4th Annual Green Report 2011

A new report by the nonprofit Green Resource Center for Alabama (GRCA – http://www.greenalabama.org ) in partnership with the Bama Environmental News (http://bamanews2.blogspot.com/ ) outlines some of the most important environmental developments in 2011 on the path toward making Alabama a “greener” state.

The fourth annual GRCA Green Progress Report recaps some of the most significant events in 2011 related to improving Alabama’s environment, reducing energy use and waste, and protecting the state’s natural resources.

Check out the entire report - here.

BEN - December 26, 2011 #379

Special in this Edition: Christmas Tree Recycling Across Alabama, Birds of Alabama, Neighbors React to EPA's North Birmingham Decision, Alabama Receives $11.2 Million Energy Windfall from TVA, Rare Hummingbird Seen in Northport, Camp McDowell Summer Job Applications (Due Jan. 1, 2012)

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Support BEN & the 4th Annual Green Report 2011 - Please Donate 

http://bamanews2.blogspot.com/2011/12/ben-green-report-2011-appeal-thank-you.html

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Christmas Tree Recycling Across Alabama

http://www.aeconline.org/christmastree

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Locust Fork News-Journal: Birds of Alabama

http://blog.locustfork.net/category/birds-of-alabama/

al.com: Camelias at the Mobile Botanical Gardens (slideshow)

http://photos.al.com/alcom_photo_essay/2011/12/camelias_in_bloom_at_mobile_bo.html#incart_hbx

CBS 42 : Neighbors React to EPA's North Birmingham Decision

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Neighbors-React-to-EPA-Measures/Rwl7Gt6MFUSIwZyegCTs7Q.cspx

Birmingham News: ADEM Recycling Grants Fill Gaps (editorial)

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/12/our_view_an_adem_grant_will_he.html

Times Daily: Hike Reveals True Beauty of the Season (op-ed by Scott Morris

http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/Hike-reveals-true-beauty-of-season,185704

News Across Alabama

Birmingham News: EPA Calls For North Birmingham Cleanup

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/12/epa_puts_birminghams_walter_co.html

Birmingham News: New Mercury Air Pollution Rules Moving Forward

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/12/mercury_pollution_rules_to_hit.html

Chattanooga Times Free Press: Alabama Receives $11.2 Million Energy Windfall from TVA

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/24/states-receive-energy-windfall/

Tuscaloosa News: Rare Hummingbird Seen in Northport

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111224/NEWS/111229895/1291/opinion

Fort Payne Times-Journal:Black Bear Hit by Car Near Little River Canyon Preserve

http://times-journal.com/news/article_fb3acfc8-2b5a-11e1-864c-0019bb2963f4.html?fb_ref=.TvE9fSR0Px8.like&fb_source=profile_oneline

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Camp ASCCA Summer Employment

http://www.campascca.org/staffing-hiring/

Camp McDowell Summer Job Applications (Due Jan. 1, 2012)

http://campmcdowell.dioala.org/Summer%20Camp%20&%20Events/staff-application.html

Help Wanted: Birmingham Audubon Seeks Director

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/execdir

Help Wanted: Mobile Bay NEP Project/Outreach Coordinator

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/news/career_oppourtunity

EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

http://eeinalabama.org/core/item/topic.aspx?s=0.0.0.37934&tid=85010

North Alabama Sierra Calendar - December

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/northalabama/northalnews2011-11.html

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

http://www.dogriver.org

23rd Annual Nonpoint Source Conference - January 24th, 2012

http://www.adem.state.al.us/misc/2012NPSConference.cnt

Alabama Hiking Trail Society 2012 Annual Conference - March 9-12, 2012, 4-H Conference Center, Columbiana

http://www.hikealabama.org/content/2012-conference-registration-now-open

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Confference - March 16-18 @ Camp Beckwith

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/watershed-leadership-conference

2012 Audubon Mountain Workshop and Young Naturalist's Program - May 10-13

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/birdingfldtrips/audmtnwrk

Conservation Alabama Calendar

http://www.conservationalabama.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC=%7B122D6A25-83DF-43F7-A51D-9E776618F3FB%7D

Fresh Air Family Calendar

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

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

http://www.hikealabama.org/calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

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

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/

Renew Our Rivers 2011 Calendar

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

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

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

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-off Calendar

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/hunting/?pageID=58

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Events Calendar

http://landtrustnal.org/2011/12/17/?ec3_listing=events

Ocean Camp Registration

http://www.facebook.com/oceancamp

BEN - December 19, 2011 #378

Judson College in Marion, Alabama

Special in this Edition: Support BEN & the 4th Annual Green Report 2011 - Please Donate, Help Wanted: Two Nature Conservancy of Alabama Diversity Internships (Dec. 19th Deadline), Beth Young's Photography - Kingfisher Editions, Dothan Eagle: Dothan City School System Green Renovations, Operation Migration in Alabama, WAFF- Huntsville: Alabama's Hunters Helping the Hungry Program, Mobile Register: Sea Turtle License Tag Gets Conditional OK

