Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge nestled in the foothills of the southern Appalachian mountains between Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham Alabama.

Refuge History: In 2003, the U.S. Government shut down the Fort McClellan military facility and established the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in order to protect the region's old-growth and second-growth pine forests. Northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia are the only places where longleaf pines extend north of the Coastal Plain into the Appalachian mountains. The forests of this refuge are unique in that they have been protected by over a century of prescribed burns performed by the United States Army. The surrounding forests that did not receive prescribed burns disappeared from the region. These forests are also unique in that they have one of the largest varieties of plant species outside of the tropics. Thus this refuge is a unique laboratory for botanists.

Wildlife: These forests help provide habitat for numerous wild critters including Appalachian cottontails, wood frogs, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors access to this fragile preserve remains relatively restricted but the sections that are open to the public boast over 7 miles of hiking trails. Come on out and explore!