Flying Creek Nature Preserve

08/26/2026

Have you seen the September/October issue of City Sketches? 👀 We’re on the cover!

Pick up your copy at city buildings around Fairhope, or check out the latest issue online with the link below.

🔗https://publicrecords.fairhopeal.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=75492&dbid=0&repo=Fairhope

08/19/2026

🐍 WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY: LETS TALK SNAKES! 🌿

Snakes may not be everyone’s favorite wildlife, but they play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy! 🌎

At Flying Creek Nature Preserve, snakes help control populations of rodents, insects, frogs, and other small animals. By keeping these populations in balance, they help maintain a healthier and more balanced ecosystem. 🐭🐸🦗

Snakes are also an important part of the food chain, providing a source of food for larger predators like hawks, owls, and other wildlife. 🦅

So the next time you spot a snake on the trail, remember—they’re not out to get you! They’re simply doing their part to keep nature in balance.

Respect wildlife, give snakes plenty of space, and let them do what they do best! 🐍🌿

08/05/2026

🐢 Wildlife Wednesday: A Happy Homecoming! 💚

Every now and then, we get the opportunity to witness a true conservation success story.

Recently, an injured turtle was found near Fly Creek by a caring community member. After being safely transported to the Orange Beach Wildlife Center, the turtle received the care and rehabilitation it needed to make a full recovery.

Once healthy enough to return to the wild, the Orange Beach Wildlife Center reached out to us to help release this amazing little survivor back into its home in Fly Creek.

If you see a turtle crossing the road, here's how you can help:
• 🛑 Only stop if it is safe to do so.
• ➡️ Move the turtle in the direction it was already traveling. Never take it back where it came from.
• 🧤 If handling is necessary, gently pick it up by the sides of its shell. Avoid grabbing the tail.
• 🐢 Leave it in a safe spot off the roadway and let it continue on its journey.

08/03/2026

🌿 Friendly Reminder! 🌿

Our Volunteer Interest Meeting is happening this Wednesday, August 5, and we'd love to see you there!

We're looking for volunteers to become the welcoming face of the John Martin Nature Center by serving at our Welcome Desk. This role is perfect for those who love Fairhope, enjoy the outdoors, and have a passion for helping others discover everything our preserve has to offer.

As a Welcome Desk volunteer, you'll greet visitors, answer questions, share information about the preserve, and help create a warm, friendly first impression for everyone who walks through our doors. Whether it's a family's first visit or a regular guest stopping by, you'll play an important role in making every experience at Flying Creek a memorable one.

📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕒 3:00pm
📍 John Martin Nature Center

07/24/2026

🌿 Volunteer at Flying Creek Nature Preserve! 🌿

One of the best parts of Flying Creek Nature Preserve is the people who make it such a welcoming place. As our Nature Center begins to welcome visitors from near and far, we're looking for volunteers who are passionate about Fairhope, love the outdoors, and enjoy sharing that passion with others.

If you've ever wanted to be more involved with the preserve, this is a great opportunity! As a Welcome Desk volunteer, you'll greet visitors, answer questions, and help introduce families, hikers, birders, and nature lovers to everything Flying Creek has to offer.

Join us for our Volunteer Interest Meeting to learn more about becoming part of the Flying Creek family.
📅 Date: 8/5/2026
🕒 Time: 3:00pm
📍 Location: John Martin Nature Center

Whether you've been visiting the preserve since opening day or you're just discovering all it has to offer, we'd love to have you join our team. Together, we can continue making Flying Creek Nature Preserve a place where everyone feels welcome. 💚🌿

07/22/2026

🐞🦋 Wildlife Wednesday: The Little Things That Keep Nature Running 🐝🪲

They may be small, but insects are some of the most important wildlife at Flying Creek Nature Preserve! Native bees, butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, and countless other bugs pollinate plants, recycle nutrients, control pests, and provide food for birds, fish, frogs, bats, and many other animals.

The next time you're on the trails, take a closer look—you'll find these tiny creatures hard at work keeping our ecosystem healthy. Every bug has a job, and together they help make Flying Creek thrive!

07/16/2026

🎉 Our Park Ranger/Urban Forester was recognized as one of Mobile Bay Magazine Watershed Award Winners!🌿🏆Click the link to learn more about him and the rest of this year's outstanding Watershed Award Winners!

Mobile Bay's 7th annual Watershed Awards recognize the environmental guardians of our communities.

07/15/2026

🌿 Did you know July is National Parks and Recreation Month?

We have a pretty special place right here in the heart of Fairhope: Flying Creek Nature Preserve. Take a break, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and explore the beauty of nature right in our own backyard.

Come out and enjoy the trails, scenery, and all that our parks and natural spaces have to offer! 🌳

07/01/2026

🦉🌿 Wildlife Wednesday 🌿🦉

This week's Wildlife Wednesday is all about one of our native songbirds—the Eastern Bluebird! 🐦

A few months ago, we shared the installation of several bluebird nesting boxes throughout our longleaf pine stand. After months of monitoring, we're excited to report that the project has already been a success!

Several of the nesting boxes were quickly adopted by local Eastern Bluebirds, and we're happy to share that they've successfully raised healthy young. These beautiful birds help our ecosystem by feeding on insects and other small invertebrates, making them wonderful neighbors to have around the preserve.

Providing safe nesting sites is one small way we can support native wildlife, and it's rewarding to see these conservation efforts paying off!