| Talladega National Forest | |
|---|---|
 Cheaha Mountain,Alabama's highest point, is located in Talladega National Forest. | |
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| Location | Alabama, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Talladega, Alabama |
| Coordinates | 33°11′46″N86°27′45″W / 33.19611°N 86.46250°W /33.19611; -86.46250 |
| Area | 392,567 acres (1,588.66 km2) |
| Established | July 17, 1936[1] |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | http://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/alabama |
TheTalladega National Forest is located in theU.S. state ofAlabama and covers 392,567 acres (613.39 sq mi, or 1,588.66 km2) at the southern edge of theAppalachian Mountains.[2]
Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area that composes the Talladega was extensively logged and represented some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in all of Alabama. Pine forest regrowth now hosts a diverse eco-system.
The tiny 7,400 acre (30 km2)Cheaha Wilderness preserves a portion of this natural wealth on Talladega Mountain. The forest's second wilderness area, theDugger Mountain Wilderness, protects the area around Alabama's second-highest mountain peak.
Indigenous animals inhabiting this forest includecoyote,black bear,white-tailed deer, two species offox,bobwhite quail, two species ofsquirrel,turkey,rabbit,raccoon, and various waterfowl. Talladega National Forest is home to several threatened, endangered, and sensitive species including theseepage salamander,eastern spotted skunk, and thered-cockaded woodpecker.[3][4][5] The critically endangeredAmerican Chestnut has also been found in the Talladega National Forest.[6]
This forest is headquartered inMontgomery, as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. The other National Forests in the state areConecuh,Tuskegee, andWilliam B. Bankhead. The Talladega National Forest is physically separated into two areas, and divided into three Ranger Districts:
The forest covers parts of eleven counties in Alabama. In descending order of forest land area they areCleburne,Clay,Bibb,Talladega,Perry,Hale,Calhoun,Chilton,Tuscaloosa,Cherokee, andDallas counties.[1]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| International | |
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