1) Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Protects 100+ Acres
2) Destruction of VX Mines in Anniston Completed
3) Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Center Receives LEED Gold Certification
4) Alabama Cities Join Forces - Create the Alabama Green Initiative
5) BEN Notes: Job Opening - TNC Director of Philanthropy, Clean Water Partnership Water Conservation Kits, Dauphin Island Sea Lab Summer Educational Programs, Auntie Litter's "Be a Solution to the Pollution!", University of Alabama - Hurricanes and Climate Change, CRS Annual Meeting, Salamander Festival, Wild About Chocolate, Legacy 2009 Partnership Conference, Alabama Hiking Trail Society Conference, ARA Watershed Leadership Conference, EEAA Conference, Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference
***********************************
A new sustainability consulting firm - ReSolutions - has formed in Birmingham . Check them out at - http://www.thinkresolutions.com or call Shawn Wright at 205-871-5011
**********************************
Thicket Magazine has a story about Alabama's emerging biomass/alternative clean fuels industry. Check out the article at http://thicketmag.com/content/?p=377 or better yet, purchase Thicket magazine at your local newsstand.
********************************
Great Washington Post Travel article about Alabama.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/23/AR2009012301957.html
*********************************
1. Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Protects 100+ Acres - According to the Huntsville Times, the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama wrapped up 2008 with two important land purchases in Madison County.
The first purchase of 97 acres was added to the Land Trust's Green Mountain holdings near the mountain's southernmost tip. Steve and Kimberly Clark donated the land, their second donation of land to the Trust in two years. Eventually, the Land Trust hopes the land on the southern end of Green Mountain can be connected to property on the northern end of the mountain as part of trail system.
In another crucial purchase, District 2 County Commissioner Faye Dyer devoted some of her $11,000 allocation from the Madison County Commission to help the Trust purchase 5.67 acres of land on the west slope of Monte Sano. The land will adjoin other land Trust properties on the slope.
For additional information about the Land Trust's holding and their trail system plans, visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org
2. Destruction of VX Mines in Anniston Completed - According to the Birmingham News, on Christmas Eve, the last VX filled land mine that had been stored at the Anniston Army Depot was destroyed. Overall, almost 362,000 munitions and more than 293,000 gallons of nerve agent were destroyed
"With the VX mines gone, there is realistically no risk for the community," said Timothy K. Garrett, the site project manager at the Anniston incinerator.
The incinerator's work is not complete, with nearly 2 million pounds of mustard agents to burn. But depot officials say mustard agents pose little threat without direct contact, as such, they pose little danger to the public while they are being burned. The goal of the Army is to finish destroying the stockpile by 2012 to satisfy the terms of an international treaty.
3) Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Center Receives LEED Gold Certification - In December, the Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center in Columbiana, Alabama became the 2nd building in Alabama to receive gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project. The first building in Alabama to receive the gold certification was the M. Miller Gorrie Building Science Center at Auburn University.
Some of the special features at the two story 17,400 square foot center include the use of rainwater to flush toilets and serve as fire sprinklers, use of natural light, use of automatic lighting and air conditioning systems that shut off when not needed and the use of recycled materials and new materials manufactured within 500 miles of the center.
To learn more about the 4-H Center visit http://www.aces.edu/4hcenter/
4) Alabama Cities Join Forces - Create the Alabama Green Initiative - Last week, several Birmingham area municipalities announced the formation of the Alabama Green Initiative (AGI), a non-profit organization created to assist Metro Birmingham cities and Jefferson County in applying for green-only and stimulus grant monies from President Barack Obama's upcoming stimulus package. AGI organizers cite low emission vehicles, public works projects and large scale community structures utilizing green-building standards as examples of what programs will be targeted.
For more information on the Alabama Green Initiative and an upcoming January 29th press conference to held Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover - contact Lydia Wilbanks at 205-251-2225.
5) BEN Notes: Job Opening - TNC Director of Philanthropy, Clean Water Partnership Water Conservation Kits, Dauphin Island Sea Lab Summer Educational Programs, Auntie Litter's "Be a Solution to the Pollution!" University of Alabama - Hurricanes and Climate Change, CRS Annual Meeting, Salamander Festival, Wild About Chocolate, Legacy 2009 Partnership Conference, Alabama Hiking Trail Society Conference, ARA Watershed Leadership Conference, EEAA Conference, Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference
Job Opening - TNC Director of Philanthropy - The Nature Conservancy of Alabama is seeking a Director of Philanthropy. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to job #10678 at http://www.nature.org/careers by February 6th.
Clean Water Partnership Water Conservation Kits - The Alabama Clean Water Partnership has water conservation kits available. Each kit has information and tools available for checking for toilet leaks, conservation for lawn watering including a rain gauge, and a timer to save water when showering. To request a free kit go to - http://www.cleanwaterpartnership.org/request-kit/
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Summer Educational Programs - Dauphin Island Sea Lab has opened up enrollment for its 2009 Summer Educational Programs. To check out their programs and application info, visit http://www.disl.org or call 251-861-2141.
Auntie Litter's "Be a Solution to the Pollution!" - Auntie Litter is kicking off their 2009 "Be a Solution to the Pollution!" clean air campaign with outreach to Jefferson and Shelby county schools. For information about this Alabama Partners for Clean Air sponsored campaign contact LaShanna Tripp at 205-879-3009 or email LTripp@AuntieLitter.org
University of Alabama - Hurricanes and Climate Change - The Alabama Perspectives on Sustainability and Climate Change lecture series at the University of Alabama will be holding a public talk featuring Dr. Kerry Emanuel, author of "Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes." The presentation is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 29th, 7:30 at the Biology Building Auditorium (Room 127)
CRS Annual Meeting - The Cahaba River Society will be holding their Annual Meeting on January 29th, 5:30 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For more information visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org
Salamander Festival - The annual Salamander Festival in Homewood, Alabama will be held this year on Sunday, January 31st, 3:00-5:30 at the Homewood Community Center at Homewood Central Park. There will be crafts, live salamanders and many displays.
Wild About Chocolate - The Alabama Wildlife Center will be holding their 5th Annual Wild About Chocolate Valentine Gala on February 14th, 7:00 PM at Workplay in Birmingham, Alabama. All proceeds from this wonderful event benefit the Center and the thousands of animals they save and rehabilitate over the year. Tickets in advance are $75 and can ordered at 205-663-7930. For additional details visit http://www.awrc.org
Legacy 2009 Partnership Conference - Legacy will be holding their 2009 Environmental Partnership Conference on Feb. 18-20 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The deadline to register is January 23rd. For details, visit the Legacy website at http://www.legacyenved.org/events/events_conf.htm
Alabama Hiking Trail Society Conference - The Alabama Hiking Trail Society will be holding their 7th Annual Conference, March 6th and 7th at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama. For complete details about this event, visit http://www.hikealabama.org/conference.html .
ARA Watershed Leadership Conference - The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be holding their 11th Annual Watershed Leadership Conference on March 20-22 at beautiful Camp McDowell. Visit http://www.alabamarivers.org for details.
EEAA Conference - The Environmental Education Association of Alabama will be holding their Annual Conference - titled "Woods and Water: Connections in Nature" from March 19 to March 21 at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. For information about the event, visit http://www.eeaa.us or call 256-426-5871.
Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference - The 2009 Southeast Land Trust Conference is coming to Alabama on March 25-26 at Auburn University's Dixon Conference in Auburn, Alabama. Check out the conference schedule and details at http://www.lta.org (visit "events" on the webpage)
O'Neal Bridge - the Tennessee River & the City of Florence
To many environmentalists, photographer Beth Young is the "Ansel Adams of Alabama." Please consider pre-ordering her new book Headwaters - A Journey on Alabama Rivers . You can check out a preview of the book at:
http://www.kingfishereditions.com/headwaters/phpslideshow.php?directory=.¤tPic=0
***********************************************
1. Mobile NEP Releases "State of the Bay" Report - According to the recently released Mobile Bay Estuary Program's "State of the Bay" report, the environmental health of Mobile Bay is in good shape, but continues to face many ecological challenges.
The report, which took four years to produce, used scientific data and environmental indicators from a variety of sources including water quality, wildlife habitats, land use and community involvement.
Some of the findings:
* Some threatened and endangered species in the Mobile Bay area seem to be rebounding. Manatee sightings in Alabama coastal waters have been on the rise, and species such as the brown pelican have been taken off the federal endangered species list.
* Increased urbanization has had a negative impact on several kinds of habitats. Development has been cropping up not only on the coastlines, but also many tributaries.
* Increased development and population growth has led to more impervious surfaces on the Alabama coast - roofs, roads and parking lots. As a result, pollutants/stormwater drain into the Bay at greater rates harming vegetation and causing an increase in flooding.
* Progress has been made to restore and conserve several coastal habitats, including salt marsh restoration on Mon Louis Island, dune production for the Alabama beach mouse in Bon Secour and shoreline stabilization on Dauphin Island.
* In Mobile and Baldwin counties, 44 water bodies are listed as impaired because of poor water quality, with about 22 of those listed because of levels of mercury contamination.
Portions of the "State of the Bay" report has been published in the Mobile Register. To read the entire report, visit http://www.mobilebaynep.com
2. City of Trussville to Protect 1472 Acres Along the Cahaba River - In a surprising move, last month, the city of Trussville announced it's intention to purchase 1472 acres along the Cahaba River from a developer who had slated the property for a 2000 home development. As a result of the housing downturn, Deerfoot Investment Co. agreed to sell the land to the Trussville Utilities Board for about half the appraised value. After developing a water well on a few acres, the Utilities Board will sell the remaining property to the city.
According to Trussville mayor Gene Melton, local leaders had been concerned about the developer's option for 2000 homes on the property, including the shaving off of the ridges to allow additional development. In lieu of the development the land will be used to help protect the Cahaba River, the mountain range and add to the city's park properties.
3. Report: Air Toxics at Unsafe Levels in Alabama - Last month, the Conservation Alabama Foundation released a report titled "Toxic Air Pollution in Alabama: A Threat to Human Health" which analyses air pollution data collected by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Jefferson County Department of Health and a consortium of organizations in Mobile County. The data, which came from local air toxic monitoring sites, cited 15 air toxics that exceeded the "maximum safe chronic exposure" limits set by EPA. Thirteen of the 15 air toxics are known or probable contributors to cancer, and the other two toxics acrolein and manganese have serious health affects as well.
The goal of the report according to its author environmental attorney David Ludder is to raise public awareness and encourage ADEM to acknowledge the air toxics problem and "do something about it." The full report is available online at Conservation Alabama Foundation's website http://www.conservationalabamafoundation.org or at the Law Office of David Ludder's website http://www.enviro-lawyer.com
4. Report: Green Resource Center for Alabama's "Green Gauge" Report - Last month, The Green Resource Center for Alabama released it's first annual "Green Gauge 2008" report highlighting some of the year's important developments toward making Alabama a greener place to live, work and play. The Bama Environmental News helped the Green Resource Center compile the report.
Here are some of the key green moments in 2008 from the Green Gauge :
* AEMC passing a stricter cancer risk standard for Alabama's waters.
* Enactment of legislation to support the state's landfill inspection program and provide grants to help expand recycling.
* Passage of a law increasing fines for illegal hunting and fishing.
* Forever Wild protects nearly 6000 acres in 2008
* Birmingham's Three Parks Initiative, the Alabama Scenic River Trail, Ladiga Trail connects to Silver Comet, State's 3rd Birding Trail in the Black Belt.
To read the entire Green Gauge Report visit http://www.greenalabama.org
5. BEN Notes: AWF's 2009 Alabama Flora & Fauna Art Show, Antarctica & Climate Change Presentation in Bham, ADEM's 20th Non-Point Source Conference, AWF's Workshops for Teachers, Cahaba River Society's Annual Meeting, Wild About Chocolate, Legacy 2009 Partnership Conference, ARA Watershed Leadership Conference
AWF's 2009 Alabama Flora & Fauna Art Show - The Alabama Wildlife Federation is holding their 5th Annual Flora and Fauna Art Show at Historic Lanark in Millbrook, Alabama, April 4-10. The deadline to submit art is February 6th. For details on how to participate, contact Ann Harper at 800-822-9453.
Antarctica & Climate Change Presentation in Bham - Join members of the Birmingham Audubon Society tonight, January 15th, 7:00 at the Birmingham Zoo for a presentation by Dr. James McClintock, the Endowed University Professor of Polar and Biology at the University of Alabama Birmingham. His topic will be on the ecological impacts of climate change on the Antarctic Peninsula. For info about Dr. McClintock and his program, visit http://www.antarctica.uab.edu .
ADEM's 20th Non-Point Source Conference - Alabama Clean Water Partnership and ADEM will be holding the 20th Annual Non-Point Source Conference "A 20 Year Journey of Alabama's NonPoint Source Program" on January 20-21 in Montgomery. For registration info go to: http://www.cleanwaterpartnership.org/adem/sourceConf.php
AWF's Workshops for Teachers - The Alabama Wildlife Federation will be holding Workshops for Teachers two or three times a month. In January, the AWF will be holding a "Discovering Alabama's Birds and Butterflies" workshop on Jan 27th in Cullman and Jan. 29th in Evergreen. On Jan. 22nd at the AWF Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook they will be holding the "Introduction to the Ponds for Kids" (PFK) Program. For additional info about AWF's teacher workshops, call Doyle Keasal at 334-844-6398 or April Waltz at 256-882-9322.
Cahaba River Society's Annual Meeting - The Cahaba River Society will be holding their Annual Meeting on January 29th, 5:30 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For more information visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org
Wild About Chocolate - The Alabama Wildlife Center will be holding their 5th Annual Wild About Chocolate Valentine Gala on February 14th, 7:00p.m. at Workplay in Birmingham, Alabama. All proceeds from this wonderful event benefit the Center and the thousands of animals they save and rehabilitate over the year. Tickets in advance are $75 and can ordered at 205-663-7930. For additional details visit http://www.awrc.org
Legacy 2009 Partnership Conference - Legacy will be holding their 2009 Environmental Partnership Conference on Feb. 18-20 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The deadline to register is January 23rd. For details, visit the Legacy website at http://www.legacyenved.org/events/events_conf.htm
ARA Watershed Leadership Conference - The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be holding their 11th Annual Watershed Leadership Conference on March 20-22 at beautiful Camp McDowell. Visit http://www.alabamarivers.org for details.
