BEN - February 22, 2007 #279

1) Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2006 Numbers
2) Alabama Land Trust Protects Nearly 8500 Acres in 2006
3) JSU Field Schools: Over 100 Programs for 2007
4) Southern Research Institute "Clean-Up Facts" Website
5) BEN Notes: UA Seeking Museum Naturalist, WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins, Mulberry Race and Festival, The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy, Brookside Greenway Festival, Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration

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1. Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2006 Numbers - This year's 19th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup numbers are in, and once again there are some pretty impressive numbers, good and bad.

"The Good" - Within a four hour morning on September 16, 2006, within 24 cleanup zones along the Gulf Coast in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, as well in Covington and Conecuh Counties, 3000 volunteers removed debris from 200 miles of coastline. Since the program began in 1987, 44,946 volunteers have participated in Alabama, cleaning 2,773 miles of coastline.

"The Bad" - In 2006, volunteers removed a stunning 80,000 pounds of debris. Since the program began a total of 923,710 pounds of debris has been removed from Alabama's coastline.

A very effective program, to learn more about the Alabama Coastal Cleanup, and how to participate for 2007, visit http://www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com

2. Alabama Land Trust Protects Nearly 8500 Acres in 2006 - According to the Alabama Land Trust's (ALT) latest newsletter, the group protected more than nearly 8500 acres throughout Alabama in 2006.

Working with nineteen different landowners, ALT secured conservation easements ranging from 20 acres to 2000 acres. Land was protected in nearly every region in the state, including the Florence area, the Tallapoosa River Area, the Black Belt Region and the Northeast corner of Alabama.In total, ALT has protected 30,953 acres in Alabama, including 9,769 acres of Black Belt Prairie Ecosystem lands.

To learn more about the Alabama Land Trust and their many programs, visit their website at http://www.allandtrust.org

3. JSU Field Schools: Over 100 Programs for 2007 - The Jacksonville State University (JSU) Field Schools just released their 2007 Calendar of Events and Programs. This year, there are over 100 programs scheduled.

Since 1989, the JSU Field Schools, through their various partners have reached out to more than 200,000 people. Along with their programs, construction of the $6 million Little River Center will be begin in 2007. The new center, which will include innovative Green Building standards, will be home to the National Park Service, a conference center and multiple environmental education displays and programs. To access the 2007 program calendar and learn more about the JSU Field Schools, visit http://fieldschool.jsu.edu

4. Southern Research Institute "Clean-Up Facts" Website - Here is a good story about a proactive voluntary cleanup effort.

In 1941, the Southern Research Institute (SRI) was founded in Birmingham as a not for profit scientific research center. In 1952, the Institute purchased approximately 200 acres in North Shelby County near Chelsea. Approximately 0.8 of an acre of this property was used to dispose of lab waste from the 1950s to 1979. At the time, in the 50s, there were no regulations or guidelines for disposal of lab wastes. Of course that changed in the late 70s and the early 80s.

Presently, Southern Research has taken significant and proactive strides to voluntarily cleanup the site, and recently secured approval from ADEM to enact a cleanup plan. SRI has even created a website to educate and update the community about the cleanup. That link can be found here http://www.cleanupfacts.org

5. BEN Notes: UA Seeking Museum Naturalist, WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins, Mulberry Race and Festival, The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy, Brookside Greenway Festival, Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration

UA Seeking Museum Naturalist - The University of Alabama Museums is seeking a Museum Naturalist. For more information and how to apply go to http://www.jobs.ua.edu

WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins - The World Wildlife Fund has released a report on aquatic species and habitat information for 29 watersheds within the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins. You can read the report at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildplaces/sers/projects.cfm

Mulberry Race and Festival - Check out one of Alabama's best whitewater races and events, the Mulberry Race and Festival, March 3 & 4. For more information visit the Friends of Locust Fork website at http://www.flfr.org . To volunteer, contact Sam Howell at 205-684-4751 or showell@brescoinc.com

The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy - Don't miss "The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy" on Tuesday, March 6th, 7:00pm at the Saenger Theater in Mobile. There will also be a special pre-reception between 5:30-6:45pm. Order your tickets today through the Alabama Coastal Foundation at 251-990-6002. For additional details visit http://www.brooksidealabama.com or contact Francesca Gross at 205-264-8464.

Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration - The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be holding their 10th Anniversary Celebration/Watershed Leadership Conference on March 16-18 at Camp McDowell. National Wildlife Federation's Chair Jerome Ringo will be among the impressive list of speakers and guests. For more information about this event go to http://www.alabamarivers.org or call 205-322-6395. Scholarships are still available.