Thank you to our members, for your help supporting the place that you love.

Frostweed (Verbisina virginica) reminds us that even in winter we can experience the magical beauty of native plants.

Frostweed (Verbisina virginica) reminds us that even in winter we can experience the magical beauty of native plants.

“Donating to Ruffner Mountain will not save the tri-colored bat, it will not ensure the king snake reigns, or preserve the Alabama Larkspur. Donating will not save any of those things, but it will help support the place that you already love, that you already visit. We cannot change the past. We can, however, build a future that protects and values the natural world…” - Carlee Sanford, Executive Director

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Nature Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday, November 23rd. However, our trails are open from dawn until dusk and we have public restrooms, and water fountains on the back porch pavilion.  We will reopen the Nature Center on Saturday, November 24th at 9:00 am.  From all of us at Ruffner, have a safe and happy holiday!

Bat Research on Ruffner

For the past few months, Ruffner Mountain has been, and will continue to be, a site for research conducted by Bat Conservation International (BCI) in conjunction with the United States Forest Service, Northern Arizona and the University of Winnipeg. This study is currently testing treatment options in mines that have tested positive for White-nose Syndrome (WNS) - a fungal disease that is devastating bat populations in North America.

This study, along with BCI. and their partners, have recently been announced as one of the recipients of the Bats for the Future Fund 2018 - a grant funded by The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Avangrid and Southern Company.

Ruffner wishes Bat Conservation International, Inc., their partners, and all of the recipients of the Bats for the Future Fund success in their endeavors.

We will keep everyone posted as the results of this study emerges. In the meantime, consider donating or becoming a member of Ruffner. You are not just helping a beautiful greenspace remain open -you are also supporting a location for groundbreaking research.

Nick Sharp of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with the Bat Conservation International subterranean research team and Ruffner staff

Nick Sharp of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with the Bat Conservation International subterranean research team and Ruffner staff

Happy Labor Day!

Ruffner's Nature Center will be open Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day. Stop by to say hello! Our trails, as always, are open from dawn to dusk. There will be no yoga at Ruffner Monday evening.

At Ruffner, we encourage everyone to get outside this Labor Day, whether it is at Red Mountain Park, Railroad Park, Vulcan Park and Museum, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, right here at Ruffner, or any green space you enjoy in our area. (Just make sure to check their hours of operation before you go!) 

If you love a green space, no matter who it may be, make sure to support it if you can. Every little bit helps.

Happy Labor Day!

Thank you for supporting the nocturnal world at Night Festival.

We appreciate all of our artists, musicians, vendors, board members, staff and volunteers who help to make Night Festival a success. A full recap can be found on our website at a later date, as well as our September 2018 newsletter. To recuperate and tidy up, the Nature Center will be closed Tuesday, July 24th, though our trails will be open from dawn to dusk. Artwork will be up at the Nature Center and available for purchase during the next few weeks. 

It is through individual donations and memberships that Ruffner can continue providing unique educational events such as Night Festival to the public for no entry fee. Please continue to support Ruffner by clicking here. We also ask that if you enjoy all of the green spaces Jefferson County has to offer, please consider supporting our neighbor and friend Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. More information can be found on our support page.

Thank you to Bob Farley for permission to use the following photographs:

1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35206 | 205.833.8264 info@ruffnermountain.org