Freshwater Land Trust

What Freshwater Land Trust does

Freshwater Land Trust (FLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Its mission is to conserve, connect, and care for land and water across Central Alabama, primarily Jefferson County. As of 2026, FLT has conserved more than 12,463 acres and developed 175 miles of the Red Rock Trail System, a regional network spanning the Cahaba River, Five Mile Creek, Jones Valley, Shades Creek, and Village Creek corridors, with a 750-mile master plan underway.

FLT's core service offerings are conservation easements, fee simple land donations, mitigation banks (e.g., the Locust Fork Mitigation Bank), and on-the-ground stewardship including habitat restoration, prescribed fire management, and the Project Litter Gitter in-stream trash-capture program. It operates publicly accessible nature preserves such as Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Red Mountain Park, Wildwood Preserve, and (as of February 2025) Mardis Mill Falls in Blount County. Programs are supported by an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer initiative, an annual Land Aid concert (16th year in 2025), a Freshwater Fête fundraising gala, and an annual Endangered Species Tour.

FLT is funded through charitable donations, foundation and government grants (notably a $500,000 EPA Trash-Free Waters grant in 2020), corporate sponsorships (Jay Industrial Repair, Alabama Power, McWane, Wells Fargo, Coca-Cola), and event proceeds. It is Land Trust Accreditation Commission certified and operates a community-led GTM model working with municipalities, landowners, agencies, and corporate partners. The organization has 11-50 employees and is governed by a Board of Directors and Junior Board.

Name

Freshwater Land Trust

Legal name

Freshwater Land Trust

Website

https://freshwaterlandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Freshwater Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that conserves land and develops trail networks across Central Alabama. It has protected over 12,463 acres, built 175 miles of the Red Rock Trail System, and partners with municipalities, landowners, corporations, and federal agencies on conservation and water-quality projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easements
• Trail system development
• Habitat restoration services
• Mitigation banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund land conservation efforts, trail development, and stewardship activities.
2. Grants: FLT receives government and foundation grants for conservation projects, including EPA grants like the $500,000 Trash-Free Waters grant over three years.
3. Event Sponsorships: Annual Land Aid concerts and other events generate revenue through ticket sales and corporate sponsorships from partners like Jay Industrial Repair and other companies.
4. Corporate Partners for Conservation: Corporate partnerships provide financial support in exchange for association with conservation efforts and environmental stewardship programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Freshwater Land Trust conserves, connects, and cares for land and water in Central Alabama. Its core activities include acquiring and stewarding conservation lands (over 12,463 acres), holding conservation easements, operating mitigation banks, developing the 175-mile Red Rock Trail System, running the Project Litter Gitter in-stream trash collection initiative, and managing public nature preserves. The organization funds this work through donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Freshwater Land Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that operates as a single, unified mission rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings include the Red Rock Trail System® (175-mile trail network), conservation easements, fee simple land donations, mitigation banks, and stewardship services including habitat restoration, prescribed fire, and the Project Litter Gitter initiative. The organization also maintains several conservation properties including Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Red Mountain Park, and Wildwood Preserve, while offering volunteer programs like Adopt-a-Trail and educational initiatives such as the annual Endangered Species Tour. Fundraising occurs through events including Land Aid concerts and the Freshwater Fête.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Red Rock Trail System: A 750-mile master plan of trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks in Jefferson County, AL, developed and managed by Freshwater Land Trust.

