands of residents is protected

  • Generations of people can enjoy trails and natural spaces in North Alabama

THE VISION

Imagine a place where the river meets the mountain, and wildlife and people move freely through connected landscapes.

Envision a permanently preserved corridor of life, a natural place where connections are made and our unique sense of place is displayed. Envision a place that binds us together with trails and provides a migration corridor and habitat for wildlife to safely travel and flourish.

Connecting the River to the Gap would provide such a place. It would connect the life-giving waters of the Tennessee River to our mountain top vistas. It would skirts rocky outcroppings that shelter some of our tiniest creatures. It leads you through groves of wild azaleas, trillium, and phlox that punctuate the new green of spring.

Preserving the Connections Before They’re Gone

A 65-acre parcel has become available that sits directly between existing protected lands and represents an important missing link in our River to Gap conservation corridor. Located just north of Green Mountain Road, this acquisition would create an unbroken protected area from Blevins Gap Nature
Preserve to the new Green Mountain Trail at Riverview. It will ensure that the natural character and scenic beauty that draws us to Green Mountain will be preserved forever.

Together, we can make the River to Gap vision a reality.

Just as our community came together decades ago to preserve Monte Sano, we can do the same today. By uniting our efforts, we can:

  • Fund the purchase and preservation of lands that connect this vital corridor

  • Protect the community by preventing incompatible development

  •  Expand the hiking and recreation opportunities that make our area special

  • Expand the unbroken wildlife corridor that brings nature to our doorstep

  • Ensure water quality protection for the streams and springs that flow through our neighborhood