BEN - Bama Environmental News

Shoals Fresh Air Family Feb-Apr. Schedule

2012-02-13T07:18:00.000-06:00

2012 Shoals Area Nature Outings, January-April

Sponsored by Fresh Air Family, Shoals Wildflower Society & Shoals Environmental Alliance. All events are free. Registration required unless otherwise noted. Contact Charles Rose at 256-366-1937 orchuckrivers@comcast.net for more info or to receive email updates about events. To learn about even more nature outings across the state of Alabama, visit: http://www.freshairfamily.org.
Saturday, January 28 --- Bull Skull Hollow Winter Hike & Americana Exhibits

Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 9:30am, Jack’s, Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals. Moderate, 4-mile hike. Dress warmly. Bring lunch-water-snacks. See March 17 event for description. Registration: 256-366-1937, charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, February 4 --- Freedom Hills Winter Hike & Visit to Coon Dog Cemetery
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Challenging, 3.5 mile, off-trail hike to “The Narrows” gorge on Buzzards Roost Creek in this Colbert Co. Forever Wild tract. Age limit: 12 years and over. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, February 11 --- Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve "Extreme" Hike
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 9am at the preserve in Colbert County. Challenging, 7-8 mile hike, with several elevation changes. Not recommended for young children. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org. Directions: From US-43 in Muscle Shoals, take US-72 W. At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (3.4 miles west of US-43), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd. Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles. After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go another ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41). Go just 1/10 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right. Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house. If you get confused, call owners Jim and Faye Lacefield at (256) 381-6301 or Charles Rose at c. (256) 366-1937.

Saturday, February 18 --- Hike to Indian Tomb Hollow and High House Hill, Bankhead National Forest
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Moderate, 3-mile hike. Brief forays into moderately-challenging terrain. Features rock shelter, sandstone bluffs, large “nature-sculpted” boulders & historic sites. Meet 8am, Jack’s, Woodward Av., Muscle Shoals, or 9am, Warrior Mountains Trading Company store, AL-33, Moulton. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org.

Sunday, February 19--- Winter Hike to Parker Branch Falls, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Group size limited; you must register. Challenging, 4 mile hike in a stunning sandstone canyon. Age limit: 12 years and over. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, February 25 --- Shoal Creek Preserve Winter Hike
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 10am at the preserve. Moderate, 4.5 mile hike. The preserve, a Forever Wild tract, features hiking trails, horse trails, pristine, cascading creeks & a great variety of flora. Bring lunch, water & snacks. Wear sturdy footwear. Dress warmly. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org. Directions: From Cox Creek Parkway in Florence, go north on Old Jackson Hwy (CR 47) to St. Florian, about 2.5 miles. (This is the continuation of Hermitage Dr.) Turn left on Butler Creek Road (CR 61). Go 3 miles, then turn right at the Shoal Creek Preserve sign to the parking lot.

Sunday, February 26 --- Mountain Mist Trail Hike, Monte Sano State Park
Led by Charles Rose & Katie Burrus for Fresh Air Family. Meet 2pm in front of the concrete barriers at the closed access road off Bankhead Parkway. As we walk along this Forever Wild tract, we’ll look for early spring wildflowers. Includes the Stone Cuts Trail, with its amazing rock formations. Registration & info: contact Katie Burrus at 256-701-1046 or katie@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 3 --- Walls of Jericho Hike
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 10am at the Walls of Jericho’s Alabama hikers parking lot. Call for carpooling from the Shoals area. Rigorous 6-mile hike, 1,000 ft. in elevation uphill return. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear. Hiking sticks & a change in socks are advised. Bring water, snacks & lunch. This hike to “The Grand Canyon of the South” features, 200-ft. canyon walls, waterfalls & many early spring wildflowers. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 10 --- Borden Creek to Fall Creek Falls Hike, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. We’ll be on the lookout for early spring wildflowers on this moderately-rigorous, 4-mile hike. Group size limited, so you must register. Meet us 8am, Jack’s, Woodward Av., Muscle Shoals or 9am, Warrior Mountains Trading Company store, AL-33, Moulton. Age limit: 10 years & over. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org.

Sunday, March 11 --- Rockpile Trail Hike, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 1pm, Wilson Dam Visitor Center parking lot, south side of Wilson Dam. Moderately-rigorous, with uphills & downhills. Bring snacks & water. Wear sturdy footwear. Multi-choices in distance hiked, from 2 miles up to 6 miles. The emphasis will be on early spring wildflowers & local history as we walk from Wilson Dam downstream to Southport, once the site of a thriving steamboat port. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 17 --- Wildflower Hike & Americana Exhibits at Bull Skull Hollow
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 10am, Jack’s, Woodward Av., Muscle Shoals. Bring lunch, water & snacks. Tour of “The Village,” 6-7 log & wooden buildings, incl. a general store, carriage house, schoolhouse-church, smoke house & more, all full of old implements, tools & household items from yesteryear. Amazing display! Hike along Spring Creek. See Trout Lily, incl. White Trout Lily, Toothwort, Hepatica, Trillium, Saxifrage, Bloodroot. Registration: 256-366-1937, charles@freshairfamily.org.

Sunday, March 18 --- Wildflower Hike, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 1:30pm at the preserve. Bring water & snacks. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Moderately rigorous: at least a 2-mile hike, with up-hills & down-hills. See waterfalls, including the 60-ft. “Big Waterfall”, scenic vistas, huge wildflower-strewn boulders and cascading creeks. Blooming flowers will include Trout Lily, Hepatica, Bloodroot, Toothwort & more. Directions: See February 11 event. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 24 --- 2nd Annual Magical Mystery Tour
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. This outing will take place somewhere in Colbert County. Group size limited; you must register. On this Magical Mystery Tour our exact destinations are a secret, but be assured that you will see plenty of spring wildflowers and other natural features of interest. Participants will learn when & where to meet after registering. No children under 12. Fairly rigorous. At times the going might be a little rough. Includes off-trail hiking, one very steep grade, downed trees & stream crossings. Bring lunch, water and snacks. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear. Long pants, walking stick, a change of socks & insect repellent are advised. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 24 --- Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Sponsored by Shoals Wildflower Society. Easy walk, led by Margie Anderton. Meet 10am, Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. No registration required. Includes the Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden & the TVA Small Wild Area. See Spring Cress, Dutchman’s Breeches, Celandine Poppy, Rue Anemone & Virginia Bluebell. Info: 256-757-7064 or 256-366-1937.

Sunday, March 25 --- Wildflower Walk, Joe Wheeler State Park
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Moderate, 2.2-mile walk on the Joe Wheeler State Park multi-use trail on the south side of Wheeler Dam. Meet 1:30 pm at the trailhead, on the west side of AL-101 in Lawrence County, AL, 1 mile south of Wheeler Dam. Bring water & snacks. Wear comfortable shoes. This trail traverses a variety of habitat types, including a lovely mature hardwood forest. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org.

