The South Alabama Land Trust has permanently protected 283 acres of environmentally significant land in northern Baldwin County, preserving rare pitcher plant bog habitat and wetlands near the Splinter Hill Bog Preserve.

The newly conserved property, now called the Dyas Creek Preserve, is located about one mile from Splinter Hill Bog and contains a 22-acre bog complex supporting at least three species of pitcher plants and other native vegetation associated with coastal bog ecosystems.

The preserve also protects portions of Dyas Creek, a tributary of the Perdido River, in an area conservation leaders say is facing increasing development pressure as growth expands north of Interstate 10.

SALT officials said the property's wetlands and riparian corridors play an important role in filtering sediment, nutrients and pollutants before they reach downstream waterways, helping improve water quality and wildlife habitat throughout the watershed.

"With regular prescribed burns and long-term stewardship, the Dyas Creek Preserve has the potential to become a showcase pitcher plant bog," SALT Executive Director Jane Herndon said. "Think of it as Splinter Hill 2.0."

The property was sold to the conservation organization by John Goodloe and Heath Rushing, who said the ecological significance of the land made preservation a priority.

"I've been involved in land conservation efforts in the past, but this is a special parcel in terms of its ecosystems and its location at the headwaters of Dyas Creek," Goodloe said. "This is a sensitive parcel in a high-growth area. Putting it into conservation now will protect it for future generations while creating opportunities to expand conservation efforts around Splinter Hill Bog."

The acquisition marks SALT's third conservation project north of Interstate 10 and continues the organization's broader effort to preserve undeveloped land in Baldwin County before it is converted for residential or commercial growth.

"This is a meaningful milestone for our organization and for Baldwin County," SALT board President Paul Marcinko said. "This part of the county is experiencing rapid growth, so protecting land like this now is an investment in both the environment and the future quality of life for our community."

SALT said it plans to manage the preserve through ecological restoration, invasive species control and prescribed burns aimed at improving long-term habitat health. While the property will remain undeveloped, the organization said future opportunities for guided public access, environmental education and research partnerships could be explored.

The acquisition follows several recent conservation projects by SALT in Baldwin County, including the protection of a 52-acre property in Silverhill within the Fish River watershed. That preserve, which includes wetlands and forested uplands along Perone Branch, a tributary of Fish River, was protected amid ongoing development pressure in the region.

Founded in 1990, the South Alabama Land Trust has protected more than 12,000 acres across Baldwin and Mobile counties, including land surrounding rivers, creeks, bays and sensitive wildlife habitats.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.