Category: St. Clair Outdoors

Perseverance’s payoff: Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve ready for visitors

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Mackenzie Free

It was a word repeated early and often in what would become a decade-long journey to Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve – “perseverance.”

But on a clear, Spring-like day in February, close to 400 people witnessed just how perseverance paid off.

It was billed as a ribbon cutting. What it became was testament to what can happen when visionaries don’t give up.

The much anticipated, much heralded Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve officially opened, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of many more. This 422-acre slice of Alabama nature tucked away alongside a pristine creek in Springville blends miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding and just plain enjoying nature.

Plants, flowers, trees of all descriptions dot the landscape. A crystal-clear creek meanders through the heart of it. Below its surface, rare aquatic species have found a home. Towering trees form the ideal canopy for the trails below.

It’s a scene no doubt played and replayed in the vision of people like Doug Morrison, whose passion to preserve, protect and share nature’s gem never ceased. Perseverance.

It’s a scene where one by one, a burgeoning army joined in the advocacy, embracing the vision. The Friends of Big Canoe Creek, Dean Goforth, St. Clair Economic Development Council, Springville City Council, St. Clair County Commission, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division, Freshwater Land Trust, Forever Wild, Nature Conservancy and Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners became an unstoppable coalition of noteworthy impact on generations to come. Perseverance.

And it’s a scene where a new journey began once those gates opened, drawing multitudes now and in the future to – as Morrison puts it – “explore and discover” the natural treasures found within its borders. Again, perseverance.

The day following the ribbon cutting, the gates opened officially to the public for its very first day, Feb. 3, and 731 streamed in throughout the day. That’s over 1,000 people in just two days, and the enthusiasm and allure have shown no signs of slowing since.

Springville Mayor Dave Thomas said he had not visited for about two weeks after the opening and decided to check in one morning. The upper parking lot was full, and the traffic kept coming. “It was 10 o’clock in the morning on a Thursday,” he said, the note of surprise evident in his voice.

At the opening, Morrison talked of the Alabama Forever Wild program and the wonder of its impact on the future. “They are taking this property and buying it to set aside for people forever. It will be for this community from now on.”

The abundance of biodiversity is now protected. “We really are blessed here,” Morrison said.

A main focus of the preserve, in addition to its recreational value, will be its education component. No sooner had the ribbon been cut than the first education outreach program was announced – a turkey call expo.

Youths from all over were invited for a day of learning all about turkey calls, making them and enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor classrooms will be a hallmark of the preserve.

Thomas called the preserve “a fantastic opportunity to protect the ecosystem and promote conservation education among students and parents. This will be generational. It will outlive us all.”

Commission Chairman Stan Batemon, who was a game warden in his professional career, knows firsthand from both roles the benefits and potential of the preserve. “This is the ground level of economic development,” he told the crowd. He talked of young people and an emphasis on work ethic through groups like the Cattlemen’s Association and 4-H, which can use the preserve as a resource for “building up and creating a workforce.”

And Morrison centered on a community of people who came together around a common good. When skills and expertise were needed in each area along the journey’s way, he recounted, community stepped up to make it happen. Whether it was securing the land, building a website, painting, paving, addressing environmental needs, carpentry, trail design, providing funding or dozens of other issues, someone always came forward.

“People in this community care,” Morrison said as he reflected on years ago when he and wife, Joannie, moved to Springville, his home on the banks of Big Canoe Creek. “Destiny brought us here, honey,” he told her.

And perseverance brought the preserve to this moment.

Key Players

A project of this magnitude had to have a team. When their number was called over the past decade en route to opening day, these agencies all played a role in acquiring and transforming the Preserve into a winner:

• City of Springville
• St. Clair County Commission
• St. Clair Economic Development Council
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division
• Alabama Freshwater Land Trust
• Alabama Forever Wild
• The Friends of Big Canoe Creek
• Coosa Riverkeeper
• Norris Paving / Granger Waid
• Schoel Engineering / Joey Breighner
• Alabama Metal Arts
• Tracery Stone
• Sterling Iron Works

Major Contributors

• EBSCO
• Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
• G.T. LaBorde
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Mackenzie Free

Curiosity got the best of Granger Waid, and Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is lucky it did. Same holds true for Joey Breighner. And again, the preserve was on the receiving end of this lucky charm.

Their names often pop up when Preserve Manager Doug Morrison recounts the contributions the pair made to transform the preserve into nature’s gift to all who visit.

“Early on, the preserve seemed to be some type of clandestine operation hidden behind poorly secured cattle gates,” Waid said, recalling his morning commute past the 422-acre site. “It always begged the question, ‘What is going on with this place?’

“One day my curiosity overtook me. I parked at the gate and started walking. Following the little iron ore-stained trickle upstream, I came across an old spring house with remnants of the old home place on the hill above. I thought to myself, “What is going on with this place?”

That was four years ago. Fast forward three years, and Waid was at a pre-bid conference for his company, Norris Paving. The conference was for a new parking lot being installed at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. He finally asked his “nagging question” about Big Canoe Creek of Charles Yeager, Turkey Creek’s manager, and his response was, “You need to meet my buddy, Doug.”

