Tool Trailer
In 2011, Cawaco RC&D Council received a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to purchase and equip a cargo trailer to assist groups in developing and maintaining recreational trails. Existing park staff and/or volunteers can rent the Tool Trailer and its hand tools for trail building, garden improvement and invasive species removal. Charles Yeager at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve manages the trailer’s schedule and provides regular reports on its use.
RC&D Grows Gardens
Cawaco partners with other RC&D Councils, the State Association of RC&D Councils and USDA/NRCS to provide vegetable seeds to schools, community gardens and veterans at no cost. We also administer a state-wide mini-grant program for garden-related expenses. These grants are available to enhance and support school and community gardens in every council area. The goal is to empower communities and schools to grow fresh local produce that can be shared, eaten, and even sold to generate income.
Community Development
Cawaco partners with community leaders across our region to help make our area a better place to live, work and recreate. From trails to gardens to tree planting, building upgrades and first responder support, Cawaco is always working to improve Alabama communities.
Your Town Alabama
Since 1998, the Your Town Alabama organization has conducted annual workshops for town officials and community leaders across Alabama. For citizens interested in improving their communities, the workshop introduces asset-based design in community planning. This method focuses on the inventory and utilization of the community’s best assets, whether cultural, natural, historical, or otherwise. Cawaco RC&D Council was one of the founding members of Your Town Alabama and continues to provide administrative support.
Projects in the News
Cool Green Trees is in the News!
In case you haven’t heard- Cool Green Trees is a new Cawaco Program that is locating Urban Heat Islands in Birmingham and cooling them down by planting trees. Concrete, streets…
2024 Funding Opportunity
The 2024 Cawaco Grant Cycle opens April 1- July 1, 2023. All applicants are now required to create an account with username and password prior to applying. Applications will be…
2022 Cawaco Annual Report
Cawaco has had a busy year! We took on a new staff person, and got a new Chairman. We not only have a very successful grant program, we have other…
Rep. Corley Ellis Receives Legislator of the Year Award
https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2022/03/08/rep-corley-ellis-receives-leadership-award-from-statewide-development-organization/
Continue Reading Rep. Corley Ellis Receives Legislator of the Year Award
2022 Roebuck Springs Work Day
April 2 2022 Come volunteer to plant the stream banks at Roebuck Springs on the Roebuck Springs Golf Course spring run – – home of the endangered Watercress Darter WHEN:…
2022 Seven Springs Watercress Darter Work Day
March 19, Saturday 9 am until 12 noon As part of the Urban Darter Project, Freshwater Land Trust is hosting a habitat improvement workday at Seven Springs in the Powderly…
Continue Reading 2022 Seven Springs Watercress Darter Work Day
Delivery to Parrish Elementary
Kasey Kilpatrick, a teacher and gardener at Parrish Elementary was awarded a mini-grant for her school garden and got a seed delivery too!
Working with Birmingham Parks
Francesca Gross, Environmental Specialist for Cawaco RC&D was featured Birmingham Parks and Recreation Report (September 2021). Read more about Francesca and her work!
Tractor Supply Supports Gardens
Cawaco would like to welcome our new partner, Tractor Supply-Bessemer. Tractor supply donated their end of the year seeds for the RC&D Grows Gardens program. This program provides resources for…
2021 By-The-Numbers
This is a one-page graphic of the Cawaco grant program numbers, as well as other Contracts and Grants we manage. 2021-By-the-NumbersDownload
2021 Annual Grant Report
2021 was a challenging year for many, due to the challenges presented from change in leadership and COVID obstacles. However, our grantees were able to adapt and persevere! This is…
2021 RC&D Grows Gardens Presentation
Sponsored by Alabama Association of RC&D Councils and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, RC&D Grows Gardens provides resources to school and community gardens. Results of the 2021 RC&D Grows Gardens…
RC&D Grows Gardens
We are very grateful to the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils for providing us with a grant to continue the RC&D Grows Gardens program. By partnering with AMRV RC&D, ALA-Tom…
2020 Project Report
Look what happened in 2020! 2020 Project Report
Cawaco Funds Shelby County Career Corps
https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2021/06/02/shelby-chamber-to-present-career-corps-summer-program/
Transformed vacant lot in North Titusville
Francesca Gross and volunteers at a workday in Titusville’s new Triangle Park , April 11, 2021. (photo by Sydney Cromwell).
UAB Grand Challenge
Cawaco RC&D Council was contracted by University of Alabama Birmingham and Sunrise Rotary to implement a portion of UAB’s Grand Challenge strategic plan. Cawaco’s Environmental Specialist, Francesca Gross, coordinated volunteer tree…
Goldwire Heights Subdivision Enhancements
Cawaco is implementing a contract received from Navigate Affordable Housing Partners Inc. to construct two (2) subdivision gateway signs and plant trees for street-scaping in the Goldwire Heights community in Birmingham. Build UP Birmingham provides…