Tuesday, March 27 --- Freedom Hills Wildflower Hike & Visit to Coon Dog Cemetery
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Challenging, 5-6 mile, off-trail hike to “The Narrows” gorge in this Forever Wild tract in Colbert County. Steep descent & ascent. Age limit: 12 years & over. Registration: 256-366-1937 orcharles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, March 31 --- Wildflower Hike, Flint Creek Botanical Area, Bankhead National Forest
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 8am, Jack’s, Woodward Av., Muscle Shoals, or 9am, Warrior Mountains Trading Company store, AL-33, Moulton. Moderate hike, distance covered flexible. After lunch, an optional visit to Indian Tomb Hollow. Wear comfortable footwear. Bring lunch, water & snacks. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Sunday, April 1 --- Wildflower Hike at Monte Sano State Park
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. $3 ($1-seniors) State Park fee. Moderate, 3-4 mile hike includes the Sinks Trail & the Stone Cuts Trails. Meet 1pm at the hiker's parking lot, on the right, just past the lodge at Monte Sano State Park. Call for carpooling over from the Shoals area. See Virginia Bluebell, Goldenseal, Wild Columbine, Dwarf Larkspur, Twinleaf, Bellwort, Blue Cohosh, Cumberland Spurge & Phlox. Bring water & snacks. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, April 7 --- Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Led by Margie Anderton & Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 1pm, Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. Easy walk at Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden & TVA Small Wild Area. No registration required. 256-757-7064.

Wednesday, April 11 --- Wildflower Walk, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation
Sponsored by Shoals Wildflower Society & Shoals Environmental Alliance. Easy walk, led by Margie Anderton & Charles Rose. Meet 10am, Nature Trails parking lot, TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. Includes Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden & TVA Small Wild Area. See Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Geranium, Wild Stonecrop, Trillium, Virginia Bluebell, Purple Phacelia, Wild Blue Phlox, Foamflower, Bladdernut, Buckeyes, and much more. No registration required. More info: 256-757-7064 or 256-366-1937.

Saturday, April 14 --- Edible & Medicinal Plant Hike at The Pocket
This walk in northwestern Georgia, is led by master herbalist Darryl Patton, ND, author of Mountain Medicine, the Herbal Remedies of Tommie Bass. Sponsored by Fresh Air Family. Meet time & place to be arranged. Contact Charles Rose (256-366-1937) to arrange carpooling from the Shoals area. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Sunday, April 15 --- Wildflower Hike, Shoal Creek Preserve
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 1pm at the preserve. Moderate, 4.5 mile hike, with up-hills and down-hills. Bring water & snacks. This preserve, in Lauderdale County, features 4.5 miles of hiking trails, horse trails, pristine, cascading creeks and a great variety of flora. It was purchased by the State of Alabama under the Forever Wild program. See White Trout Lily, Yellow Mandarin, Green violet & more. Directions: See Feb. 25 event. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, April 21 --- Shoals Earth Day Fest

Colbert County Courthouse lawn, Tuscumbia, AL. Earth friendly displays, food vendors, children's activities & live music. On the web athttp://www.shoalsearthmonth.com/

Sunday, April 22 --- Wildflower Hike, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Led by Charles Rose for Fresh Air Family. Meet 1:00pm at the preserve in Colbert County. Bring water & snacks. Moderately rigorous: at least a 2-mile hike, with up-hills & down-hills. We will be flexible as far as the distance covered; some may choose to go further. See waterfalls, including the 60-ft. “Big Waterfall”, scenic vistas, huge flower-strewn boulders and cascading creeks. See the rare French’s Shooting Star, in Alabama found only in the Cane Creek watershed. Also blooming will be Yellow Lady’s Slipper, Native Azaleas, much more. Directions: See Feb. 11 event. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

Saturday, April 28 --- In Search of Salamanders, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Meet 10am at the preserve. Led by Dr. Glenn Marvin, UNA, for Fresh Air Family. We will explore the streams & woodlands of Cane Creek Canyon in search of salamanders & other interesting organisms. Dr. Marvin will also bring a selection of salamanders from his personnel collection for viewing. Late spring wildflowers will also be of interest. Great event for the entire family. Bring lunch, water & snacks. Directions: See Feb. 11 event. Registration: 256-366-1937 or charles@freshairfamily.org.

BEN - February 13, 2012 #385

2012-02-13T03:51:00.003-06:00

News Across Alabama

League of Conservation Voters Release their 20111 Congressional Scorecard

Alabama Environmental Council: Recycling Legislation (HB274) will hurt recycling efforts statewide

Ledger-Enquirer: ADEM to clean up Mill Creek Watershed near Smiths Station & Phenix City

Alabama Rivers Press Release: Will this be the year for water policy?

Mobile Register: Environmental group Skytruth issues Gulf oil spill report

Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Times Daily: Dennis Sherer Column about the state checkoff program for wildlife

Dothan Eagle: Letter by Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper's Mike Mullen

Tuscaloosa News:Whit Gibbons "Ecoviews" - MLK offers chance for environmental lesson

Tuscaloosa News; Whit Gibbons "Ecoviews" Animal guide offers insight into the lives of deer

Dana Beyerle: Alabama Exposure - Endangered cranes off track after grounding

Mike Bolton-Birmingham News: Column on potential rules to protect turtles

The Cahaba Blue Trail

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Events, Grants & Job Openings (February 6th update)

BEN - Job Openings, Grants, Events and Calendars (February 12th Update)

2012-02-13T03:49:00.000-06:00

In this edition - What's New: Six (6) New Job openings, UAB Sustainability Conference (Feb. 16th), Alabama Nature Center's 5K Critter Crawl, Alabama WaterWatch Calendar, Mobile Baykeeper 101

Job Openings

New! Bankhead National Forest Seeking Silviculturist (Deadline : Feb.17)
New! Nature Conservancy Forest Ecologist in Columbus Georgia (Deadline: Feb. 17)
New! The Longleaf Alliance Seeking President
New! Weeks Bay Seeking Gulf Communities Coordinator
New! Alabama Wildlife Center Internships
New! Tennessee Director of Philanthropy with Trust for Public Land (Chattanooga Office)
Alabama Rivers Alliance Seeking Alliance Coordinator (Deadline: Feb. 15)
National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)
Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant

Longleaf Alliance Seeking Vice-President for Operations

Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Faculty Data Specialist Positions

Dogwood Alliance Seeking Development Director

EJobs. com - Alabama

Camp ASCCA Summer Employment (Interviews starting immediately)

Alabama State Parks - (application process)

University of Alabama Seeking Environmental Institute Director

University of Alabama Seeking American Environmental History Professor

National Audubon Together Green Fellowship (March 5th deadline)

Outdoor Industry Job Seekers

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website

Legacy Partners in Environmental Education Grant Program

Longleaf Pine Restoration Grants

Alabama Outdoor Classroom Grants (Website)

Events

Mobile Baykeeper - Feb.8 to August 21 (2-3 Baykeeper 101 Events a month)

Shoals Fresh Air Family Nature Hikes/Event - Feb-Apr.

