CLAY COUNTY, Ala. – The Conservation Fund announced on Wednesday, May 27 the protection of 1,446 acres along the southern boundary of Talladega National Forest, expanding public access for outdoor recreation while strengthening wildlife habitat in east Alabama.
The newly protected land in Clay County has been permanently added to Talladega National Forest through funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The project received support from U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, along with U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
According to The Conservation Fund, the acquisition secures ecologically significant forestland near the Pinhoti Trail and the Hollins Wildlife Management Area. Officials said the addition will improve access for hunting, hiking, and other recreational activities while helping preserve scenic views along the Pinhoti Trail, which serves as the southern extension of the Appalachian Trail.
The project also closes a key gap along the forest’s southern boundary, improving landscape connectivity and allowing for more unified land management within the region.
“This project expands access to one of Alabama’s most treasured outdoor landscapes while protecting the natural resources that make it so special,” said Stacy Funderburke, Vice President of the central Southeast region at The Conservation Fund.
The property has been conveyed to the U.S. Forest Service and will be managed in part through the Hollins Wildlife Management Area, which is known for deer and turkey hunting opportunities.
Funding for the acquisition came through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was permanently funded through the Great American Outdoors Act signed into law in 2020. The program uses a portion of offshore energy revenues to support conservation and recreation projects nationwide.
Britt said the acquisition would help preserve Alabama’s outdoor resources for future generations, while Rogers said the project is expected to boost outdoor tourism in Clay County and surrounding communities.
The Conservation Fund is a national nonprofit organization focused on land conservation and sustainable community development.
