We are a group of elected officials, educators and concerned citizens who have joined to protect Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve, located in south Shelby County, Alabama. Use the links at the left to learn more about us and this important resource in our community. We hope that you will join us in our effort to make life better for the citizens and families of Shelby County and the surrounding area.

 

Ebenezer Swamp News

10/25/05 - 250 Attend Meeting; Fish and Wildlife Service Voices Concerns

10/10/05 - Reminder: Public Meeting this Week

9/19/05 - Friends Urge Participation in Upcoming Public Meeting

 

About the Preserve

The University of Montevallo’s Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve is located on Spring Creek, approximately 6 miles northeast of the University. Ebenezer swamp consists of sixty acres of wooded wetlands and is home to numerous species of fungi, plants, and animals.

The forest is dominated for the most part by Tupelo Gum (Nyssa aquatica), with occasional Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda), Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana), Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).

The dominant animal life form is the Beaver (Castor canadensis); water impounded behind several beaver dams along Spring Creek has a pronounced effect on the ecology of the preserve. Other animal inhabitants include the American Woodcock (Philohela minor), Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodia), Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Raccoon (Procyon lotor ), Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virginiana), and various species of freshwater clams.

The preserve is also home to numerous herbaceous plant species, including three species of orchids (Platanthera flava, Ponthieva racemosa and Tipularia discolor) and a rare species of cone-flower (Rudbeckia auriculata). Ebenezer Swamp is used for teaching and research purposes. Ongoing research projects include water quality testing and surveys of vegetation and macroinvertebrate diversity.

Ebenezer Swamp was generously donated to the University of Montevallo by Mrs. Mildred Orr of Montevallo.

 

What's at Stake?

The Friends are concerned about a proposed quarry near the swamp site. The quarry, if approved, would have adverse effects on the swamp and on water quality for area residents living downstream. Residents and students at a nearby school would also be affected by increased truck traffic going to and from the quarry site. For more details on our concerns, visit our Why Do We Care? page.

 

Updated 10/25/05; Jason Cooper, webmaster.