B.A.S.S. tackles Turkey Creek privet

The Freshwater Land Trust teamed up with B.A.S.S. employees Nov. 13, for a volunteer workday at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Ala.

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The Freshwater Land Trust teamed up with B.A.S.S. employees Friday, Nov. 13, for a volunteer workday to restore critical habitat for the endangered vermilion darter and watercress darter. The volunteers worked at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Ala., to remove invasive species and replant native shrubs along the creek.
The Freshwater Land Trust teamed up with B.A.S.S. employees Friday, Nov. 13, for a volunteer workday to restore critical habitat for the endangered vermilion darter and watercress darter. The volunteers worked at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Ala., to remove invasive species and replant native shrubs along the creek.
The crew from B.A.S.S. arrives bright and early.
The crew from B.A.S.S. arrives bright and early.
Zac Napier shares information about Turkey Creek and lays out the plans for the team.
Zac Napier shares information about Turkey Creek and lays out the plans for the team.
With the needed tools at hand...
With the needed tools at hand…
...the B.A.S.S. team gets to work.
…the B.A.S.S. team gets to work.
The invasive privet plants are the main target of the crew's cleanup work.
The invasive privet plants are the main target of the crew’s cleanup work.
Keeping cool, clear waters like Turkey Creek flowing, and protecting the creek's endangered darter fish, is an important mission for both the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Freshwater Land Trust.
Keeping cool, clear waters like Turkey Creek flowing, and protecting the creek’s endangered darter fish, is an important mission for both the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Freshwater Land Trust.
The B.A.S.S. team moves to a second area and removes privet plants of all sizes.
The B.A.S.S. team moves to a second area and removes privet plants of all sizes.
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While the main team works on a larger area, B.A.S.S. employees Eric Lopez and Jesse Dolan work on a new mountain bike trail.
While the main team works on a larger area, B.A.S.S. employees Eric Lopez and Jesse Dolan work on a new mountain bike trail.
The crew literally blazes a trail through this section of the park.
The crew literally blazes a trail through this section of the park.
Lopez, Dolan and other workers load up the plants from the bike trail.
Lopez, Dolan and other workers load up the plants from the bike trail.
The pile of privet grows...
The pile of privet grows…
Another area is clear of invasive privet.
Another area is clear of invasive privet.
The B.A.S.S. team takes a water and rest break...
The B.A.S.S. team takes a water and rest break…
...while Charles Yeager and Memorie English select native plant species to place in the cleared areas.
…while Charles Yeager and Memorie English select native plant species to place in the cleared areas.
The B.A.S.S. team grabs shovels and gets ready to dig.
The B.A.S.S. team grabs shovels and gets ready to dig.
Now native plants will return to Turkey Creek thanks to the hard work of the Freshwater Land Trust and B.A.S.S. employees.
Now native plants will return to Turkey Creek thanks to the hard work of the Freshwater Land Trust and B.A.S.S. employees.
Hank Weldon takes a short break after finding a lizard.
Hank Weldon takes a short break after finding a lizard.
With the privet pulled up and native plants set, it's time to pose for a photo...
With the privet pulled up and native plants set, it’s time to pose for a photo…
...look at how much work was completed...
…look at how much work was completed…
...enjoy lunch at Turkey Creek's falls...
…enjoy lunch at Turkey Creek’s falls…
...and even catch a few of the small red-eye bass that call Turkey Creek home.
…and even catch a few of the small red-eye bass that call Turkey Creek home.