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Support BEN & the 4th Annual Green Report 2011 - Please Donate

http://bamanews2.blogspot.com/2011/12/ben-green-report-2011-appeal-thank-you.html

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Beth Young's Photography - Kingfisher Editions

http://www.cahabariverpublishing.com/

Johnny GreenSeeds Wines

http://www.jgswines.com

Weeks Bay 2011 Christmas Ornament (on sale)

http://www.weeksbay.org/ornament_2011.html

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Enjoy 12th Annual Weeks Bay Annual Photo Contest

http://www.weeksbay.org/12_photo/winners_12th.html

Operation Migration in Alabama

http://operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html

The Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center

http://www.campascca.org/environmental-center/

Camp McDowell Environmental Center

http://www.cmec.dioala.org/

News Across Alabama

New Hatchery and Laboratory Begins Construction in Gulf Shores

http://www.outdooralabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=988

WAFF- Huntsville: Alabama's Hunters Helping the Hungry Program

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13805384

Mobile Register: Sea Turtle License Tag Gets Conditional OK

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/12/share_the_beach_license_plate.html

Times Daily: Whooping Cranes Grounded in Russellville Alabama

http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/Rare-whooping-cranes-remain-grounded-in-Russellville,185420?content_source=&category_id=29&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_

by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=

Dothan Eagle: Dothan City School System Green Renovations

http://www2.dothaneagle.com/news/2011/aug/19/dothan-city-schools-invest-green-renovation-ar-2297069/

Camp ASCCA's Environmental Camp Profiled

http://www.campascca.org/news/?newsID=393

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Camp ASCCA Summer Employment

http://www.campascca.org/staffing-hiring/

Camp McDowell Summer Job Applications (Due Jan. 1, 2012)

http://campmcdowell.dioala.org/Summer%20Camp%20&%20Events/staff-application.html

Help Wanted: Birmingham Audubon Seeks Director

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/execdir

Help Wanted: Mobile Bay NEP Project/Outreach Coordinator

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/news/career_oppourtunity

Help Wanted: Two Nature Conservancy of Alabama Diversity Internships

http://www.nature.org/aboutus/diversity/diversity-internships-at-the-nature-conservancy.xml

EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

http://eeinalabama.org/core/item/topic.aspx?s=0.0.0.37934&tid=85010

North Alabama Sierra Calendar - December

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/northalabama/northalnews2011-11.html

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

http://www.dogriver.org

23rd Annual Nonpoint Source Conference - January 24th, 2012

http://www.adem.state.al.us/misc/2012NPSConference.cnt

Alabama Hiking Trail Society 2012 Annual Conference - March 9-12, 2012, 4-H Conference Center, Columbiana

http://www.hikealabama.org/content/2012-conference-registration-now-open

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Confference - March 16-18 @ Camp Beckwith

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/watershed-leadership-conference

2012 Audubon Mountain Workshop and Young Naturalist's Program - May 10-13

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/birdingfldtrips/audmtnwrk

Conservation Alabama Calendar

http://www.conservationalabama.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC=%7B122D6A25-83DF-43F7-A51D-9E776618F3FB%7D

Fresh Air Family Calendar

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

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

http://www.hikealabama.org/calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

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

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/

Renew Our Rivers 2011 Calendar

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

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

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

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-off Calendar

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/hunting/?pageID=58

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Events Calendar

http://landtrustnal.org/2011/12/17/?ec3_listing=events

Ocean Camp Registration

http://www.facebook.com/oceancamp

BEN Green Report 2011 Appeal - Thank you for Your Support

Update:  The 2011 Green Report that was released on December 27th. Upload your copy of the report here.


The GRCA/BEN appeal has been extended to January 15th.  Please donate.  Info how to contribute below.

Dear BEN Reader:

This is the first time in 13 years I have asked for financial support of a project that benefits the Bama Environmental News.

For the past three years the Green Resource Center for Alabama (GRCA) has produced an annual environmental report in Alabama called the Green Progress Report (a copy of the 2009 Green Report is here).

A Great Opportunity

This year, the Bama Environmental News is partnering with GRCA to release the Alabama Green Progress Report 2011 version. I will be the lead author and in late December we will be holding several media events highlighting successful environmental projects throughout the state.

To enable us to produce this report and hold the media events in December - we need your financial support and help.