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-Off Schedule - February to August

Ruffner Mountain's February-August Events

AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Schedule - Feb. 7th to 28th

UAB Sustainability Conference "From Concept to Reality" - Feb. 16th

Alabama Nature Center"s Critter Crawl 5K Trail Run - February 18th

Birmingham Audubon Society - Great Backyard Bird Count & Tom Imhof Walk - Feb. 18th at Birmingham Zoo

17th Annual Urban Forestry & Horticulture Conference - Florence - February 21st

Legacy Grant Writer Conference - Guntersville - February 23rd (no refund deadline January 20)

Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference Guntersville - February 24

Alabama Better Living Expo in Montgomery Feb. 27 -Feb. 29

Wendell Berry Lecture @ Samford University - February 27th

2012 Energy Efficiency Expo in Huntsville February 29

EEAA 2012 Conference @Camp McDowell "Reading ROCKS" - March 1-3 (Preregister by Feb. 20)

2012 Spencer Lecture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (March 8)

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

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

Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference - March 12-14 in St. Symons Island, Ga

Alabama Mountain Games - Cleveland Alabama - March 15-18

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

Green Resource Center for Alabama Clover Crawl in Birmingham - March 31st

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale - April 12-15

Ruffner Mountain Native Plant Sale - April 14th

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - April 17th

Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade in Birmingham - April 19th

5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest -Tuscumbia - Colbert County Courthouse April 21st

Party for the Planet - Birmingham Zoo April 21st

McWane Center Earth Day Celebration - April 21-22

Nature Conservancy's Earth Day Picnic for the Planet in Birmingham - April 22nd

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

Cocktails with the Critters Supporting Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation - May 3rd

Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (May 5)

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

Fresh Air Family "Gross Out" Camps - July 11-15 & 18-22 (Mobile area)

EPA's Pollution Prevention Week - September 16-22

Organizational Calendar of Events

New! Alabama Water Watch Calendar
New! Anniston Museum of Natural History Calendar
Alabama State Parks - Calendar

Conservation Alabama Calendar

JSU Field Schools Calendar

Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

Steve Trash Events

Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet Calendar

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Calendar

Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar

Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar

Sierra Club Outings and Event Calendar

Burritt Museum in Huntsville

The Longleaf Alliance Seeking President

2012-02-11T21:01:00.000-06:00

President

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc. (LLA, Inc) is seeking a President to lead the organization as it moves forward. The mission of the LLA, Inc is the restoration, management and conservation of longleaf pine ecosystems and their social, economic, and ecological values as a significant component of the southeastern forest landscape. This established mission has been and will continue to be accomplished by working closely with a wide range of constituents – forest landowners, biologists, foresters, NGO’s, and public natural resource agencies. We seek an executive to lead the LLA, Inc through a major program-building phase as the organization increases its capacity to interact with a variety of existing partnerships and to form new partnerships.

The LLA, Inc seeks an experienced, dynamic and collaborative leader who has a minimum of 5 to 8 yearsexperience, preferably within the longleaf region, in managing natural resource conservation focused organization(s) and, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree. The President must have an excellent personal and professional reputation and credibility in the conservation community, and have demonstrated the ability to create effective relationships with board and staff, landowners, donors, state and federal agencies, NGO’s and other key constituencies. The position requires strong organizational, supervisory, and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills. The ideal candidate would have experience in:fundraising, nonprofit management, and in natural resource conservation and/or land management in the southeastern United States.

The President will be responsible for: 1) coordinating and leading fundraising efforts required to support annual operations through major gifts, grants, general support, and events; 2) acting as liaison to the Board of Directors; 3) providing support to the Vice-President of Operations in managing staff, interns, and volunteers; 4) working with the Vice-President for Business in managing budgets and finances; 5) working with researchers and outreach staff to identify and set priorities related to longleaf and associated wildlife and ecosystem values and management; 6) seeking funding to support such research and outreach; 7) expanding public information efforts; and 8) interacting with new and existing partners in the longleaf conservation effort. The position will likely require extensive travel, most but not all within the longleaf region. The President will report to the Board of Directors of the Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

Position will be located in the Southeast at a location agreed upon by the candidate and the Board of Directors. Position will require significant travel.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and includes an appropriate benefits package. Send resume, cover letter, and three references to:

Rhett Johnson, President

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

Post Office Box 1796

Andalusia, AL 36420

Ruffner Mountain Native Plant Sale - April 14th

2012-02-11T20:46:00.001-06:00

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and Birmingham Audubon Society are getting together to Grow Native and Celebrate Urban Birds for the Ruffner Mountain Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 14th from 9AM to 3PM.

Birds are a familiar and welcome sight to city dwellers and are like old friends. As spring blossoms and tender leaves emerge, our feathered friends accompany the seasonal transition with song and dance. Gardeners are soon to join in with a percussive clamor of gardening tools as they prep the soil for new plantings.

Come to Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve to buy beautiful native plants and to learn of their importance to birds, insects, and other wildlife. Join us for a fun filled day of art, science, bird watching, games, gardening, and celebration of urban birds. Learn how to become a citizen scientist and a backyard conservationist by creating a wildlife habitat, observing birds in your neighborhood, and sending the data to scientists at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Creating a wildlife habitat or haven for birds is simple and requires you to provide 4 things -- food, water, cover, and a place to rear their young. By planting native plants in your yard, you will accomplish 3 of the 4. Birmingham Audubon Society and local native plant experts will teach you how to provide all of the above with educational and fun activities during the second annual Ruffner Mountain Native Plant Sale. This event is free, open to the public, and will be fun for families and people of all ages. Plant material provided by Stoneshovel. Proceeds from plant sales will benefit Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, environmental education, and the propagation of native plants for future restoration projects.

Learn how our lifestyles and everyday choices seriously impact whatever habitat birds find in the city. Whether you live close to a park, have a yard, or only a balcony, by observing how birds survive in such close proximity to humans, you'll be helping researchers learn more about how well America's urban birds are doing on a local level.

Urban birds rely on the seeds, berries, and insects native plants provide, so it only makes sense that if we plant native plants in our urban landscapes, we will have plenty of resident birds and probably a few migratory birds as well! Create a habitat garden. Even in the midst of the concrete and congestion of the city, your urban oasis will connect you to nature and reward you with a glimpse into the natural world and into the lives of birds. Their presence in our lives is truly something to celebrate!

Activities to include:

* Bird Hikes: throughout the day

* Bird Count: throughout the day

* GIFTED Children's Art Exhibit: judging to take place at the festival

* Water Feature Project Station: hand decorated project for kids

* Binocular Station: how to use them and purchasing advice

* Native Plant Seminar: plant experts will present a session on which plants attract native birds to your backyard

* Computer Station: demonstration on how to submit their data from their own backyards into the Celebrate Urban Birds web site

* Microscope Station: feathers and eggs

* Activity Table: bird color pages and crafts

* Artist Display: local artist's bird themed art

Weeks Bay Foundation Seeking Gulf Resilient Communities Coordinator

2012-02-09T20:07:00.001-06:00

Position Description:

The Gulf Resilient Communities Regional Training Coordinator is a one year, full-time, grant-funded contract position that will be housed at the Weeks Bay Foundation office in Fairhope, Alabama. The training coordinator will work with the Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserves’ (NERRs) Coastal Training Programs (CTP) in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas to link the coastal community resilience goals of the NERRs and NOAA’s Coastal Storms Program with the training and information needs of local communities. Additionally, the coordinator will work with NERR CTPs to engage five communities along the Gulf Coast on the topic of coastal storm preparedness and resilience through the use of the Coastal Resilience Index (CRI) and the organization and facilitation of resilience related trainings based on community needs. This project will engage local communities, raise awareness about the NOAA Coastal Storms Program, and result in activities that improve the resilience of the communities adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. This position will be grant funded for one year. At a minimum, the Gulf Regional Training Coordinator will be expected to:

A) Identify at least five (5) target Gulf Coast communities who would benefit from completing the CRI self-assessment tool and work with them to complete the assessment;

B) Promote the use of and train Gulf Coast communities to utilize the StormSmart Coasts national network.

