Samford University has received grants
totaling $42,000 to assist with the revitalization of neighboring
Shades Creek. The grants will help return the creek and surrounding
area to its natural state for use as an outdoor biology classroom.
The Hugh Kaul Foundatioin donated $20,000 for the project to eradicate
non-native plant species such as kudzu and privet and replant native
species such as azaleas and mountain laurel. The Alabama Power Foundation
Tree Assistance Program gave $2,000 to purchase approximately 40
trees to be planted alongside Shades Creek. Earlier, the Community
Foundation of Greater Birmingham made a starter grant of $20,000
to the project.
Samford's Vulcan Materials Center for Environmental Stewardship
and Department of Biology undertook the project earlier in conjunction
with Friends of Shades Creek, Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Birmingham
Audubon Society. Samford Biology professors Larry Davenport and
Ron Jenkins, and Vulcan Center program administrator Connie Lankford
manage the Shades Creek project.
Samford's Board of Trustees recently declared the Shades Creek
area to be a bird sanctuary, and Samford is sponsoring mile 12 of
the upcoming Mercedes Marathon, which includes the Shades Creek
greenway, in part to call attention to the importance of environmental
stewardship.
(story originally published in The
Belltower) |