Your donation to the Green Resource Center for Alabama, which is tax deductible, will go directly toward producing and promoting the Alabama Green Progress Report 2011.

Here is the link to the Green Resource Center of Alabama's Donation/PayPal page.

http://www.greenalabama.org/?page_id=322

If you feel uncomfortable sending a donation via the internet, you can also mail a donation to the KPS Group c/o Susan Lineberry Barron, 2101 First Ave. North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. Make check payable to the Green Resource Center of Alabama.

I deeply appreciate your support and readership. Please feel free to contact me at pkbyington@aol.com or 205-999-7655 if you have any questions about this important project.

Best wishes,

Pat Byington

Publisher

Bama Environmental News

BEN - December 12, 2011 #377

Special in this Edition: Weeks Bay Foundation Newsletter: The Peican Post, Gulf Future Coalition: "Sunshine on the Gulf - The Case for Transparency in Restoration Project Selection, USDA: Department of Agriculture Proposes $50 million for Gulf-wide Restoration, Birmingham News: Alabama Ranked 8th on Filthy 15 List for Air Pollution, EPA Press Release: Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) Completes 2002 Consent Decree

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Freshwater Land Trust Nature Gift Ideas

http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org/2011/11/holiday-gifts/

Sweetwater Pecan Company - Great Holiday Gifts Natural & Fresh from Terry and Susan Bishop

http://www.sweetwaterpc.com/SweetwaterPecn2011/Home.html

Johnny GreenSeeds Wines

http://www.jgswines.com

Weeks Bay 2011 Christmas Ornament (on sale)

http://www.weeksbay.org/ornament_2011.html

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Weeks Bay Foundation Newsletter: The Peican Post

http://www.weeksbay.org/pelican_post/pelican_post_final_web_version2011.pdf

NBC 13: Vestavia Hills Police Department Goes Green with Propane (video)

http://video.alabamas13.com/v/49454167/vestavia-hills-police-vehicles-now-use-propane-gas.htm?q=vestavia+propane

Gulf Future Coalition: "Sunshine on the Gulf - The Case for Transparency in Restoration Project Selection

http://www.gulffuture.org/images/stories/Sunshine%20on%20the%20Gulf%20-The%20Case%20for%20Transparency%20in%20Restoration%20Project%20Selection.pdf

Coosa Riverkeeper : Coal Ash in the Coosa Valley (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYlET3PQmyM

News Across Alabama

USDA: Department of Agriculture Proposes $50 million for Gulf-wide Restoration

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2011/12/0499.xml&navid=NEWS_RELEASE&navtype=RT&parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&edeployment_action=retrievecontent

Birmingham News: Alabama Ranked 8th on Filthy 15 List for Air Pollution

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/12/alabama_ranked_no_8_on_list_of.html

Birmingham News - Birmingham Recycling Expanding

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/12/recycling_to_expand_in_birming.html

Playgrounds at Alabama's State Parks Benefit from Scrap Tires

http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/12/recycled_tires_used_for_playgr.html

EPA Press Release: Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) Completes 2002 Consent Decree

http://mobilebaykeeper.org/news/mawss-completes-2002-consent-decree-work

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Help Wanted: Birmingham Audubon Seeks Director

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/execdir

Help Wanted: Mobile Bay NEP Project/Outreach Coordinator

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/news/career_oppourtunity

Help Wanted: Two Nature Conservancy of Alabama Diversity Internships

http://www.nature.org/aboutus/diversity/diversity-internships-at-the-nature-conservancy.xml

EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

http://eeinalabama.org/core/item/topic.aspx?s=0.0.0.37934&tid=85010

North Alabama Sierra Calendar - December

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/northalabama/northalnews2011-11.html

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

http://www.dogriver.org

23rd Annual Nonpoint Source Conference - January 24th, 2012

http://www.adem.state.al.us/misc/2012NPSConference.cnt

Alabama Hiking Trail Society 2012 Annual Conference - March 9-12, 2012, 4-H Conference Center, Columbiana

http://www.hikealabama.org/content/2012-conference-registration-now-open

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Confference - March 16-18 @ Camp Beckwith

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/watershed-leadership-conference

2012 Audubon Mountain Workshop and Young Naturalist's Program - May 10-13

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/birdingfldtrips/audmtnwrk

Conservation Alabama Calendar

http://www.conservationalabama.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC=%7B122D6A25-83DF-43F7-A51D-9E776618F3FB%7D

Fresh Air Family Calendar

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

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

http://www.hikealabama.org/calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