C) Participate in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Coastal Community Resilience Priority Issue Team.

D) Present and/or publish outcomes of work at relevant meetings and conferences to disseminate best practices

E) Identify opportunities to provide professional decision-maker training on coastal resilience topics to Gulf Coast communities who have completed the CRI;

F) Conduct a minimum of four (quarterly) conference calls with the project Steering Committee to identify project related outcomes and activities from all five NERRS and discuss plans for upcoming events and activities;

G) Maintain a website for the project to advertise project status, meetings, trainings, post results of trainings, and outcomes;

H) Participate in and travel to meetings as required and perform other tasks as needed.

I) Work with Weeks Bay Foundation staff to manage project budget and prepare regular progress reports.

In the short term, the Regional Resilience Coordinator will assist communities to identify their individual needs for increased resilience to storms, disasters and a changing climate through the use of the CRI. The CRI self-assessment is completed in a facilitated environment by community leaders in multiple disciplines, including: elected officials, floodplain managers, emergency managers, local planners, fire departments, chambers of comers, local utilities, community groups and others. This inclusive collaborative approach ensures the capacity for addressing long-term resilience and adaptation is increased across jurisdictional levels. Results of the proposed activities will not only increase hazard awareness, but will be applied by each community to improve governmental and management decisions related to long-term resilience and adaptation planning.

This project will continue to build a methodology for conducting training consistently across the Gulf States that provides science-based information to coastal decision-makers. This model for sharing successful strategies from location to location will involve local communities in a meaningful way. The five NERRS on the Gulf Coast (Mission-Aransas in Texas, Grand Bay in Mississippi, Weeks Bay in Alabama, Apalachicola and Rookery Bay in Florida) will host most of the workshops at their facilities and other locations in coastal counties within their regions of service. The workshops will require coordination with and/or training by NOAA partners such as the Coastal Storms Program, Sea Grant Programs, Coastal Services Center, Gulf Coast Service Center and other NOAA programs that are involved with Alliance support. Other partners such as the National Estuary Programs in Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida may also collaborate on workshops to expand the geographic scope of the audiences and communities reached.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental studies, environmental psychology or environmental education, land use or conservation planning, marine or coastal science or policy, communication, a related field or commensurate experience;

Excellent communication and organizational skills including the ability to translate science for professionals and non-scientists including coastal decision-makers;

Proficiency in computer programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel; and a willingness to participate in the development and management of internet resources such as a homepage for the program;

Experience and skills with working with diverse audiences including facilitation and outreach experience;

Ability to organize meetings, events, workshops and/or conferences, including program evaluation and project management experience;

General knowledge of coastal issues, science and/or policy;

Ability to work with limited direct supervision while accommodating the preferences and direction from off-site coordinators with whom he/she will be working regularly;

Valid driver’s license, with three year clean driving record; and

Ability to travel within and out of state.

Preferred Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental studies, environmental psychology or environmental education, land use or conservation planning, marine or coastal science or policy, communication, a related field;

Experience and skills related to web development and management including but not limited to graphical design, coding, multimedia resources, and search engine optimization (SOE) protocol;

Advanced knowledge of coastal resilience issues, science, and/or policy; and

Previous experience working with agencies and organizations in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.

Preference will be given to candidates who are located near (or are willing to re-locate to) the Fairhope area.

Physical Requirements:

Moderate Work: May frequently exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 25 pounds and/or occasionally exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 50 pounds. These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations may be possible.

Salary Range: $40,000-50,000 commensurate with experience

The Gulf Alliance Regional CTP Coordinator will work at Weeks Bay Foundation under supervision by the Weeks Bay and Grand Bay CTP coordinators. The job will require frequent in and out of state travel. The position is a contract position beginning immediately with funding for at least one year with the possibility of

three years and will be subject to all standard requirements for employment. In addition to salary based upon experience, a stipend is provided for benefits and other fringe.

How to Apply:

Send resume including employment history with a description of prior paid and non-paid job-related work experience; education including high school, date of diploma or GED; college/university - major(s), type and year of degrees received; any other degrees or certificates; and a minimum of three references, at least one of which is from your professional experience.

Candidates are encouraged to provide supplemental information in their experience statements and cover letter which will be taken into consideration in the selection process.

Applicants will receive notification that their application has been received.

Submit resume, three references and a cover letter of interest to:

Walter C. Ernest, IV

Executive Director

Weeks Bay Foundation

11401 US Hwy 98

Fairhope, AL 36532

Or email to walter@weeksbay.org

Applications must be postmarked or emailed by March 15, 2012.

TheWeeks Bay Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and will fill positionswithout regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, maritalstatus, or handicap.

Eating Alabama - A Must See Film

2012-02-06T07:39:00.001-06:00

A must see!!! Check out the movie trailer Eating Alabama here

BEN - February 5, 2012 #384

2012-02-06T06:18:00.000-06:00

(Stories under Blue Hyperlinks) "Follow us on Twitter - @BamaEnviroNews".

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News Across Alabama

Conservation Alabama Previews the Upcoming Legislative Session

Whooping Cranes to be released at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign to Launch Tree Distribution - Feb. 6th in Tuscaloosa

Spanish Fort Creek to be restored - Joe's Branch Watershed

Cahaba River Society honors eco-friendly projects and advocates

Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

WIAT 42: EPA comes to Birmingham (video)

Anniston Star Editorial: New Alabama Coastal Rules Needed

Check out the Alabama 5 Rivers February Newsletter

Alabama River Alliance's 2011 Annual Report

Outdoor Alabama Chat - February 17 Noon

Call for Roosevelt-Ashe Conservation Award Nominations

Waters to the Sea - Discovering Alabama/Alabama Clean Water Partnership

A Warming World? - See for Yourself (NASA's 131 Years of Global Warming in 26 seconds)
Dr. Michael Fleenor's Address to the Cahaba River Society
Solar Power in Alabama - An Alabama Solar Association website (graph)

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Events, Grants & Job Openings (February 6th update)

BEN - Job Openings, Grants, Events & Calendars (Feb. 5th Update)

2012-02-06T06:07:00.000-06:00

In this edition: 15 job entries/websites , 4 grant websites, 33 events statewide, 22 organizational calendars: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Grants, Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-offs, Wild About Chocolate (Feb. 11th), Ruffner Mountain "Tapas on the Trail" (Feb.11th), Lake Guntersville Eagle Weekend

Job Openings

EJobs. com - Alabama

Camp ASCCA Summer Employment (Interviews starting immediately)

Alabama State Parks - (application process)

Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant

Alabama Rivers Alliance Seeking Alliance Coordinator

Longleaf Alliance Seeking Vice-President for Operations

Birmingham Zoo Seeking Marketing Coordinator

Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Faculty & Data Specialist Positions

Dogwood Alliance Seeking Development Director

National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)

