
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
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…
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! …
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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…
2019 GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN!!
Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council is seeking grant applications for its Challenge and Educational Grant Programs in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties of Alabama. Grant applications can…
Plan of Work 2018
READ THE 2018 Plan of Work
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…
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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…
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…
Soil Health Workshop July 18
Are you doing everything you can to keep your land and your soil healthy? Would you like to learn how to build soil health, nourish your plants and yield bigger,…
Invasive Plant Workshop
Do you struggle with privet, kudzu, mimosa, english ivy, bamboo, and other annoying invasive plants on your property? Would you like to learn from the pros how to fight these…
Cawaco featured on RootsRated website
Cawaco recently got some press on RootsRated! RootsRated is a website designed to help outdoor enthusiasts find the best hiking, trail running, climbing, paddling, cycling and more- (including food)- in 30+…
Cawaco Wins Project of the Year Award
Cawaco was awarded the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Council’s Project of the Year Award for 2014, for the “Tannehill Wastewater Treatment” project. Read more about this project…