Huntsville, AL – Alabama A&M University and Land Trust of North Alabama have partnered to expand the existing trail network at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve. The University owns approximately 225 acres adjoining the northern boundary of the Land Trust’s newest public preserve. This property includes some existing trails that are occasionally used for student projects but are not actively maintained. Near the end of June, the Alabama A&M Board of Trustees approved a trail license agreement allowing Land Trust of North Alabama to construct and maintain trails on their property.
“We welcome this opportunity to partner with the Land Trust of North Alabama,” commented Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., president of Alabama A&M University. “This collaboration is particularly exciting because of the unique opportunities it will provide our students to become actively engaged in trail creation and preservation, as well as environmental research.”
A preliminary trail plan adds an estimated three miles of new trails that will connect to the current three mile Land Trust trail system on Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, which opened earlier this year. Public access to the new trails on Alabama A&M property will be available through the Land Trust’s trailhead located just east of Huntsville on HWY 72.
“The Land Trust has partnered with Alabama A&M in the past on scientific endeavors but this project allows us to work together in a new way and hopefully enhance environmental education opportunities in the process,” said Marie Bostick, Land Trust of North Alabama’s Executive Director. “We hope to involve the university’s students in the trail construction project as well as establish a volunteer partnership for long-term maintenance of A&M trails.”
In addition to creating an expanded venue for outdoor recreation for the community as a whole, this partnership will provide a convenient space for students to further explore topics like forestry, wildlife, and other environmental or scientific studies.
For more information, please contact the Land Trust of North Alabama at 256-534-5263 or questions@landtrustnal.org.