Morrison and Waid met, he toured the property and saw the potential. “Doug shared his vision for the preserve, and I saw that it could be something truly special. I knew right then I wanted to be a part of it.”

It is much the same story for Breighner. He came. He saw. He got involved.

“I was familiar with the preserve, but when Doug invited me to the preserve and seeing his passion for the project, I immediately became interested and seeing where I may be able to contribute,” said Breighner, an engineer by trade.  “After a tour of the preserve, I saw quickly where there were land surveying and engineering needs where we could jump in and help.”     

Lucky for the preserve, both men’s expertise matched their enthusiasm, and they went to work. “I had no idea that it would turn into a full-blown passion project,” said Waid, who also holds degrees in landscape and horticulture. “My wife would call it an obsession, but she gets me, and is one of the few who sees that it’s more to me than building a parking lot and putting plants in the ground,” he said.

“Nature is a necessity for me,” he continued. “There is a healing power in the sound of running water, and sometimes a sturdy oak’s trunk is the best shoulder to cry on. So, I’m all for the preservation of wild lands, because a quiet walk in the woods may be the only under-prescribed medication in America.”

Breighner, too, talks of the healing effect of this particular project. “It’s always gratifying to look back – and forward in this case – on a project where you may have had an impact or feel you have made some contribution. 

“The vision had already been cast; we came in and helped where we could, working directly with Doug, the City of Springville, and the site contractor,” Breighner recalled.  “As professionals, we are often cautious about projects we support and involve ourselves with. However, after an in-depth introduction to the preserve and an understanding of the short-and long-term vision, it became quickly obvious that this was a project that I wanted to be part of and contribute to.”

The skills Schoel possesses as a company in the field of engineering and land surveying was “a great fit,” Breighner said.  “There will be a life-long connection to both the preserve and the people we have been able to work with.”   

Waid’s personal philosophy melded with his professional ability, he said, sharing a story of his own.  “At our wedding, we gave away tiny ‘Snowflake’ Hydrangeas and said, ‘Let love Grow.’ You can’t take a building seed and plant it to share,” he said.

“Buildings don’t grow with age, they don’t change colors in the fall, or bloom in the spring. You can’t eat them – well, maybe gingerbread houses – and they certainly don’t get to be 100 feet tall all by themselves. Landscapes evolve. They are four dimensional. Having the ability to see a space that doesn’t exist, from every angle, at all times of the year, imagining its future, and combining it with paving, concrete, stone, and steel is a unique skill set that I guess I have.”

He had to have a little help, of course. He likens it to a recipe, adding “a fleet of GPS machine-controlled heavy equipment, a little AutoCAD, sprinkle on some engineering, and for something a lot bigger than shovel and wheelbarrow can produce. Just add diesel fuel and long hours.”

Waid noted that some of the earthwork had been done by the county, but it was clear there was not nearly enough parking. “We donated the men and equipment for a couple weeks and built the lower parking lot and expanded the upper parking lot.”

With Breighner’s help in engineering, “that led to the design and installation of the upper parking, roads and bioswale.”

What will be the preserve’s greatest impact going forward? “Some will say the economic impact in the community, an amenity for the city, others, the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, hiking, biking, horseback riding, etc.,” Breighner said. 

“I see the primary impact as having a nature preserve in St. Clair County, that will be held undeveloped, in perpetuity, with unimaginable diversity available for public enjoyment.  The Big Canoe Creek in itself, stands alone in the country with its biodiversity.” 

He wants others to have an opportunity to share his appreciation of what can be discovered and enjoyed there. “I have met some incredible folks and made some lifelong friends,” Waid said. “I’ve learned to appreciate the little critters that often get overlooked because they’re not on your hunting and fishing license. Like mussels and darters or sculpins, and salamanders.” 

And there’s more, he said. “Surrounding wooded areas filled with flora and fauna unique only to our region will be available to families and children forever. The diversity of the preserve will provide education opportunities for our children, research opportunities for academia that are available only in this region.”

Breighner talked of the trails with varied elevations providing different challenges for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. 

“With the preserve in its infancy, and much work left to be done, I don’t know if I can fully imagine the current and future impact the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve will have on this community and the surrounding areas.”  He looks forward to the future as it continues to grow, add amenities for visitors and, lucky for the preserve itself, “where I can work with the Nature preserve team.”

Waid captures his glimpse of the future like this: “My hope is to keep people curious. Wandering and wondering is important. Maybe they’ll take a moment to stop, lean against a tree and just soak it all in.

“I also hope that the Preserve will impact some kids and will recruit some apostles to go and spread the clean water gospel. We could use some more Loraxes in the future. The world has enough Oncelers,” he said, referring to Dr. Suess’ fictional characters in chronicling the plight of the environment.

“More than anything else, I hope people take a memory with them,” Waid said. “I grew up playing and fishing in Big Canoe Creek. I’m grateful for my dad, grandad, and uncle taking me to ‘the creek.’  I’ve watched my girls play in the creek. Hopefully I’m fortunate enough to take my future grandchildren to dip their feet in Big Canoe Creek, just like mine took me.”

