
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, schools, churches, and other organizations to provide vegetable seeds, materials and high-quality soil at no cost. 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 communities across our region to help make our area a better place to live and work. From trails to gardens to workshops, Cawaco is always working to develop the capacity for our 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
UAB Grand Challenge
Cawaco RC&D Council was contracted by University of Alabama Birmingham to implement a portion of UAB’s Grand Challenge strategic plan. Cawaco’s Environmental Specialist, Francesca Gross, coordinated volunteer tree planting days in…
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…
Titusville Lot Enhancements
Cawaco RC&D Council was contracted by Titusville Development Corporation to plan and implement the transformation of 2 vacant lots in North Titusville to low maintenance, functional, beautiful landscapes for the…
DAV Chapter 4 Building Repairs
Cawaco received a grant from the Holle Family Foundation to bring the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 4 building up to code. The roof was leaking and creating internal damage. Genius…
Cool Green Action Plan
This project is a unique collaborative effort between Cawaco RC&D Council Environmental Programs, the City of Birmingham, a diverse, multidisciplinary team from University of Alabama at Birmingham, and numerous local…
RC&D Grows Gardens
Panola Community Outreach Pavillion (Green County) Funds from Alabama RC&D “RC&D Grows Gardens Project” were used to complete the Panola Community Outreach pavilion. The pavilion serves as a food distribution…
Garden Report
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES- WATER FUN FOR STUDENTS K-5
Looking for educational resources for students K-5 to print at home or in class? Look no further! Here is a print-friendly version of a FUN activity book about water conservation!
Continue Reading EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES- WATER FUN FOR STUDENTS K-5
Projects from the State of Alabama!
Enjoy this presentation that highlights the work being done throughout the state by Resource, Conservation & Development Councils in Alabama. Presentation 2019 Annual ConferenceFinal
Cawaco Radio Ad for Free GED Classes
We are proud to sponsor this radio ad that runs in our five counties! The Alabama Community College System Adult Education programs (Alabama Adult Education) provide free adult literacy, basic…
Mapping Birmingham City Trees
Cawaco is working with the Nature Conservancy, the Regional Planning Commission, the Birmingham urban forester, Alabama Forestry Commission and other agencies to map Birmingham trees. Why? For numerous reasons, urban…
How we did in 2016
In 2016, Cawaco projects built 11 miles of trails, restored 20 acres of habitat, educated over 3000 children and more than 2000 adults. For every dollar we spent, we were…
Beginning Farmer Outreach Meeting- Walker County
Once again we are partnering with USDA and Walker County Soil & Water to host a Beginning Farmer Outreach meeting in Walker County! Pass this information along to anyone with…
Continue Reading Beginning Farmer Outreach Meeting- Walker County
Alabama AARCDC State Conference
Alabama Association of RC&D Councils Annual Meeting On May 2-4, Cawaco hosted the state conference at the Embassy Suites Birmingham. Thanks to all those who attended as well as the…
We Are Delivering Seeds!
We are currently delivering vegetable seed to community and school gardens throughout the state! The seeds are FREE but you have to apply in order to receive them! Call Patti…
Cawaco Tool Trailer
The Tool Trailer got a good bit of use in 2015! 849 volunteers used the trailer to clear over 17 miles of trails in places like Turkey Creek Nature Preserve,…
Resources for Stream Owners
Are you a landowner with a stream on your property? Do you lose property with every rain? Do your stream banks shift? There is a free resource for you to…
Forest Certification Workshop August 6
The Alabama Forestry Commission recognizes that voluntary participation in forest certification is growing in the southern United States and that forest managers and forest industry representatives should have access to…