Products and services

• Red Rock Trail System A 175-mile trail system connecting communities throughout Jefferson County, Alabama, offering walking, hiking, biking, and outdoor recreation trails across multiple corridors. Open to the general public.
• Conservation Easements Legal agreements that protect land in perpetuity while allowing landowners to retain ownership, preserving habitat, water quality, and natural spaces. Offered to private landowners seeking tax benefits and legacy preservation.
• Fee Simple Donations Land donations where ownership is transferred entirely to Freshwater Land Trust for permanent conservation and protection. Used by landowners seeking full donation of their property for conservation purposes.
• Mitigation Banks Conservation properties that restore and preserve ecosystems such as wetlands and streams, allowing developers to purchase credits to offset environmental impacts. Includes the Locust Fork Mitigation Bank, a 111-acre restoration project.
• Project Litter Gitter In-stream trash collection devices that intercept floating litter from stormwater runoff to protect water quality in local waterways. Installed across multiple Jefferson County municipalities.
• Turkey Creek Nature Preserve A protected nature preserve home to endangered darter species including the Vermilion darter, featuring hiking trails and aquatic habitat. Open to the public.
• Red Mountain Park A major conservation and recreation property with extensive trail systems for hiking and biking in Jefferson County, Alabama.
• Adopt-a-Trail Program Volunteer initiative where groups adopt trail sections for regular maintenance including litter removal, pruning, and beautification projects. Open to individuals, community groups, and corporate teams.
• Endangered Species Tour Annual educational event showcasing protected habitats for endangered aquatic species including watercress darter, Birmingham darter, rush darter, and vermilion darter in Central Alabama. Open to the public and conservation partners.
• Land Aid Concert Annual benefit concert raising funds for land conservation and Red Rock Trail System development, featuring national music acts at Avondale Brewing Company.
• Freshwater Fête Annual fundraiser and tribute event celebrating Freshwater Land Trust's conservation achievements and anniversary milestones.
• Wildwood Preserve
• Habitat Restoration Services Stewardship work including invasive species removal, stream restoration, bank stabilization, and native vegetation planting to improve ecosystems. Conducted on FLT conservation properties and in partnership with landowners.
• Prescribed Fire Management Controlled burning programs to reduce wildfire risk, manage invasive species, and restore natural forest ecosystems on conservation properties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 175 trail miles developed through Red Rock Trail System
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

44 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Black Warrior RiverkeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for water quality protection and endangered species conservation. Collaborated on stream restoration projects, shared expertise on watercress darter habitat protection, and joint press releases on conservation efforts. Charlie Scribner, Executive Director, participates in Endangered Species Tours.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for endangered species recovery programs, habitat restoration, and conservation easements. USFWS has attributed $3 million to FLT for Roebuck Springs restoration and identified critical habitat for species like the Vermilion darter.
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for habitat restoration projects, including Roebuck Springs restoration and bank stabilization projects. Provided funding for Turkey Creek restoration work.
• Alabama AudubonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Scot Duncan from Alabama Audubon provided educational expertise during the 2025 Endangered Species Tour, relating aquatic ecosystem health to bird population declines.
• Alabama Forestry AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Endangered Species Tour 2025. Tyler Sibley discussed the association's role in education, sustainability, and regulation in the forestry industry.
• Alabama PowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDylan Shaw, biologist with Alabama Power, served as champion for rush darter during Endangered Species Tour 2025.
• Wilbanks Engineering and Environmental SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAssisted with stream restoration project and fish passage barrier fix at Seven Springs conservation property. Will undertake erosion and flood risk reduction project at Turkey Creek CU2.
• Tennessee Aquarium Conservation InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Bernie Kuhajda and team provided expertise for Endangered Species Tour and conservation efforts for darter species.
• Vulcan Materials CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted with stream restoration project at Seven Springs conservation property through funding and support.
• Jefferson County Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with FLT for prescribed burn at Five Mile Creek CU4 and funded litter gitter installations in Trussville and Brighton.
• Jefferson County Sheriff's DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on prescribed burn at Five Mile Creek CU4 for safety support during the controlled fire.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Five Mile Creek CU4 prescribed burn through Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding over three years. Supports habitat improvement activities including firebreak construction, prescribed fire, timber stand improvement, and invasive species control.
• Friends of the Locust Fork RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaring for Mardis Mill Falls since 2017 with regular trash collection, water quality testing, and advocacy. Supported FLT's acquisition of the property and ongoing preservation efforts.
• City of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner for trail development, conservation easements, and Project Litter Gitter. City co-sponsored litter gitter installations and partnered on Roebuck Springs restoration.
• City of PinsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty exchange partnership for Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. FLT gave 28 acres to the City and received 34-acre Dry Creek property in exchange.
• Blount CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLT's first publicly accessible property outside Jefferson County is in Blount County at Mardis Mill Falls. Plans to partner on trail improvements and maintenance.
• Girl Scouts of North-Central AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner29-acre conservation easement at Camp Coleman since 2003, protecting Cahaba River riparian buffers and woodland habitat. Partnership ensures protection for next 99 years.
• Jeffco GreenwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharles Yeager presented on conservation efforts at Turkey Creek, Red Mountain Park, and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve during Endangered Species Tour 2025.
• Birmingham-Southern College Southern Environmental CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and partnered on property exchange with City of Pinson.
• Jefferson County (for flood buyout properties)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLT acquired flood buyout properties from Jefferson County in 2014 for Turkey Creek stewardship, including grazing tracts where 800 trees were planted.
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Turkey Creek restoration for Vermilion darter recovery. Identified critical habitat and serious threats to endangered species survival.
• Action EnvironmentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner for Turkey Creek restoration project.
• Jennings EnvironmentalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with FLT on stream and bank restoration project at Turkey Creek following dam removal.
• Father Nature LandscapesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with FLT on Turkey Creek stream and bank restoration, planting native flora for soil stabilization.
• Kiwanis Club of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLT developing Vulcan Trail as part of Kiwanis $4.6 million Centennial Park/Vulcan Trail project connecting Vulcan Park to downtown Birmingham.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational land conservation organization. FLT's former Executive Director Wendy Jackson named Executive Vice President of the Alliance. The organization works with over 1,000 land trusts.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransferred 68-acre conservation easement to FLT in 2024. Have managed stewardship of the property since 2006.
• River NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization partnering with FLT on EPA's Trash-Free Waters grant and Project Litter Gitter. Coca-Cola Foundation grant managed through River Network.
• Osprey InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner of Litter Gitter devices. Partnership for installing and maintaining in-stream trash collection devices throughout Jefferson County. Pilot project began December 2019.
• Jay Industrial RepaircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor for annual Land Aid concert for multiple years. Major corporate supporter of FLT's conservation mission.
• Avondale Brewing CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for annual Land Aid concerts. Provides outdoor concert venue for fundraising events.
• Alabama Power CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Land Aid concert and other conservation initiatives.
• McWaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Land Aid concert 2025.
• BessemerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations.
• HomewoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations and Trail improvements.
• Mountain BrookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations.
• HooverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations.
• IrondaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations and trail access (Irondale Riverwalk).
• Vestavia HillsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations.
• TrussvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Litter Gitter installations.
• Westervelt Ecological ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative partner on Locust Fork Mitigation Bank, a 111-acre restoration project in the Locust Fork Watershed.
• Regions BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer partnership for endangered species habitat enhancement. Regions Bank volunteers worked with Lakewood Neighborhood Association to remove invasive privet near Glenn Springs.
• Barber Vintage Motorsports MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Corporate Partners for Conservation celebration event.
• Turkey Creek Nature PreservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership between FLT, USFWS, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve for Vermilion darter recovery and habitat protection.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Rivers: National river conservation organization that partners with EPA and similar funders on water quality initiatives comparable to FLT's Trash-Free Waters work. Operates at broader national scale but engages in similar river protection, restoration, and watershed conservation activities.
• Land Trust Alliance: National umbrella organization for land trusts, of which FLT's former Executive Director Wendy Jackson became Executive Vice President. Sets accreditation standards and serves over 1,000 land trusts, providing industry-wide infrastructure comparable to FLT's national positioning.
• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation nonprofit with active Alabama operations, including a 68-acre conservation easement transferred to FLT in 2024. Operates land trusts, conservation easements, and stewardship at national scale, making it a comparable broad incumbent in the same conservation category.

