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
Grant equips Mountain Brook firefighters with advanced emergency medical training tool
Cawaco staff were gathered in a classroom with our partners in the Alabama Legislature and a grantee when the room transformed in an instant to a high-stakes scenario. First responders…
Cawaco RC&D opens grant applications for Central Alabama projects
Grants of $5,000–$20,000 available April 1–June 30 for community, environmental and educational projects across five counties BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council is now accepting grant applications…
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Lupton Junior High library gets major upgrade
Students at Lupton Junior High School in Walker County now have a modernized library space built for the way they learn. Cawaco Staff, board members, and area legislators presented a…
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New facility opens to serve women experiencing homelessness in Pelham
The Resting Place of Pelham opened its doors on Jan. 31, 2026, marking a milestone in helping women transition out of crisis in Shelby County. (L-R): Mayor Rick Walsh, Council…
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Partners and Projects Honored at 2025 Annual Meeting
Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council board members, staff and partners gathered at Bevill State Campus in Jasper on December 11 for our annual meeting. It was a day dedicated…
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New sidewalk links trail systems and historic neighborhood in Trussville
The City of Trussville connected a historic neighborhood to a river trail system, creating safer routes for elementary school kids, outdoor classrooms for teachers, and a community that just got…
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Local leaders turn $843,000 into nearly $4 million impact across Central Alabama
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2025 Cawaco RC&D grant program supports local projects benefiting community, environment, education (BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) (Dec. 16, 2025) – From community gardens to innovation centers and…
Continue Reading Local leaders turn $843,000 into nearly $4 million impact across Central Alabama
Restoring a Community Lifeline in McCollum-Midway
What does a small volunteer fire department do when its only medical response vehicle faces a catastrophic engine failure? The answer to that question takes a lot of creativity, heart,…
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Behind the Grants: Spotlight on Patti Pennington
Name: Patti PenningtonTitle: Programs ManagerYears with RC&D: 18 Meet Patti Pennington We think the saying should be Patti-of-All-Trades, because Patti Pennington is a woman of many skills. Over the last…
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Enhancing School Safety: Walker County’s Tactical Entry Tool Kits
Safety in our schools is a top priority, and Walker County is taking proactive steps to ensure their school resource officers (SROs) have the tools needed to respond quickly and…
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Outdoor Classroom Revitalization in Hoover
Students at Trace Crossings Elementary School have a newly renovated courtyard and outdoor classroom to learn and play in. A ribbon cutting ceremony at the school brought together students, parents,…
Serving Those Who Serve: Shelby County Cookout
The sun was shining for the Back the Blue Cookout in Shelby County! L-R: Chief Chris Miller, Helena Fire Dept; Brandon Krutsch, Alabaster police dept; Sheriff John Samaniego, Shelby County…
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Celebrating Local Impact with Shelby County 2025 Grant Day
Cawaco RC&D and the Shelby County Legislative Delegation gathered at Pelham City Hall to celebrate the awarding of $148,313 in grant funding to 10 organizations across Shelby County. The grant…
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Midfield-Holt Community Garden Celebrates Success with New Pavilion and Storage Facilities
The Midfield-Holt Community Garden officially expanded its capacity to serve local families last week with the completion of a new pavilion and storage shed. Community leaders, residents, and partners gathered…
North Jefferson Innovation Center Supports Local Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs in North Jefferson County now have a space to grow. The Town of Morris revitalized an existing building into a space that encourages a cooperative entrepreneurial environment for the…
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New Highway Signs Spotlight Walker County’s Waterways
Drivers traveling along Interstate 22 through Walker County will now notice something new: signs identifying the rivers and creeks they’re crossing. The Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District worked…
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New Faces, Fresh Energy: Spotlight on Jody Drummond
Name: Jody DrummondTitle: Operations SpecialistYears with RC&D: 1 Month Meet Jody Drummond Jody Drummond is the newest part of Cawaco RC&D’s growing team, and we were immediately impressed by her…
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Sowing Seeds in the City: Urban Agriculture in Alabama
Growing and distributing food in urban areas often looks a little different than it does in rural areas—it usually takes the form of community gardens, rooftop and vertical farms, or…
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