Building the preserve a community effort

When you pass through the gates at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, know that many hands built it – maybe not physically, but nevertheless formed the foundation of it all.

Manager Doug Morrison is quick to tip his hat to a long list of people and organizations, who along the way, had a hand in making the preserve a reality.

Springville Mayor Dave Thomas, who encouraged the nonprofit formation, advocates for support of the preserve and the education component.

Commission Chairman Stan Batemon, consistent advocate during Forever Wild nomination process and through present day.

The Friends of Big Canoe Creek, the supporting organization at the beginning to preserve the land and nominated the acreage to Forever Wild.

Wendy Jackson, former executive director Freshwater Land Trust, pitched the idea of greenspace economic value to former Springville Mayor Butch Isley, Batemon and St. Clair Commission, who supported the effort that laid the groundwork.

Isley and Recreation Director Ashley Hay, secured grant from Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, which enabled original master plan.

Dean Goforth, businessman and owner of Homestead Hollow, facilitated navigation of governmental agencies to get the project moving through the process.

Richie Gudzan, a board member with Coosa Riverkeeper, who designed the new logo at no charge.

G.T. Laborde, a major contributor whose donations funded the website and other projects during construction.

Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners, the preserve’s board that has guided the process through to success.

Granger Waid/Norris Paving, prepared road for tar and gravel and raised the idea of reshaping the original plan and incorporating the bioswale in the upper parking area.

Joey Breighner/Schoel Engineering, created new master plan and map for free. Also worked closely with Granger Waid during reshaping of original plan.

Beau Jordan, painted the gate and information board for free.

Jaresiah Banks, major volunteer.

Lee Jeffrey, major volunteer.

Jill Chambers, major volunteer.

Bill Fuqua, who lives close to the Preserve, built and donated 25 bluebird houses.

Drexel Rafford, major volunteer who has helped on many projects and is the Park & Rec liaison for the Preserve worked closely with Jake Tucker, maintenance tech to build the information board at the gate.

Parks and Rec staff – Rick Hopkins, Austin Brower, Justin Parkman and Josh Miller – helped on many occasions.

Discover St. Clair Magazine, St. Clair Times and Trussville Tribune, consistent supporters that covered the journey since its first steps to raise awareness.

Organizations which contributed either through grants or donations:

• EBSCO
• BCBS of Alabama
• Coosa Riverkeeper
• KEBCO
• United Way of Central Alabama
• Amerex
• Walmart
• Lovejoy Realty
• All American Ford
• Sherwin Williams, which donated paint for the gate and info board at the entrance

Landscaping to protect and preserve

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Mackenzie Free
and Roxann Edsall
Submitted photos

It may look like just an ordinary landscaping job to many who park at the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville. There, in the middle of the parking area, is an island of landscaping. Lovely, but on the surface, unremarkable. It is, however, quite remarkable.

This is a bioswale, a highly efficient and aesthetically pleasing landscape engineering tool, whose job is to control stormwater and its resulting erosion and to limit the transference of pollutants. It functions a bit like a stormwater detention basin, but it looks far better.

Why is it needed? In areas with solid surfaces, like roads, driveways, and like BCCNP’s parking lot, storm water is not able to soak in, so it runs off, taking pollutants like oils, pesticides, micro garbage and cigarette butts with it. With enough rain, the volume of water takes these pollutants to grassy areas and to creeks.

Enter the bioswale. Graded to be lower than the rest of the parking area, it is essentially a trench, into which all the rainwater funnels. The trench contains perforated drainage pipes and layers of gravel, sand and organic materials to filter the pollutants before they are absorbed into the ground soil.

Flood and drought resistant plants are then placed into the area to keep the filter materials in place. Domed metal grates are tucked into planting areas on either end of the planting area to handle extreme volumes of water.

Granger Waid, vice president of Norris Paving and Excavating, worked with Joey Breighner and Schoel Engineering on the design and installation of BCCNP’s bioswale.

Waid used both his work experience with concrete and asphalt surfacing and his degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design to come up with a different design for the parking lot that would be both attractive and functional. “I drew it up with the help of Joey,” explains Waid. “We then were able to make my two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional one, so we could just plug it into a bulldozer, and it automatically graded the parking lot that way.”

Breighner and his crew gave Waid detailed specifications for the soil mixture to put on top of all the drainage layers. This “dirt recipe” was designed specifically for the native redbuds, sweet bay magnolias and pink muhly grass. Because it is a Forever Wild property, only plants approved as native to the state by a botanist from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources were allowed.

Since this bioswale is in the middle of a parking area in a remote setting, the plants had to be drought tolerant, but be able to survive in standing water. And they had to look good from all angles and in all seasons.

They do look good, but understanding the greater purpose makes them even more interesting.

Waid and the team at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve are working on a documentary on the bioswale and its function. Soon, visitors will be able to scan a QR code on a sign to connect to that information.

This landscape area is definitely not just a pretty space.

Editor’s Note: You can view the documentary at

bigcanoecreekpreserve.org/videos