Choccolocco Creek Watershed

10/22/2026

🌿 A Little Hack & Sq**rt Can Make a Big Difference! 🌿

Have you ever heard of the hack-and-squirt method? 🪓 Check out these photos to see how this technique is used to help control invasive Chinese privet and make room for native plants to thrive!

This Saturday, October 24, we're inviting volunteers to join us at Choccolocco Park to learn about this invasive species and help restore native habitats along the park's trails!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 Watershed Pavilion (back of Choccolocco Park)
954 Leon Smith Pkwy, Oxford, AL 36203

🥾 Reminder: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. We encourage volunteers to bring their own work gloves and safety goggles, but limited extras will be available. Tools and herbicide will be provided.

All participants will receive instruction on safe handling and application before beginning treatment.

🌱 We hope to see you Saturday morning as we work together to make a difference in the Choccolocco Creek Watershed!

Register Here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ChoccoloccoCreekWatershed/PrivetPullWorkdayOctober242026

10/21/2026

🌲 This week, we're celebrating Alabama Woods to Goods Week and National Forest Products Week! 🪵 The week highlights the forest industry’s vital impact on Alabama’s environment, economy and communities.

Forests produce numerous products. For generations, wood has supplied resources for paper, building material, and fuel. Beyond wood products, forests are also a part of a broader ecosystem. Sustainable harvesting of forests requires careful conservation.

The U.S. South, nicknamed the world’s wood basket, accounts for over half of all sustainable timber production in the country and generates more than $250 billion annually in economic contributions. More products than you may even realize come from Alabama's forests, from books and lumber to textiles and even some foods!

This week we honor the men and women who work to keep our forest industry growing and we recognize the forest industry's impact on Alabama's economy, environment and communities. 🌲

10/20/2026

🌿 Help Us Tackle Invasive Privet! 🌿

Join the Choccolocco Creek Watershed for our Privet Hack & Sq**rt Volunteer Event at Choccolocco Park!

We’ll kick off the morning with a 30–45 minute demonstration, where volunteers will learn about invasive Chinese privet, the "hack-and-squirt method", and see firsthand the results of previous treatments!

After the demonstration, we’ll head out along the trails to put what we've learned into action! Volunteers will help control invasive privet and restore native habitats throughout the park.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 Location: Watershed Pavilion (back of Choccolocco Park), 954 Leon Smith Pkwy, Oxford, AL 36203

🥾 What to Wear:
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Long pants
- Closed-toe shoes

🪓 What to Bring: We encourage volunteers to bring their own work gloves and safety googles. We will be providing the tools and herbicide, along with limited gloves and googles!

🌱 Come learn a new conservation technique you can use at home, get involved, and help us make a difference in the Choccolocco Creek Watershed!

10/10/2026

Due to inclement weather conditions the Sky Trail Birding Festival’s events for today are postponed to next Saturday, October 17th.

🌧️ SKYTRAIL GUIDED BIRDING EVENT POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 17!

A rainy forecast may be changing our plans, but it won't dampen our excitement for Calhoun County's first-ever SkyTrail Birding Festival! 🐦

Due to the forecasted weather, Saturday morning's Guided Birding Event at Choccolocco Park has been postponed to NEXT SATURDAY, October 17!

The good news? Everything else stays the same! 🎉

📅 NEW DATE: Saturday, October 17
⏰ 8:00–11:00 AM
📍 Choccolocco Park, Oxford, AL
🐦 Meet at the pavilion for the educational station and guided birding activities.

Bring the family and join us for a fun morning exploring nature, learning about local birds, and discovering the beauty of birding. All ages and experience levels are welcome!

🐦 In the meantime, get ready for your birding adventure with the free Merlin Bird ID app!
👉 https://visitcalhouncounty.s.gy/merlin

10/08/2026

🐦🌿 The Sky Trail Birding Festival is almost here!

Join us this weekend for a celebration of birds, wildlife, and the natural beauty of our region! Whether you're an experienced birder or just looking for a fun way to connect with nature, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

We're excited to be part of this event hosted by Visit Calhoun County, Alabama, and we look forward to seeing you there!

🦉🌳 We hope to see you this weekend!

Register Here: https://members.calhounchamber.com/atlas/events/skytrail-festival--5119882/details?fbclid=IwY2xjawU00TRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWpuVjRzVERkSGVOcU45aTdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehr0Nv9o-svPwktoFnRhwFetfSfr_sZX8yQMaHV2uAjBoZokETS58hm13ia0_aem_BkAyVPya07PQ4A325drEHg

10/07/2026

Thank you to Kanda Rogers for sharing information about the City of Oxford Parks & Recreation’s Jump Park with the attendees at the Regional Trail Committee Meeting today at the Oxford Civic Center.

The group discussed topics related to interconnected trails in the four counties that make up our watershed: Cleburne, Calhoun, Clay, and Talladega.

10/05/2026

There will be a meeting tomorrow at the Bynum Community Center for anyone who is interested. The free presentation by Eastman will cover the topic: “Why Scientists Study Fish.”

Eastman project representatives will discuss how fish sampling is conducted and how the data supports environmental evaluations. There will be time for questions and community participation.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 6th, 2026
🕠 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
📍 Bynum Community Center, 200 Victory Drive, Eastaboga, AL

🔗 To RSVP or for questions, please contact: [email protected]

09/28/2026

Make plans to attend tomorrow's meeting at the Bynum Community Center for a free presentation by Eastman: “Understanding Sediment and Surface Water.”

Eastman project representatives will discuss how scientists study sediment and surface water to understand how contaminants move through the environment over time. There will be time for questions and community participation.

🗓️ Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕠 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
📍 Bynum Community Center, 200 Victory Drive, Eastaboga, AL

🔗 To RSVP or for questions, please contact: [email protected]

09/25/2026

💧 Creek Week: Day 5 — Show Us Your Watershed! 📸🌿

We’re wrapping up Creek Week by celebrating the places, plants, wildlife, and waterways that make our watershed special!

Now we want to see it through your eyes! Share a photo of your favorite creek, wildlife, plant, trail, or outdoor spot within the Choccolocco Creek Watershed in the comments below. 📸

Creek Week may be ending, but caring for our watershed continues all year long! 💚

09/24/2026

💧 Creek Week: Day 4 — How You Can Help! 🌿

Protecting our creeks starts with simple, everyday choices! Picking up litter, protecting green spaces, being mindful of runoff, and getting involved in your community can all help support healthier waterways.

Small actions can make a big difference for our creeks! 💚