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Montevallo council adopts Shoal Creek Park landscape changes to protect limestone barrens and grassland habitat
Summary
The council unanimously adopted proposed revisions to the Shoal Creek Park Landscape Management Plan presented by the Shoal Creek Park Foundation; changes call for an initial fall 2026 mowing of designated grassland/barren units followed by biennial rotating bush-hogging to maintain habitat for rare plants and grassland birds.
The Montevallo City Council voted unanimously on June 22 to adopt proposed changes to the Shoal Creek Park Landscape Management Plan, a set of management actions submitted by the Shoal Creek Park Foundation.
Ray Cavender presented the proposed revisions to the council in the work session and referenced a written plan (Appendix 8) developed with Ken Wills and Dr. Mike Hardig. The proposal recommends an initial comprehensive bush-hogging/mowing of designated limestone barren and incipient grassland areas in mid to late fall 2026, followed by a staggered, biennial mowing schedule so that half the compartments are mowed each fall while others remain tall to provide habitat diversity.
Appendix 8 explains the conservation rationale: the berm-like limestone cedar barrens and associated habitats host rare plants (the document names Tennessee gladecress, Leavenworthia exigua var. lutea) and attract grassland-dependent birds. The authors argue that, under the current five-year rotational mowing plan, woody succession is accelerating and threatens these habitats; the proposed schedule aims to preserve a mosaic of habitat ages that benefit birds and rare plants and to retain some open, pastoral landscape for visitors.
Council Member Alyssa Green moved to adopt the changes; Council Member Kenneth Dukes seconded and the motion passed with all ayes. The council adopted the plan as submitted in the appendix; the record does not show additional conditions or an implementation schedule beyond the text of the submitted plan. The plan text recommends mid-to-late-fall mowing in 2026 and a biennial rotation thereafter.
What happens next: with council adoption, implementing the mowing schedule, flagging compartment boundaries, and coordinating volunteers or contractors will be the next steps as described in the plan. The appendix lists technical authors and the ecological rationale; any permits, contracts, or budgetary allocations for mowing were not specified in the council minutes.