NWF Southeast Campus Field Coordinator

University of Alabama Seeking Environmental Institute Director

University of Alabama Seeking American Environmental History Professor

National Audubon Together Green Fellowship (March 5th deadline)

Outdoor Industry Job Seekers

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website

Legacy Partners in Environmental Education Grant Program

Longleaf Pine Restoration Grants

Alabama Outdoor Classroom Grants (Website)

Events

Mobile Baykeeper - Feb.8 to August 21 (2-3 Baykeeper 101 Events a month)

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-Off Schedule - February to August

Ruffner Mountain's February-August Events

Lake Guntersville State Park Eagle Weekends- January to February 12th

AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Schedule - Feb. 7th to 28th

Alabama Coastal Foundation Bay Buddy Training - February 9th

Alabama Wildlife Center's "Wild About Chocolate" Feb. 11, 2012

Ruffner Mountain's "Tapas on the Trails" - Feb. 11th

UAB Sustainability Conference "From Concept to Reality" - Feb. 16th

Alabama Nature Center"s Critter Crawl 5K Trail Run - February 18th

Birmingham Audubon Society - Great Backyard Bird Count & Tom Imhof Walk - Feb. 18th at Birmingham Zoo

17th Annual Urban Forestry & Horticulture Conference - Florence - February 21st

Legacy Grant Writer Conference - Guntersville - February 23rd (no refund deadline January 20)

Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference Guntersville - February 24

Alabama Better Living Expo in Montgomery Feb. 27 -Feb. 29

Wendell Berry Lecture @ Samford University - February 27th

2012 Energy Efficiency Expo in Huntsville February 29

EEAA 2012 Conference @Camp McDowell "Reading ROCKS" - March 1-3 (Preregister by Feb. 20)

2012 Spencer Lecture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (March 8)

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

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

Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference - March 12-14 in St. Symons Island, Ga

Alabama Mountain Games - Cleveland Alabama - March 15-18

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

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - April 17th

Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade in Birmingham - April 19th

5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest -Tuscumbia - Colbert County Courthouse April 21st

Party for the Planet - Birmingham Zoo April 21st

McWane Center Earth Day Celebration - April 21-22

Nature Conservancy's Earth Day Picnic for the Planet in Birmingham - April 22nd

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

Cocktails with the Critters Supporting Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation - May 3rd

Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (May 5)

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

Fresh Air Family "Gross Out" Camps - July 11-15 & 18-22 (Mobile area)

EPA's Pollution Prevention Week - September 16-22

Organizational Calendar of Events

Alabama State Parks - Calendar

Conservation Alabama Calendar

JSU Field Schools Calendar

Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

Steve Trash Events

Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet Calendar

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Calendar

Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar

Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar

Sierra Club Outings and Event Calendar

Burritt Museum in Huntsville

Dr. Michael Fleenor's Address to the Cahaba River Society

2012-02-05T09:09:00.000-06:00

A River Runs ThroughIt
Address to the Annual Meeting
Cahaba River Society
Birmingham, AL
February 2, 2012
Michael E. Fleenor, MD, MPH

Introduction
Oneof my earliest memories of the Cahaba River Society was when Betsy, my wife,was working with Beth, Randy and Trisha on one of the first Cahaba River Festsat the Zamora Temple.   When the auction was over, I walked out witha piece of artwork.
Itis a quite striking blend of various colors of glass including, white, clear,green, brown and light violet. Diagonally transsecting that mélange ofprimarily earth tones is a stripe of blue.   A closer look will showthat this mosaic is mottled, broken glass which was gathered up from shatteredplaces sometime before and carefully put back together. As with allstained glass, when the light shining through it is just right, it actuallyglows. Perhaps this piece of art is on my mind more because it hangs fromthe window over the kitchen sink through which I gaze while washing dishes,something I somehow am doing more now that I’m retired!

TheRiver: Flow as Community
Iwas attracted to this piece of art because one of my favorite short books isA River Runs through It by Norman Maclean. Most of us here, no doubt,have read this work years ago, and maybe some like me come back to it again andagain. It is a biographical account of the intertwining relationshipsbetween 2 brothers, their Presbyterian minister father and the women in theirlives. The setting is in Montana, centered along the Big Blackfoot Rivernear Bozeman.   At the heart of it, it is a parable about coming ofage: coming to terms with youthful interests and pre-occupations whichgradually or abruptly emerge into adult maturity.

Successfullyemerging from adolescence is as much about how we make those bigdecisions as it is about the decisions themselves. Although I don’t haveanyone specifically in mind in this audience, it is unfortunate some of usnever move out of adolescence despite chronologically being adults and if I’mabsolutely truthful myself, there are behaviors that still are stuck in thatstage of my life, which to me is a personal case in point, that the patternsthat shape our lives are largely formed by the time we reach lateadolescence. So, short of some life-changing, enlarging experience, howwe deal with adolescence sets the variations of the theme for the legato orstaccato notes of the music our lives will be blended into the harmonies orcacophonies of sounds around us.

Icannot help but think too that this story could also be a parable about ourstruggle toward maturity as a local community. . . And like all who go throughadolescence, it begs for similar community reflection. . . about values and principles that last for not only our more temporallifetimes but for generations to come. The mark of transition intoadulthood from adolescence for individuals and communities, I believe, ismoving away from a sense of urgency, anxiety and even fear that leads tofolly; the need for self-satisfaction which, not infrequently, is at theexpense of another; the need to quell the overwhelming compulsion to make goodimpressions rather than dealing with deeper matters about whom we reallyare; the struggle to put the pieces of our life and the pieces of theworld into a cohesive mosaic that gives some sense of order out of sometimesoverwhelming brokenness and chaos.

Pausingto deal with some of these more lasting issues is the importance of annualevents like the one tonight. They are opportunities to celebrate not onlythe successes but the challenges of the previous year and years, since just asa river in both infinitely changeable it is also changeless, changeless inthose matters that are most important.
Itis a time for recounting our journey around uncharted oxbows that cause us toquestion if any progress has been made at all toward the attatainment of ourmission in life . . . or maybe even the mission itself is questioned, yetsurprises us when we round the bend and see clearly ahead again.
Itdraws us through languid pools that pull us into the river itself so that bothriver and we are indistinguishable.

Sometimesmore than we’d like, sucks us through strainers that are so harrowing as tothreaten life and limb.

Andit pushes us past islands in its path that if they are revisited over and overagain, may be submerged or prominent depending on the ebb and flow of the riverthat holds them.
Riverscarry us all along their course. But rivers also create boundariesbetween islands and shoreline that need to be bridged. As such, the storythat rivers whisper are narratives about what makes us community.

Howcan we bridge these “islands in the stream” (as Hemingway might call them)?

(1) Recognize the boundaries that divide us and why they emerged. Sometimesthese boundaries are scoured by run-off and other times they are dry as sandand gravel and no longer relevant. In any event, this requires looking atthe present through the lens of history and contrasting that with theaspirations and/ambition of our vision of the future.

(2) Turn over rocks in the river to expose and discuss “first principles”. What I mean by this is to recognize and explicitly state what is most importantto each “side of the river”. Often there are hidden agendas that aredriven by respective postures of each “side of the river”. Thesedifferences can be healthy if confronted in open dialogue but when that isneglected they are frequently destructive and some can be catastrophic. The Cahaba River is the river that runs through most of what we continue to seethat divides us in Jefferson County between economic and environmental sides ofthe river.

