The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is a 9,016-acre (36 km) National Wildlife Refuge located in northeastern Alabama near the city of Anniston on the former site of Fort McClellan . Its name comes from some of the last remaining montane longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) ecosystem in the southeastern United States which the refuge protects.
7-486: Approximately 3,000 acres (12km) of the refuge are open to the public during daylight hours. The remaining acreage will open after clean-up of environmental contaminants has been completed. The facility has a small, two-person staff with an annual budget of US$ 250,000. Plans call for a budget of approximately US$ 900,000 with a ten-person staff. The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge also administers
14-514: A home to multiple endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker , the gray bat , plus 21 species of fauna which are considered rare. Plant species warranting special attention include the longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ), the white fringeless orchid , and 11 species of flora which are considered rare. The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is a relatively new wildlife refuge, and as such has not yet developed any sizable tourist facilities. A single information kiosk for hunters
21-758: Is administered by the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston, Alabama . The refuge extends from just north of the confluence of the Little Cahaba and Cahaba Rivers to the Piper Bridge in Bibb county , approximately five miles east of West Blocton, Alabama . Approximately 3.5 miles (6 km) of the Cahaba River flow through the refuge. The refuge lies at the far southwestern end of
28-464: Is located at the junction of Bain's Gap Road and Ridge Road South. Additionally, part of the reserve is closed to the general public pending environmental cleanup. Otherwise, there are limited opportunities for hiking, photography, and wildlife observation at the refuge. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,689.63 acres (15 km ) National Wildlife Refuge located in central Alabama , along
35-556: The Appalachian mountain chain. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is a critical habitat for the endangered Cahaba shiner , goldline darter , round rocksnail , and cylindrical lioplax . There are also 64 other rare plant and animal species within its borders. It is home to Hymenocallis coronaria , a threatened plant species known in Alabama as the Cahaba lily. Its abundant presence here
42-460: The Cahaba River downstream from Birmingham, Alabama . The refuge was established on September 25, 2002. Additional purchases were approved that will potentially increase the size of the refuge to 7,300 acres (29.5 km ). Additional negotiations propose an expansion to a potential 280,000 acres (1,100 km ), most of which currently belongs to private landowners. The facility is unstaffed, but
49-666: The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge . The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is located on the former military training grounds of Fort McClellan . The refuge is located on the Choccolocco mountain range, in the southern portion of Ridge and Valley of the Appalachians . It is a part of the Talladega National Forest . The refuge serves as
#399600