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

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

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

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-off Calendar

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/hunting/?pageID=58

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Events Calendar

http://landtrustnal.org/2011/12/17/?ec3_listing=events

Ocean Camp Registration

http://www.facebook.com/oceancamp

BEN - December 5, 2011 #376

Special in this Edition: Hulsey Little River Land Trust Glass Christmas Ornament Fundraiser (deadline extended!), Freshwater Land Trust Nature Gift Ideas, City of Dothan Looking to Expand Recycling Program, Alabama Natural Resource Council Wins National Honors, Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

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Hulsey Little River Land Trust Glass Christmas Ornament Fundraiser (deadline extended!)

http://www.friendsofshane.blogspot.com/

Freshwater Land Trust Nature Gift Ideas

http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org/2011/11/holiday-gifts/

Sweetwater Pecan Company - Great Holiday Gifts Natural & Fresh from Terry and Susan Bishop

http://www.sweetwaterpc.com/SweetwaterPecn2011/Home.html

Johnny GreenSeeds Wines

http://www.jgswines.com

Weeks Bay 2011 Christmas Ornament (on sale)

http://www.weeksbay.org/ornament_2011.html

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Ben Windham: Nature, History Bond Beautifully at Mobile Point

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111204/NEWS/111209908/1216/opinion01?Title=SOUTHERN-LIGHTS-Nature-history-bond-beautifully-at-Mobile-Point

Whit Gibbons - Tuscaloosa News Ecoviews Columns

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/section/gibbonscolumns

Friends of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.friendsofwheelerrefuge.org

Friends of the Preserve at Little River Canyon

http://friendsofthepreserve.org/

News Across Alabama

Dothan Eagle: City of Dothan Looking to Expand Recycling Program

http://www2.dothaneagle.com/news/2011/nov/20/3/city-dothan-looking-expand-recycling-program-ar-2731689/

New York Times: Stranded Alabama Dolphin's Survival Provides Opportunity

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/among-hundreds-of-dead-an-intriguing-survivor/#more-123225

Mobile Register: Alabama's Fisheries Richest in the Gulf

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/12/alabamas_rich_fish_harvest_unq.html

City of Robertsdale Securing Energy Efficient LED Lighting

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/12/robertsdale_gets_100000_grant.html

Alabama Natural Resource Council Wins National Honors

http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/news/nr/11-9-11exec_award_2_chiefs.html

Albertville & Marshall County Earn State PALS Honors

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/news/local/article_9f444b5a-1a06-11e1-8fb3-001cc4c002e0.html

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Help Wanted: Birmingham Audubon Seeks Director

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/execdir

Help Wanted: Mobile Bay NEP Project/Outreach Coordinator

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/news/career_oppourtunity

Help Wanted: Two Nature Conservancy of Alabama Diversity Internships

http://www.nature.org/aboutus/diversity/diversity-internships-at-the-nature-conservancy.xml

EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

http://eeinalabama.org/core/item/topic.aspx?s=0.0.0.37934&tid=85010

North Alabama Sierra Calendar - December

http://alabama.sierraclub.org/northalabama/northalnews2011-11.html

Alabama Clean Water Partnership 7th Annual Watershed Conference - December 7th in Clanton

http://cleanwaterpartnership.org/events/?eventID=148&date=12/07/2011

Friends of Red Mountain Benefit - December 9th

http://www.friendsofredmountainpark.org/wp/2011/11/friends-celebration-and-benefit-on-december-9/

2nd Annual Christmas at the Alabama Nature Center - Dec. 10th

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/events/?eventID=97&date=12/10/2011

Alabama Wildlife Center's Holiday Craft & Bake Sale - December 10th

http://eeinalabama.org/net/calendar/details.aspx?c=3534765&s=98824.0.0.37934

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

http://www.dogriver.org

23rd Annual Nonpoint Source Conference - January 24th, 2012

http://www.adem.state.al.us/misc/2012NPSConference.cnt

Alabama Hiking Trail Society 2012 Annual Conference - March 9-12, 2012, 4-H Conference Center, Columbiana

http://www.hikealabama.org/content/2012-conference-registration-now-open

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Confference - March 16-18 @ Camp Beckwith

http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/watershed-leadership-conference

2012 Audubon Mountain Workshop and Young Naturalist's Program - May 10-13

http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/birdingfldtrips/audmtnwrk

Conservation Alabama Calendar

http://www.conservationalabama.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC=%7B122D6A25-83DF-43F7-A51D-9E776618F3FB%7D

Fresh Air Family Calendar

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

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

http://www.hikealabama.org/calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

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

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/events/

Renew Our Rivers 2011 Calendar

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

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

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

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-off Calendar

http://www.alabamawildlife.org/hunting/?pageID=58

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama Autumn Ramble Schedule

http://landtrustnal.org/autumn-ramble-guided-hikes/

Ocean Camp Registration

http://www.facebook.com/oceancamp