(3) Determine the source of the river. In other words, root causes. This is closely related to the “boundaries that divide us” issue but requires anew paradigm than what we’ve tended to use in the past.

Mostof the provincial non-holistic models of the past have generated more heat thanlight, I’m afraid, so I suggest a physico-sociological model for communityhealth. It is a rather simple model that could be applied to communitieslike our own that frequently become hamstrung on putting ideas to work becauseof the putative complexity of issues. This model has 4 simple componentsfor a health community:

a.   Socio-economics – good jobs and good incomes
b.   Education – schooling that provides a future
c.   Sound individual life choices – personal choices that keep our neighbors inmind.

Thesethree are the islands in the stream of the larger flow of
d.   Environmental health, which is both the physical (air we breathe and water wedrink) and socio-cultural environment (our cultural heritage and the way wethink as groups) which surround and often saturate the 3 other islands.

Andjust as Maclean relates to maturation of himself and his brother in his novel(and this process is not a painless one), our community challenge today, as ithas for the last 3 decades is to connect the islands of SES, education andsound healthy individual life choices and to build bridges across those riversthat divide us. In Mclean’s parable, the unifying activity, fly-flshing,required that all parties wade into the water together. Despite thedifferences on both sides of the shore, that is where true community is found.

Sinceits inception, CRS has been dedicated to stewardship of the environment, andmost specifically of the Cahaba River, which I believe is an emblematic visionof what is best for all of us. My hope for CRS is that it will continueto be both ever constant and ever changing just as is the river that is itsnamesake. And as the Cahaba River sustains life and health and promotes awide range of diversity in thought and opinion that is critical for a healthycommunity, my hope is the CRS will have the same end in view.

Conclusion
Whateverour direct relationship to rivers, they are a symbol of the flow ofrelationships in our community and how we deal with decisions involvingupstream determinants of what we decide to be what is best and right and thedownstream consequences of those values, for in the flow of those rivers intime, those decisions based on those values will take us all to the same place.

So,what IS important to leave behind?
Whilesitting with his father watching his younger brother fish on the bank of theBig Blackfoot River McLean listened. “As always, [it] was making soundsto itself and now it made sounds to us.” He admits even now, “I amhaunted by waters.”

Aslight filtered through the trees casts its lengthening shadows to nestle theriver in its arms, if we but listen to each other and to the river, the rivertoo will make sounds to us. It is whispering its answers.
Weall should be “haunted by waters”.

Solar Power in Alabama Can Work

2012-02-04T17:40:00.001-06:00

~From the Alabama Solar Association website
(click on picture to expand)

BEN - January 30, 2012 #383

2012-01-30T04:46:00.001-06:00

News Across Alabama

SELC Report: Alabama Coast makes top 10 endangered places list

Times-Journal: Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign Distribution

Mobile Register: Public Comments Support Coastal Restoration

Birmingham News: Settlement on table over fish kill

Mobile Register: Gulf Coast not prepared for storm, other environmental threats

Birmingham News; Birmingham brewers oppose strip mine

Mobile Register: Mobile curbside recycling program expanding

al.com: Greening America's Capitals Design Charrette in Montgomery

Outdoor Alabama: NWTF Presrves Restores160 acres at Wind Creek State Park

Mobile Register: Clarification on last week's fish lesion story

Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Fresh Air Family Calendar (recommended bookmark)

My Green Birmingham Website

Bama Backroads Website

Alabama Grassroots Clearinghouse

Times Daily Editorial: Not cozy with big oil

WKRG Mobile - Oil Spill Restoration Projects Focus on Environment

Events, Grants & Job Openings

Events, Grants & Job Openings (January 30 update)

BEN - Job Openings, Grants, Events & Calendars (Jan. 30 Update)

2012-01-30T04:43:00.000-06:00

Job Openings

EJobs. com - Alabama

Camp ASCCA Summer Employment (Interviews starting immediately)
Alabama State Parks - (application process)

Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant

Alabama Rivers Alliance Seeking Alliance Coordinator

Longleaf Alliance Seeking Vice-President for Operations

Birmingham Zoo Seeking Marketing Coordinator

Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Faculty & Data Specialist Positions

Dogwood Alliance Seeking Development Director

National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)

NWF Southeast Campus Field Coordinator
University of Alabama Seeking Environmental Institute Director
University of Alabama Seeking American Environmental History Professor

National Audubon Together Green Fellowship (March 5th deadline)
Outdoor Industry Job Seekers

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website

Legacy Partners in Environmental Education Grant Program
Longleaf Pine Restoration Grants
Alabama Outdoor Classroom Grants (Website)

Events

Mobile Baykeeper - Feb.8 to August 21 (2-3 Baykeeper 101 Events a month)

Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-Off Schedule - February to August

Ruffner Mountain's February-August Events

Lake Guntersville State Park Eagle Weekends- January to February 12th

Cahaba River Society's Annual Meeting - February 2

AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Schedule - Feb. 7th to 28th

Alabama Wildlife Center's "Wild About Chocolate" Feb. 11, 2012

Ruffner Mountain's "Tapas on the Trails" - Feb. 11th

UAB Sustainability Conference "From Concept to Reality" - Feb. 16th

Alabama Nature Center"s Critter Crawl 5K Trail Run - February 18th

Birmingham Audubon Society - Great Backyard Bird Count & Tom Imhof Walk - Feb. 18th at Birmingham Zoo

17th Annual Urban Forestry & Horticulture Conference - Florence - February 21st

Legacy Grant Writer Conference - Guntersville - February 23rd (no refund deadline January 20)

Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference Guntersville - February 24

Wendell Berry Lecture @ Samford University - February 27th

EEAA 2012 Conference @Camp McDowell "Reading ROCKS" - March 1-3 (Preregister by Feb. 20)

2012 Spencer Lecture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (March 8)

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

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

Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference - March 12-14 in St. Symons Island, Ga

Alabama Mountain Games - Cleveland Alabama - March 15-18

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

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - April 17th

5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest -Tuscumbia - Colbert County Courthouse April 21st

Party for the Planet - Birmingham Zoo April 21st

McWane Center Earth Day Celebration - April 21-22

Nature Conservancy's Earth Day Picnic for the Planet in Birmingham - April 22nd

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

Cocktails with the Critters Supporting Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation - May 3rd

Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (May 5)

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

Fresh Air Family "Gross Out" Camps - July 11-15 & 18-22 (Mobile area)

EPA's Pollution Prevention Week - September 16-22

Organizational Calendar of Events

Alabama State Parks - Calendar

Conservation Alabama Calendar

JSU Field Schools Calendar

Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

Steve Trash Events

Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet Calendar

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Calendar

Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar

Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar

Sierra Club Outings and Event Calendar

Burritt Museum in Huntsville

BEN Job Openings, Grants, Events and Calendars (January 22)

2012-01-22T15:29:00.003-06:00

Job Openings

EJobs. com - Alabama
Camp ASCCA Summer Employment (Interviews starting immediately)
Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant
Alabama Rivers Alliance Seeking Alliance Coordinator
Longleaf Alliance Seeking Vice-President for Operations
Birmingham Zoo Seeking Marketing Coordinator
Dogwood Alliance Seeking Development Director

