Samford University has received a $20,000 grant from the Hugh Kaul Foundation to assist with the Shades Creek Revitalization Project. The money will be used to continue eradicating non-native species such as kudzu and privet and replanting native species such as azaleas and mountain laurel.
Samford's Vulcan Materials Center and Department of Biology undertook the project earlier in conjunction with Friends of Shades Creek, Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Birmingham Audubon Society. Drs. Larry Davenport and Ron Jenkins, biology professors, and Connie Lankford, Vulcan Center program administrator, are primary project managers.
In addition, Alabama Power Foundation's Tree Assistance Program awarded the Vulcan Center $2,000 to purchase approximately 40 trees to be planted alongside Shades Creek as part of the revitalization
The grants will help return the creek and surrounding area from Old Highway 31 to Homewood High School to its natural state for use as an outdoor classroom. The long term plan also includes making the area attractive to birds as a sanctuary.
These grants follow an earlier $20,000 grant to the project from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.