BEN - November 8, 2006 #271

1) Forever Wild Purchases 340 Acres in Huntsville
2) Forever Wild Car Tag Results: $250,000 +
3) New Cahaba River Canoe Launch Near Selma
4) BEN Notes: Nature's Lens Opening Reception, Wolf Bay Monitor Awards, Wenonah Area Safe Routes to School Workshop, Bay Buddy Training, Coastal Wonders at Camp Beckwith, Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium, Ivory-billed Woodpecker Websites

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1. Forever Wild Purchases 340 Acres in Huntsville - Forever Wild, Alabama's land preservation program, "cut the ribbon" this week on the purchase of a new 340 tract on Green Mountain overlooking Hampton Cove and Jones Valley in Huntsville and Madison County. An effort that took nearly 3 years to complete, the purchase is the biggest piece of a nearly 900 acre outdoor preserve spanning parts of Green and Huntsville mountains.

This "model" public-private partnership was accomplished through the support of the City of Huntsville, the Madison County Commission and the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama. The land, was owned by the Certain family since the late 1800s.

According to the Huntsville Times, Drew Certain said his father, the late William Lewis Certain III, was a "consummate outdoorsman." "It was very hard to turn loose of the land. But I can't think of any better people to turn it over to." said Certain in the Times.

2. Forever Wild Car Tag Results: $250,000 + - According to a report from Joe Copeland, for fiscal year 2006, which ended September 30th, the Forever Wild Car Tag netted the Forever Wild Land Trust $253,546. This is a $44,929 or 21% increase from 2005.

To learn more about the Forever Wild car tag email Joe at joec@powernet.org

3. New Cahaba River Canoe Launch Near Selma - According to the Selma Times Journal, this week local and state officials celebrated the acquisition of a new canoe launch site on the lower Cahaba River. Located at the Alabama Highway 22 bridge east of Selma, the seven acre site is part of an effort to develop a Cahaba River Canoe Trail stretching from Birmingham to Selma.

The site, which is expected to open in 2007, is a partnership among The Nature Conservancy of Alabama, the Alabama Power Company, Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama-Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

4. BEN Notes: Nature's Lens Opening Reception, Wolf Bay Monitor Awards, Wenonah Area Safe Routes to School Workshop, Bay Buddy Training, Coastal Wonders at Camp Beckwith, Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium, Ivory-billed Woodpecker Websites

Nature's Lens Opening Reception - Nature photographer Anne DelBene is making her Atlanta, Georgia debut with an open reception at Java Monkey: an organic coffee and wine bar, tonight (Nov. 3rd) from 7:00-10:00. The show titled "Tis a Beautiful Season" will run through November 30th. If you can't make it to Atlanta, check out Anne's beautiful work at http://www.natureslens.org

Wolf Bay Monitor Awards - Our friends at Wolf Bay in Baldwin County will be celebrating and recognizing their many dedicated water monitors this Saturday, November 4th, 4:00 PM at the Bay Forest Club House. State Senator Bradley Byrnes will be on hand to distribute the awards. To learn more about this event, call Liz at 850-712-1137.

Wenonah Area Safe Routes to School Workshop - The National Center for Bicycling and Walking will be facilitating a community discussion of Safe Routes to School. This workshop will promote safety and ideas on how to improve the walking and cycling environment. The event will be held on November 8th 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Lawson State Community, College Building 3, Birmingham. Contact Tom Maxwell at 205-264-8445 for more info.

Bay Buddy Training - The Alabama Coastal Foundation will be holding a "Bay Buddy Training," for individuals interested in volunteering for the Gulf Coast Bay Program, November 8, 3:00, PM at the Alabama Coastal Foundation Office, located at 122 Fairhope Ave. in Fairhope, Alabama. For detailed info, go to http://www.joinacf.org

Coastal Wonders at Camp Beckwith - Camp Beckwith, the Episcopal Church Camp in Baldwin County, has an innovative environmental education program called Coastal Wonders. Check out their website, http://www.coastalwonders.org/ for additional details.

Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium - Please make plans to attend the Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium on November 28-29 in Mobile. This event is one of the most important symposiums about the Gulf and Alabama's Mobile Bay held in the region. The last event of this kind that was held focusing on Alabama's coast was in 1995. For more details go to http://ambbs.mobilebaynep.com/ or contact Tiffany England at 251-431-6409 or Shonda Borden 251-438-5690.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker Websites - Have you caught Ivory-billed Woodpecker fever? Check out these blogs/websites documenting the search...

http://ivorybills.blogspot.com
http://www.nokuse.org
Geoff Hill's Auburn University Website