Friends of Shades Creek
Spotted Salamander, Marbled Salamander
Upcoming Events
September 25, 2021 – Shades Creek Clean-up. Send your name to sign up for our clean up this year: [email protected]
Sign up for weekly – E-Messages – information, activities, hikes, videos and more: [email protected]
The Middle Way
The new Homewood Valley Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton displays a mural painting in the lobby by local artist, Tres Taylor, called “The Middle Way.” The painting tells a story about local history and features salamanders with flora and fauna from the Homewood and Shades Creek area.
>Find the story here.
Photo by Tom Mann, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Salamander Festival
The next Salamander Festival is scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022. More details to come later. The 2021 (17th) Annual Salamander Festival took place virtually January 30, 2021 and went through the month of February. Over 35 festival links are available including stories and information about salamanders: Click here for 2021 virtual festival video links. Also photos from 2020, 16th annual Festival . . .
Climate Impacts to Southeastern Rivers
September 9, 7:00 – Via Zoom
Dr. R. Scot Duncan, Biology Professor at Birmingham Southern College
Presentation: Southeastern Rivers: Challenges and Solutions
Meeting can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/tDfUNZZwh9g
2021 presentations are with Zoom.
Click for listing of 2021 programs.
Sign up for our meetings and weekly E-Messages. Send your email address to: [email protected]
Lakeshore Drive photo
from Shades Creek book
“Shades Creek: Flowing Through Time” It took over three years to write this book about Shades Creek. The Birmingham Historical Society consider this one of their most important publications to date, says Marjorie White, Birmingham Historical Society executive director. Books are still available for only $30. Send your check with name and address to: 401 Woodland Dr., Homewood, AL 35209
For book information click here.
Shades Creek Watershed Management Plan
Shades Creek is beautiful, yet has challenges caused by urban runoff. The Nature Conservancy in Alabama (TNC) has taken leadership to develop a watershed plan to restore the Creek. The Shades Creek Watershed Management Plan uses EPA’s 9-step watershed planning process.
>Find meeting slides and more watershed plan information.
2021 Shades Creek Fall Cleanup
The Fall 2021 Shades Creek Cleanup will take place on Saturday, Sep. 25. It will be held in person with small groups of volunteers that are time staggered for social distancing. To sign up, send your name, phone number, and preferred time to start (8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45, 9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, 10:00). Also, your choice of jobs: trash pickup, restoration planting, vine clipping, weed whacking around native seedlings, or other options. You are also welcome to select a different date to clean up on Shades Creek or your community. Send to: [email protected]
View clean up photos . . .
Mr. Shadey is telling us a lot about trash in Shades Creek – Click here. . .
Forest Planting with Centennial Trees
Centennial Tree seedlings are propagated from local seed sources of trees descended from the original native forest surrounding Shades Creek. The seedlings are being grown at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Friends of Shades Creek conducts annual tree seedling plantings on the first Saturday in November in collaboration with Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Samford University and the City of Homewood Environmental Commission. More details. . .