Explore your backyard: Connect with nature across Jefferson County

Jefferson County Greenways is asking for the community’s help. As revitalization efforts move forward at East Side Park in east Birmingham, more than 60,000 Alabama native plants are needed for five distinct ecoregions planned for the park, creating one of the most diverse native landscapes in Jefferson County — and you can help make it happen!

Have you missed stepping into the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to cool off after a hike? Well, we’ve missed you too! Over the past few months, our Nature Center has undergone quite the transformation. We’re happy to announce its reopening with the newly completed treetop patio and more exciting news to share.

We want to welcome our newest members to Jefferson County Greenways and recognize those who have continued their membership through renewal. Together, we protect these natural spaces where nature, history, and community come together.

In November of 2024, Jefferson County Greenways staff gathered with a dads’ group from United Ability to share about our plans to redevelop East Side Park into a universally accessible nature space. We were there to gather feedback from these parents, whose children’s level of disability ranged from mild — meaning their child had a strong degree of independence — to severe, where the child needs life-long care and whose disability impacts every aspect of their ability to participate in the world.