Direct peers

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation, conservation easements, and creating parks/trails for public access. Direct functional peer to FLT's Red Rock Trail System and conservation easement model, operating with similar accredited land trust structure.
• Black Warrior Riverkeeper: Alabama-based waterway protection nonprofit that has partnered with FLT on water quality and endangered species (darter) conservation. Operates in the same watersheds with overlapping goals of protecting aquatic ecosystems and water quality in Central Alabama.
• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that has directly partnered with FLT, funding and supporting the 68-acre easement transfer from The Nature Conservancy. Engages in land acquisition, conservation finance, and easement transactions, making it a direct peer in conservation deal-making.
• Alabama Audubon: Alabama-based conservation nonprofit that has participated in FLT's Endangered Species Tours and shares overlapping habitat and species protection missions. Engages landowners in conservation practices across the state, making it a comparable Alabama-focused conservation organization.

Others

• Southern Environmental Law Center: Regional environmental legal advocacy organization operating across the Southeast, including Alabama. While focused on legal/policy advocacy rather than direct land management, SELC's work on endangered species and watershed protection creates an adjacent, enabling peer relationship to FLT's conservation activities.

Regional players

• Alabama Rivers Alliance: Statewide coalition of river and watershed groups in Alabama, working on water quality, policy advocacy, and conservation across the same watersheds as FLT. Comparable regional nonprofit advocating for river protection at state scale.
• Tennessee Riverkeeper: Regional waterkeeper organization in the neighboring Tennessee Valley, focused on water quality protection, advocacy, and conservation in ways parallel to Black Warrior Riverkeeper's partnership with FLT. Comparable regional-scale waterway conservation nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freshwaterlt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freshwater-land-trust
• Facebookfacebook.com/FreshwaterLandTrust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freshwater Land Trust