National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)

NWF Southeast Campus Field Coordinator

National Audubon Together Green Fellowship (March 5th deadline)

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website
Legacy Partners in Environmental Education Grant Program

Events

Lake Guntersville State Park Eagle Weekends- January to February 12th

Cahaba River Society's Annual Meeting - February 2

AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Schedule - Feb. 7th to 28th

Alabama Wildlife Center's "Wild About Chocolate" Feb. 11, 2012

Birmingham Audubon Society - Great Backyard Bird Count & Tom Imhof Walk - Feb. 18th at Birmingham Zoo

Legacy Grant Writer Conference - Guntersville - February 23rd (no refund deadline January 20)

Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference Guntersville - February 24

EEAA 2012 Conference @Camp McDowell "Reading ROCKS" - March 1-3 (Preregister by Feb. 20)

2012 Spencer Lecture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (March 8)

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

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

Southeast Land Trust Alliance Conference - March 12-14 in St. Symons Island, Ga

Alabama Mountain Games - Cleveland Alabama - March 15-18

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

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - April 17th

5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest -Tuscumbia - Colbert County Courthouse April 21st

Party for the Planet - Birmingham Zoo April 21st

Nature Conservancy's Earth Day Picnic for the Planet in Birmingham - April 22nd

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

Cocktails with the Critters Supporting Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation - May 3rd

Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (May 5)

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

Fresh Air Family "Gross Out" Camps - July 11-15 & 18-22 (Mobile area)

EPA's Pollution Prevention Week - September 16-22

Organizational Calendar of Events

Alabama State Parks - Calendar
Conservation Alabama Calendar

JSU Field Schools Calendar

Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

Steve Trash Events
Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet Calendar
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Calendar
Huntsville Botanical Gardens Calendar
Mobile Botanical Gardens Calendar
Sierra Club Outings and Event Calendar
Burritt Museum in Huntsville

BEN - January 23, 2012 #382

2012-01-22T15:28:00.000-06:00

In this Edition: Video of Jacksonville State University's Canyon Center, Mobile Register: Dauphin Island Fish Show Up with Lesions, Daily Home: State Environmental Toxicologist Gives State of the Lake Address, AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Workshop Schedule, Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant, Mobile Register: Seperate Restore Act from Politics

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Video of Jacksonville State University's Canyon Center

In the shadow of the Dugger Mountain Wildlerness Area - Dugger Mountain Music Hall

News Across Alabama

Mobile Register: Dauphin Island Fish Show Up with Lesions

Atlanta Constitution: Southern Company Greenhouse Study

Daily Home: State Environmental Toxicologist Gives State of the Lake Address

Montgomery Advertiser: Atty Gen. Strange Provides Update on Deepwater Horizon

Alabama/Auburn Researchers Create Concrete Recipe Using Coal Ash

Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

AWF: Alabama Outdoor Classroom Workshop Schedule

Tennessee Riverkeeper Seeking Administrative Assistant

Birmingham News: High Speed Transit op-ed by RPC's Charles Ball

Mobile Register: Seperate Restore Act from Politics

Wild South Roosevelt-Ashe Society Awards

A Lawyer's View Inside LEED - ABA Smart Growth and Green Buildings Article by Mobile Lawyer Neil Johnston (at end of Newsletter)

Dothan Eagle: Letter to the Editor by Michael Mullen Calling for Sustainable Water Policy

Events, Grants & Job Openings

January 23rd Jobs, Grants and Events Update

TNC to Celebrate Earth Day Picnic for the Planet @ Railroad Park

2012-01-22T14:30:00.001-06:00

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF ALABAMACELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH A “PICNIC FOR THE PLANET”

Birmingham, Ala. – On April 22, 2012,Earth Day, the Alabama Chapter of The Nature Conservancy will invite people fromacross the state to get outside and celebrate the planet with a free picnic at Railroad Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The AlabamaChapter will also join Conservancy chapters worldwide in an attemptto set the world record for the most people picnicking in a 24-hour period.

The community is encouraged tobring a picnic (and blanket) or purchase picnic food at Railroad Park and joinus for the world’s largest picnic celebration. There will be live musicspotlighting local talent, a display of sponsored picnic tables decorated bylocal artists and the opportunity to participate in a Guinness world record. Local community leaders Bill and BeckySmith will chair the event.

In 2011, the global office of The Nature Conservancy held an inaugural Picnic for the Planet which resulted inthousands of people joining more than 600 picnics in 61 countries on all sevencontinents. This year, those who are unable to attend the Picnic at RailroadPark can sign up to host their own picnic with family and friends like the onein Birmingham. Anyone who holds a Picnic for the Planet with at least 25 peoplecan download materials that will allow their picnic to be officially includedin the record-breaking attempt.

Picnic for the Planet for Earth Day 2012 is a celebration of the planetwe live on, the bounty it provides and the people who work to preserve it. As afundraiser for the local chapter of The Nature Conservancy, picnic tables willbe available for sponsorship. Local artists in the community will be engaged inadorning the tables for future display around the city. This event is free andopen to the public, rain or shine.

Contact the Nature Conservancy of Alabama at 205-251-1155 for additional info.

Longleaf Alliance Job Opening

2012-01-22T09:07:00.001-06:00

Position Announcement

Vice-President forOperations

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

TheLongleaf Alliance, Inc. (LLA, Inc) is seeking a Vice-President for Operationsto guide the day to day activities of the organization as it moves forward. The mission of the LLA, Inc is therestoration, management and conservation of longleaf pine ecosystems and theirsocial, economic, and ecological values as a significant component of thesoutheastern forest landscape. Thisestablished mission has been and will continue to be accomplished by workingclosely with a wide range of constituents – forest landowners, biologists,foresters, NGO’s, and public natural resource agencies. We seek a proven and competent supervisor tointeract with both the staff and the President to lead the LLA, Inc. through amajor program-building phase as the organization increases its capacity tointeract with a variety of existing partnerships and to form new partnerships.

The LLA,Inc seeks an experienced, dynamic and collaborative leader with a minimum of 5 to 8 years experience within the longleaf region inmanaging or studying natural resources with familiarity and knowledge specificto longleaf ecosystems. At a minimum,the position would require an undergraduate degree in forestry, wildlifebiology, or other related natural resources field and work experience in thosefields. The candidate must have anexcellent personal and professional reputation and credibility in theconservation community, and have demonstrated the ability to create effectiverelationships with board and staff, landowners, donors, state and federalagencies, NGO’s and other key constituencies. The position requires strong organizational, supervisory, andinterpersonal skills, as well as excellent written and oral communicationskills. Candidates should have adequateproficiency in computer skills, including spreadsheets, word processing, databasemanagement and GIS applications.

The Vice President for Operations willbe responsible for: 1) coordinating day to day activities of the staff; 2) assisting with provision of technicalassistance to landowners and land managers; 3) assisting with academies,workshops, and field days; 4) working with the President to secure funding forthe organization; 5) maintaining and/or developing working relationships withprofessional and stakeholder communities; 6) reviewing staff performance anddevelopment; 7) assisting with website development and maintenance, newsletterproduction, and technical publications; 8) and working closely with theVice-President for Business in budgeting, grant administration, and tracking ofaccounts. The position will likelyrequire some travel, most but not all within the longleaf region. Position will be located at the Solon DixonForestry Education Center near Andalusia in south central Alabama.

