Biodiversity

A higher number of species often indicates a healthier, more resilient environment. As priority conservation areas, our greenspaces support a diverse range of organisms, from endangered species like the Vermilion Darter in Turkey Creek to common species like the Southern Red Oak at Red Mountain Park. Protecting this biodiversity is essential to preserving the ecological and natural beauty of these landscapes for future generations.

American woodcock (Scolopax minor) (Priority 2)
Kentucky warbler (Oporornis formosus) (Priority 2)
Swainson’s warbler (Limnothylypis swainsonii) (Priority 2)
Wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) (Priority 2)
Worm-eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) (Priority 2)

Cahaba Shiner (Notropis cahabae) (Priority 1)
Coal Darter (Percina brevicauda) (Priority 2)
Rush Darter (Etheostoma phytophilum) (Priority 1)
Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki) (Priority 1)
Watercress Darter (Etheostoma nuchale) (Priority 1)

Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) (Priority 1)
Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) (Priority 2)
Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) (Priority 1)

Alabama chinquapin (Castanea alabamensis)
Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila)
American chestnut (Castanea dentata)
Appalachian rose gentian (Sabatia capitata) (S2)
Eared coneflower (Rudbeckia auriculata) (S2)
Southern twayblade (Neottia bifolia) (S2)
Spring coralroot (Corallorhiza wisteriana) (S2)
Three flower hawthorn (Crataegus triflora) (S2)

Flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus) (Priority 2)