NOAA Grant To Be Used For Expansion Of Graham Creek Nature Preserve

Foley’s Graham Creek Nature Preserve is seeking a major expansion after the city received a $4-million federal environmental grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to buy property to expand the city facility, already the largest municipal nature preserve in Alabama. Leslie Gahagan, Foley sustainability and natural resources director, said the city has been working with NOAA on the project for more than a year. Foley’s funding is the first NOAA grant approved for Alabama. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also worked with the city to acquire the grant. The city is continuing to work on funding for additional expansions at The Graham Creek Nature Preserve, now approximately 650 acres. It is near Wolf Creek Drive in Southeast Foley and includes 10 miles of hiking trails, two accessible boardwalks, a kayak launch and four disc golf courses.