The history behind north Alabama's greatest natural wonder

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The Conservation Fund is working to protect the Sipsey River in north Alabama — The Sipsey River runs through the newly protected 40 acres within the Sipsey Wilderness. (Conservation Fund)

When it’s time to get out and enjoy nature in northern Alabama, the options are as expansive as its rolling hills and leafy-green forests. In fact, Alabama is one of the most ecologically diverse (and, we’ll say it, most beautiful states in the country).

Today, we want to take you on a virtual trip up into the Sipsey Wilderness, a nearly 30,000-acre swath of natural waterfalls, deep canyons and towering bluffs.

And it’s right in your own backyard, Huntsville.

Here’s why you should get out and explore north Alabama’s Sipsey Wilderness and how the hard (and ongoing) work of some dedicated individuals at The Conservation Fund will help keep it wild and free for generations to come.

What + where is the Sipsey Wilderness?

Map of the Sipsey Wilderness in North Alabama — The Sipsey Wilderness spans close to 30,000 acres in north Alabama. (courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Located within the William B. Bankhead National Forest, the Sipsey Wilderness is about 70 miles southwest of downtown Huntsville.

In addition to its natural beauty, it’s also home to a National Wild and Scenic River, an official identifier for a federally-protected system of waterways overseen by the USDA’s Forest Service division.

Though it just celebrated its 50th anniversary as a designated area, the Sipsey Wilderness has had a profound impact beyond its beautiful borders: Thanks to hard work from devoted conservationists, its protection led to the Eastern Wilderness Act of 1975, which helped broaden the definition of what wilderness means and why it should be protected from development.

“I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around the country and know we should be protecting all kinds of places, but there is something really unique and special about wilderness areas.

When you step into a wilderness area that’s been protected for a long time, it’s a totally different experience.”

_{Stacy Funderburke, Central Southeast Vice President, The Conservation Fund}

How The Conservation Fund is protecting the Sipsey

North Alabama's big, beautiful backyard is worth conserving — A glimpse at the majestically serene Sipsey Wilderness in Alabama. (The Conservation Fund)

Though the Sipsey Wilderness has been admired and protected closely over its 50 year (official) history, there was always a missing piece: While the majority of the area had been deemed protected from development and sale, there were a few outstanding tracks that remained under private ownership—one of them along the river itself.

With support from the federally-funded Land and Water Conservation Fund, The Conservation Fund was able to acquire these “missing pieces” before they could be bought up and developed, hindering public access to these beautiful lands or even compromising their environmental integrity.

Thanks to the hard work at The Conservation Fund—and of key members like Regional Vice President Stacy Funderburke and Senior Advisor Mike Leonard, who has been working on Sipsey protection for decades—those remaining parcels were locked in and conservation rights were secured within this last year.

“That was such a magical moment for us, to do what we do best: Be quick, nimble and agile and work to make sure [the land] gets onto the Forest Service’s hands to be included in the wilderness, and to make sure the Sipsey Wilderness is forever protected.

It’s definitely a career highlight, just to have a role in that and know it happened while I was working for The Conservation Fund.”

_{Stacy Funderburke, Central Southeast Vice President, The Conservation Fund}

While The Conservation Fund’s work in the area—and across the state of Alabama—continues, the Sipsey Wilderness remains a beacon for environmental land conservation across America.

What is The Conservation Fund + how you can help

Waterfall in the Bankhead National Forest in the Sipsey Wilderness. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The Conservation Fund is a national non-profit that’s been around for 40 years. Their work centers around securing land and water rights to key locations in danger of development—that includes everything from small parks in cities to massive additions to wildlife management and refuge areas. Its work in Alabama alone has protected 61,000 acres at a value of $165 million.

You can learn more about The Conservation Fund via our sister site’s deeper dive here.

The best way you can support The Conservation Fund’s efforts?

Donate funds
Visit their website for more info
Subscribe to their monthly newsletter
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram

If you’re inspired to plan your own day trip to the Sipsey Wilderness to see first-hand why The Conservation Fund’s efforts matter, this magical little parcel is perfect for hiking, climbing and camping: