Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Protect Forever Wild Appeal & Spring Calendar (updated)



Forever Wild Re-authorization Op-ed - Earth Day 2009 Reprinted


Below is an opinion piece I wrote nearly three years ago predicting the need to re-authorize Forever Wild. After this legislative session, there will be only one remaining legislative session before the funding for Forever Wild sunsets. Do not let opponents of Forever Wild "run out the legislative clock." We need to re-authorize Forever Wild now - as-is. Here is the 2009 Birmingham News op-ed.


http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2009/04/keep_funding_for_forever_wild.html


Best wishes, Pat Byington - BEN Publisher



Protect Forever Wild Today


The Alabama State Senate will be holding a public hearing at the Statehouse in Montgomery on Thursday, March 31st, 8:30AM. All supporters of Forever Wild should try to attend the hearing or call your local state senator (334-242-7800) or representative (334-242-7600). Visit the following two websites to learn how you can get involved:


http://www.protectforeverwild.org


http://conservationalabama.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=820



Keeping Alabama Forever Wild


We will be uploading new webpages/stories daily up until April 22nd. You can bookmark our website at:


http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/index.html


Upcoming Events


Sierra Club Outings Across the State

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/outings.html


Auburn University Forest Preserve Spring Events

http://auei.auburn.edu/events/index.php#Southeastern


Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Birmingham Botanical Gardens Events

http://www.bbgardens.org/index2.php


Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar of Events

http://www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org/calendar.htm


Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar of Events

http://www.hsvbg.org/index.php?mainID=2&subID=2&type=events


Fresh Air Family Event Calendar

http://www.freshairfamily.org/eventscalendar.html


Ruffner Mountain Calendar of Events

http://www.ruffnermountain.org/activities/events-calendar.html


Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar of Events

http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/CalendarOfEvents.html


Freshwater Land Trust Events Page

http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org/upcoming-events


Shoals Earth Month Activities

http://www.shoalsearthmonth.com


Black Warrior Riverkeeper Calendar

http://blackwarriorriver.org/calendar/index.php?cal_monthDate=2011-05


AWF Educator Workshops

http://alabamawildlife.org/conservation/?pageID=25


Weeks Bay Events Calendar

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Alabama Five Rivers Schedule of Events

http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/


Little River Canyon Center Events

http://www.jsu.edu/epic/EventCC.html


Landmark Park - Dothan Calendar of Events

http://landmarkpark.com/events.html#current


Renew Our Rivers Calendar - (Cleanup Dates)

http://www.alabamapower.com/lakes/schedule.asp


Alabama Wildlife Federation's Calendar of Events

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/events/


Cahaba River Society's Canoe outings

http://www.cahabariversociety.org/canoe.php



Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama "Green Means Go" Spring Hikes 2011

http://landtrustnal.org/new-green-means-go-hikes-for-spring-2011/



Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama "Spring Burst" Guided Hike Series

http://landtrustnal.org/land-trust-spring-burst-guided-hike-series/



Cahaba River Society "Every Drop Matters" - March 31st , Architecture Works

http://richardjosephsalonspa.com/events.php


Weeks Bay Day - 25th Anniversary - April 2nd 9-3pm

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Auburn University's Earthfest - April 2, 10:00 Arboretum

http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/events/earthfest.htm


Alabama Trails Conference - March 31 to April 3 in Fairhope

http://www.CheahaTrailRiders.com/ATC-Info/ATCFlyer.pdf


Friends of Hurricane Creek 2011 Spring Cleanup - April 9th

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/friends-of-hurricane-creek-2011-spring-cleanup/view


EEAA's Annual Conference "Learning Among the Longleafs" April 14-16 -

http://www.eeaa.us


Mobile Electronics Recycling

http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/events/electronics-recycling-0


Technical Knock Out to Sponsor Event at Whole Foods- Birmingham April 16

http://www/technicalko.net


The Great Drift - Saturday, April 16th, 2:00 Dog River Park in Mobile - Dog River Clearwater Revival

http://www.dogriver.org/uploads/6/2/5/2/6252936/greatdrift_flyer_f2.pdf


Operation Green Team's Earth Day in Huntsville - April 16th at the Hays Preserve

http://www.huntsvilleal.gov/greenteam/EarthDayExhibitors2011.pdf


Dauphin Island Sea Lab Discovery Day - April 17

http://press.disl.org/3_11_10dday.htm


Earthbound's EarthFest - April 17th, 2 to sundown Bessie Estelle Park Birmingham

http://blackwarriorriver.org/news/earthbounds-earthfest-2011.html


Earth Day at Samford University Schedule - April 18-22

http://www4.samford.edu/earthday/schedule.html


Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade - April 20th at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham -

http://www.auntielitter.org


Party for the Planet at the Birmingham Zoo - April 21-23

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/party-for-the-planet-earth-day-event-at-the-birmingham-zoo/


Earth Day Safari at the Montgomery Zoo - April 20-21

http://www.eventcrazy.com/Montgomery-AL/events/details/363418-Earth-Day-Safari


Earth Day Mobile Bay - April 23rd in Fairhope

http://www.earthdaymobilebay.org/


University of West Alabama Earth Day - Livingston, Alabama - April 23rd

http://act.earthday.org/event/university-west-alabama-honors-earth-day-2011


Alabama Environmental Council Green Tie Affair - April 28th - Good People Brewery , Birmingham

http://www.aeconline.org/greentieaffair


3rd Annual Delta Woods & Waters Expo - April 30th at 5 Rivers on the Causeway

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/3rd-annual-delta-woods-waters-expo


Freshwater Land Trust Darter Dash - April 30, 8:30am Turkey Creek Preserve

http://www.active.com/running/pinson-al/freshwater-land-trust-darter-dash-2011


Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham - May 1st

http://www.bbgardens.org/earth-day.php


Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Cocktails with the Critters - May 5th

http://press.disl.org/3_20_11foundation.html


Audubon Mountain Workshop (May 12-15)

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/education/amw

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/images/Other_Uploded_Files/AMW/AMW_2011_brochure.pdf


Bald Eagle Bash - June 4th, 4-7pm - Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center

http://www.BaldEagleBash.com


Legacy's 2011 Workshop Calendar

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/educator-workshops/2011-workshops


Legacy's 2011 Enviro-Bowl Schedule

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/student-activities/envirobowl


Jobs and Announcements


Project Coordinator for Gulf of Mexico Conservation Coalition

http://www.landtrustalliance.org/about/jobs/open-positions/project-coordinator-for-gulf-of-mexico


Dauphin Island Sea Lab Internships

http://press.disl.org/jobs/grahamsummerintern.html


Wild South Internships in Alabama

http://www.wildsouth.org/index.php/work-with-us/51-internship-opportunities/237-internship-opportunities


Alabama Wildlife Federation Seeking Resource Stewardship Biologist

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/uploadedFiles/File/Longleaf_biologist_position_announcement.pdf


Freshwater Land Trust Land Steward Position

http://alabamanonprofits.org/job-opening.php?cn=152


Mobile Baykeeper Development Director

http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/news/immediate-opening-development-director


Mobile Baykeeper Partnership Coordinator

http://mobilebaykeeper.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/immediate-opening


Mobile Bay NEP Communications Position

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/job-announcement-public-relationscommunications-manager/


Legacy Earth Month Sponsorships - Deadline Feb. 28th

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/earth-month-sponsorships


Gulf Guardians Nominations - Deadline March 31st

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfguard/2011_awards.html


Legacy Competitive Grants - April 29th Deadline

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/sub-menu-1


Legacy Mini Grants

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/sub-menu-2


Audubon Mountain Workshop Scholarships (May12-15 in Mentone)

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/amwscholarships


NOAA-TNC Community Restoration Grants - April 1 deadline

http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/restoration/programs/crp.html


Alabama Outdoor Classroom grants

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/uploadedFiles/File/Grant_Opps_for_OC_Schools_(update_Jan_11).pdf


Mountains to the Gulf Teacher Workshop - Deadline April 29th

http://www.alabama.sierraclub.org/chapternews/february2011/mountainstogulf.pdf


Fish America Grants - May 16th Deadline

http://www.fishamerica.org/grants/


EPA Gulf Guardian Awards - March 31 Deadline

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/

Friday, March 25, 2011

Keeping Alabama Forever Wild - March 20-25



Keeping Alabama Forever Wild on al.com for the Week of March 20-25


This week featured the following special places: The Walls of Jericho, Dauphin Island Sanctuary, Bankhead National Forest, the Bartram Canoe Trail, Horse Pens 40 and a rock shelter in Colbert County


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We will be uploading new webpages/stories up until April 22nd. You can bookmark our website at:


http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/index.html


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The Walls of Jericho in Jackson County - March 25

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/the_walls_of_jericho_-_a_place.html



Dauphin Island - March 24

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/dauphin_island_needs_photo_and.html


Bankhead National Forest - March 23

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/it_was_good_to_be_home_by_dan.html


Bartram Canoe Trail - March 22

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/the_real_heart_of_dixie_true_s.html


Horse Pens 40 - Chandler Mountain- March 21

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/post_11.html


Rock Shelter in Colbert County - March 20

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/03/the_best_amusement_park_a_boy.html

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

BEN - March 22, 2011 #351




Special in this Edition: Conservation Alabama's Hot List - March 21, Freshwater Land Trust Wendy Jackson's Forever Wild op-ed, Local Governments Appeal New ADEM Stormwater Regulations, Birmingham Southern College Student Finds Rare Wildflower at Ruffner


Protect Alabama Forever Wild


Learn how YOU can Support Forever Wild Re-authorization Legislation TODAY

http://www.protectforeverwild.org/get-involved/



Keeping Alabama Forever Wild Series on al.com


We will be uploading new webpages/stories up until April 22nd. You can bookmark our website at:


http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/index.html



You can also 'like" Keeping Alabama Forever Wild on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/KeepingAlabamaForeverWild


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Op-eds, Links and Videos


Conservation Alabama's Hot List - March 21

http://www.conservationalabama.org/vertical/Sites/{8E4DA6E2-1A16-43DE-9136-81711C3678F5}/uploads/{52132B5A-C40A-4C98-9097-777E5B732CBC}.PDF


Freshwater Land Trust Wendy Jackson's Forever Wild op-ed

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/03/viewpoints_most_people_want_fo.html


Birmingham News Forever Wild Editorial

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/03/our_view_a_resolution_to_creat.html


James Evans: "Caring for the environment" Anniston Star op-ed

http://www.annistonstar.com/view/full_story/12395617/article-James-L--Evans--Caring-for-the-environment?instance=home_opinion


Attorney General Strange "Quit Dragging Feet" on BP Claims Process (video)

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf_oil_spill/ag-to-gccf-quit-dragging-feet


Locust Fork Journal's Glynn Wilson"The Big Picture" op-ed

http://blog.locustfork.net/2011/03/on-the-first-day-of-spring-all-is-not-right-with-the-world/#more-12359



News Across Alabama



Much of Oil Spill 2010 did not make it to the surface (Mobile Register)

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/03/scientists_discuss_oil_spill_a.html


City of Birmingham Passes Resolution Opposing Shepherds Bend

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Birmingham-passes-resolution-opposing-Sheperd/BNKN7L81k0aW6qydb4CICw.cspx


Coosa Riverkeeper Profile in the Gadsden Times

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20110318/news/110319773


Federal Judge Dismisses Clean Air Lawsuit

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/03/federal_judge_in_birmingham_di.html


EPA Fines TVA $450,000 for Clean Air Violations

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/03/epa_fines_tva_450000_for_clean.html


Local Governments Appeal New ADEM Stormwater Regulations

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20110315/articles/30315999


Birmingham Southern College Student Finds Rare Wildflower at Ruffner

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/03/bsc_student_finds_rare_wildflo.html


Hundreds Attend Conecuh Woods Landfill Public Hearing

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/03/hundreds_rally_for_public_hear.html


Status of Green Building Movement in Alabama (Birmingham News)

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/03/is_alabamas_green_building_sec.html



Spring Events/Workshops/Job Announcements & Grants


http://bamanews2.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-calendar-of-eventsworkshopsgrant.html


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Special Promotion - Check Out Energy Efficient Products


http://www.dixiehomecrafters.com/ * Contact my nephew Warren Brewer at 423-637-0830 or wbrewer@dixiehomecrafters.com Make sure to tell him you are a BEN reader.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Spring Calendar of Events/Workshops/Grant & Job Announcements - Updated



Longleaf Pine Tree at Splinter Hill


Upcoming Events - Mobile Baykeeper's 2nd Annual HopsFest , Cahaba River Society "Every Drop Matters" , Weeks Bay Day 25th Anniversary, Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade, The Great Drift - Dog River Clearwater Revival in Mobile, Alabama Environmental Council Green Tie Affair



Keeping Alabama Forever Wild


We will be uploading new webpages/stories up until April 22nd. You can bookmark our website at:


http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/index.html


Upcoming Events


Sierra Club Outings Across the State

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/outings.html


Auburn University Forest Preserve Spring Events

http://auei.auburn.edu/events/index.php#Southeastern


Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Birmingham Botanical Gardens Events

http://www.bbgardens.org/index2.php


Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar of Events

http://www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org/calendar.htm


Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar of Events

http://www.hsvbg.org/index.php?mainID=2&subID=2&type=events


Fresh Air Family Event Calendar

http://www.freshairfamily.org/eventscalendar.html


Ruffner Mountain Calendar of Events

http://www.ruffnermountain.org/activities/events-calendar.html


Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar of Events

http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/CalendarOfEvents.html


Freshwater Land Trust Events Page

http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org/upcoming-events


Shoals Earth Month Activities

http://www.shoalsearthmonth.com


Black Warrior Riverkeeper Calendar

http://blackwarriorriver.org/calendar/index.php?cal_monthDate=2011-05


AWF Educator Workshops

http://alabamawildlife.org/conservation/?pageID=25


Weeks Bay Events Calendar

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Alabama Five Rivers Schedule of Events

http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/


Little River Canyon Center Events

http://www.jsu.edu/epic/EventCC.html


Landmark Park - Dothan Calendar of Events

http://landmarkpark.com/events.html#current


Renew Our Rivers Calendar - (Cleanup Dates)

http://www.alabamapower.com/lakes/schedule.asp


Alabama Wildlife Federation's Calendar of Events

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/events/


Cahaba River Society's Canoe outings

http://www.cahabariversociety.org/canoe.php


2011 Alabama Cup Whitewater Races on Locust and Mulberry Fork - Feb. 5-6, Mar. 5-6 & March 26-27

http://www.alabamacupraces.com/


Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama "Green Means Go" Spring Hikes 2011

http://landtrustnal.org/new-green-means-go-hikes-for-spring-2011/



Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama "Spring Burst" Guided Hike Series

http://landtrustnal.org/land-trust-spring-burst-guided-hike-series/


Wild South Green-Tie Gala March 25th Asheville, NC

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1919/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=66852


Learn Frogging by Ear - March 25-27 Solon Dixon Forestry Center (Deadline March 21)

http://sdfee.auburn.edu - 334-881-0084 or 205-533-1407 jrstiles@earthlink.net



Mobile Baykeeper's 2nd Annual HopsFest - March 26th

http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/events/hopsfest-0


Cahaba River Society "Every Drop Matters" - March 31st , Architecture Works

http://richardjosephsalonspa.com/events.php


Weeks Bay Day - 25th Anniversary - April 2nd 9-3pm

http://www.weeksbay.org/calendar.htm


Auburn University's Earthfest - April 2, 10:00 Arboretum

http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/events/earthfest.htm


Alabama Trails Conference - March 31 to April 3 in Fairhope

http://www.CheahaTrailRiders.com/ATC-Info/ATCFlyer.pdf


Friends of Hurricane Creek 2011 Spring Cleanup - April 9th

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/friends-of-hurricane-creek-2011-spring-cleanup/view


EEAA's Annual Conference "Learning Among the Longleafs" April 14-16 -

http://www.eeaa.us


Mobile Electronics Recycling

http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/events/electronics-recycling-0


Technical Knock Out to Sponsor Event at Whole Foods- Birmingham April 16

http://www/technicalko.net


The Great Drift - Saturday, April 16th, 2:00 Dog River Park in Mobile - Dog River Clearwater Revival

http://www.dogriver.org/uploads/6/2/5/2/6252936/greatdrift_flyer_f2.pdf


Operation Green Team's Earth Day in Huntsville - April 16th at the Hays Preserve

http://www.huntsvilleal.gov/greenteam/EarthDayExhibitors2011.pdf


Earthbound's EarthFest - April 17th, 2 to sundown Bessie Estelle Park Birmingham

http://blackwarriorriver.org/news/earthbounds-earthfest-2011.html


Earth Day at Samford University Schedule - April 18-22

http://www4.samford.edu/earthday/schedule.html


Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade - April 20th at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham -

http://www.auntielitter.org


Party for the Planet at the Birmingham Zoo - April 21-23

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/party-for-the-planet-earth-day-event-at-the-birmingham-zoo/


Earth Day Safari at the Montgomery Zoo - April 20-21

http://www.eventcrazy.com/Montgomery-AL/events/details/363418-Earth-Day-Safari


Earth Day Mobile Bay - April 23rd in Fairhope

http://www.earthdaymobilebay.org/


University of West Alabama Earth Day - Livingston, Alabama - April 23rd

http://act.earthday.org/event/university-west-alabama-honors-earth-day-2011


Alabama Environmental Council Green Tie Affair - April 28th - Good People Brewery , Birmingham

http://www.aeconline.org/greentieaffair


3rd Annual Delta Woods & Waters Expo - April 30th at 5 Rivers on the Causeway

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/3rd-annual-delta-woods-waters-expo


Freshwater Land Trust Darter Dash - April 30, 8:30am Turkey Creek Preserve

http://www.active.com/running/pinson-al/freshwater-land-trust-darter-dash-2011


Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham - May 1st

http://www.bbgardens.org/earth-day.php


Audubon Mountain Workshop (May 12-15)

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/education/amw

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/images/Other_Uploded_Files/AMW/AMW_2011_brochure.pdf


Bald Eagle Bash - June 4th, 4-7pm - Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center

http://www.BaldEagleBash.com


Legacy's 2011 Workshop Calendar

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/educator-workshops/2011-workshops


Legacy's 2011 Enviro-Bowl Schedule

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/student-activities/envirobowl


Jobs and Announcements


Project Coordinator for Gulf of Mexico Conservation Coalition

http://www.landtrustalliance.org/about/jobs/open-positions/project-coordinator-for-gulf-of-mexico


Dauphin Island Sea Lab Internships

http://press.disl.org/jobs/grahamsummerintern.html


Alabama Environmental Council Seeking Recycling Coordinator

http://www.aeconline.org/jobs


Alabama Wildlife Federation Seeking Resource Stewardship Biologist

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/uploadedFiles/File/Longleaf_biologist_position_announcement.pdf


Freshwater Land Trust Land Steward Position

http://alabamanonprofits.org/job-opening.php?cn=152


Mobile Baykeeper Development Director

http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/news/immediate-opening-development-director


Mobile Baykeeper Partnership Coordinator

http://mobilebaykeeper.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/immediate-opening


Mobile Bay NEP Communications Position

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/job-announcement-public-relationscommunications-manager/


Legacy Earth Month Sponsorships - Deadline Feb. 28th

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/earth-month-sponsorships


Gulf Guardians Nominations - Deadline March 31st

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfguard/2011_awards.html


Legacy Competitive Grants - April 29th Deadline

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/sub-menu-1


Legacy Mini Grants

http://www.legacyenved.org/index.php/grants-and-scholarships/sub-menu-2


Audubon Mountain Workshop Scholarships (May12-15 in Mentone)

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/amwscholarships


NOAA-TNC Community Restoration Grants - April 1 deadline

http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/restoration/programs/crp.html


Alabama Outdoor Classroom grants

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/uploadedFiles/File/Grant_Opps_for_OC_Schools_(update_Jan_11).pdf


Mountains to the Gulf Teacher Workshop - Deadline April 29th

http://www.alabama.sierraclub.org/chapternews/february2011/mountainstogulf.pdf


Fish America Grants - May 16th Deadline

http://www.fishamerica.org/grants/


EPA Gulf Guardian Awards - March 31 Deadline

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/