Salary willbe commensurate with experience and includes an appropriate benefitspackage. Send resume, cover letter, andthree references to:

Rhett Johnson, President

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

Post Office Box 1796

Andalusia, AL 36420

Green Building Focus Auburn Seminar - January 26 - Register Now!

2012-01-11T10:54:00.000-06:00

AUBURN, JANUARY 26th 2012. SPONSORED BY

Earn 5 AIA and GBCI credits for $99
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The Green Building Focus
Green Building Retrofit Seminar

Topics Include:
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Professionals - $99

Earn 5 AIA LU|SD|HSW Credits
5 GBCI Credits or
Email Sales at Sales@greenbuildingfocus.com
www.greenbuildingfocus.com
More Information

The Green Building Focus high performance building
renovation & retrofit seminar is designed to provide
property owners and facility managers as well as architects
and engineers tangible solutions and strategies for existing
buildings. The one day format provides 5 hours of continuing
education for attendees and includes an introduction
to LEED for existing buildings. It explains the benefits
of commissioning and retro-commissioning, discusses
performance monitoring/reporting and provides details
on funding sources and incentives for retrofits. The aim of
the seminar is to empower professionals by providing the
tools and information that they need to make better choices
when designing, constructing and managing buildings
and exposing them to the latest international trends and
techniques, most innovative technologies and materials
as well as proven best practices in maintaining highperformance
buildings.

Cohosted By

BEN - January 9, 2012 #381

2012-01-07T07:18:00.001-06:00

Special in this Edition: The 2011 Green Progress Report, Governor Bentley Announces Grants for Trails, Agencies Gather to Discuss Tornado Debris at Lake Martin, CBS 42 in Birmingham's Award winning "Poison in the Air", Conservation Alabama's Adam Snyder and Avondale Park Profiled in B-Metro, BEN 2012 Jobs, Events and Calendars - January 9th Update

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Green Progress Report 2011

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News Across Alabama

Sand Island Open to the Public and Tarball-free

ADEM Accused of Discrimination in Perry County Landfill Case

Alabama Coal-fired Power Plants Dispose Most Coal Ash in Nation

Whooping Cranes Make Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Home

Governor Bentley Announces Grants for Trails

Jefferson County Sewer Overflows a Big Problem

EPA Puts Walter Coke on Notice For Cleanup

International Paper Plant to Become More Energy Efficient
Agencies Gather to Discuss Tornado Debris at Lake Martin

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Anniston Star Editorial: Trail Grants Welcomed
Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve in Auburn

Alabama Water Watch "The Living Downstream" (video)

Tacky Jacks Bar & Grill and the Manatee Network Team Up

CBS 42 in Birmingham's Award winning "Poison in the Air"

Conservation Alabama's Adam Snyder & Avondale Park Profiled in B-Metro

Steve Trash Events

Alabama's Personalized License Plate Environmental Tags: Legacy,
Cahaba River Society, Ducks Unlimited, Forever Wild, Take a Kid Fishing
National Wild Turkey, Forestry,

Jobs, Events and Calendars

The BEN 2012 Jobs, Events and Calendars - January 9th Update

BEN Job Openings, Grants, Events and Organizational Calendar of Events - January 9th Edition

2012-01-07T06:28:00.001-06:00

New items - Ameri-Corps National and State Grants, Bring Back the Natives grants, Birds of Prey Program and Alabama Wildlife Center (January 15), "Creating the Shift" Smart Coast (January 20), Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference (February 24), 2012 Spencer Series Lecture (March 8), 5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest, Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham (May 5), Steve Trash Tourdates

Job Openings

Connecting Youth to the Outdoors Initiative (January 27 deadline)
National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)

NWF Southeast Campus Field Coordinator

Grants

EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

AmeriCorps State and National Grants (January 18 deadline)

Bring Back the Natives Grants (January 20 deadline)

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website

Events

Birds of Prey Progran and Alabama Wildlife Center (January 15)

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

"Creating the Shift" - Smart Coast at 5 Rivers in Spanish Fort (January 20)

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

Green Building Focus Auburn Seminar - January 26th, 2012

Alabama Wildlife Center's "Wild About Chocolate" Feb. 11, 2012

Legacy Grant Writer Conference - Guntersville - February 23rd (no refund deadline January 20)

Legacy Environmental Partnership Conference Guntersville - February 24

2012 Spencer Lecture at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (March 8)

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation

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

Alabama Mountain Games - Cleveland Alabama - March 15-18

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

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

5th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest -Tuscumbia - Colbert County Courthouse April 21st

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

Earth Day at the Gardens - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (May 5)

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

EPA's Pollution Prevention Week - September 16-22

Organizational Calendar of Events

Conservation Alabama Calendar

JSU Field Schools Calendar

Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

Steve Trash Events

Passages & Quotes - Trees

2012-01-06T06:14:00.000-06:00

This edition of BEN Inspirational passages and quotes come primarily from the book SEEDS by Richard Horan- a fantastic Christmas present this year from my wife Kathy. The book is about one man's journey to find trees that inspired American writers. Horan makes several journeys to Alabama to discover trees at the homes of Harper Lee, Truman Capote, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, the Creek Indians and Helen Keller. Additional quotes come from David Brower's book Let the Mountain Talk, Let the Rivers Run. It was nearly twenty years ago in March 1992, Brower, Sierra Club's first director, addressed the Alabama Conservancy's 25th Anniversary Celebration in Birmingham. Wonderful memories. Enjoy!

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington

Publisher

Bama Environmental News

From SEEDS :

"He who plants a tree,/Plants a hope." ~ Lucy Larcom, in the poem 'Plant a Tree"

"I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do." ~ John Muir

"In the slanting sun of late afternoon the shadows of great branches reached across the river, and the trees took the river in their arms." - Norman Maclean

"The forests are disappearing, the rivers are running dry, the game is exterminated, the climate is spoiled, and the earth becomes poorer and uglier every day... When I plant a little birch tree and then see it budding into young green and swaying in the wind, my heart swells with pride... ~ Anton Chekhov, Uncle Vanya

"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe?" ~ Kate Chopin, Mrs. Mobry's Reason

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Trees outstrip most people in the extent and depth of their work for the public good." ~ Sara Ebenreck, American Forests

"A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation." ~ Adlai Stevenson

"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver." ~Martin Luther

"If you are not a tree hugger, then you're a what, a tree hater?" ~Douglas Coupland

From Let the Mountain Talk, Let the Rivers Run :

"The Earth belongs in use to the living... no man can by natural right oblige the lands he occupies, or the persons who succeed him in that occupation, to the payment of debts contracted by him. For if he could, he might during his own life, eat up the use of the lands for several generations to come... then the Earth would belong to the dead and not the living generation...No generation can contract debts greater than may be paid during the course of its own existence." ~ A letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

Allow me to offer you a short course in ecology, beginning with rot. Rot is an extraordinarily important process. Rot is highly exciting. But we give it a three letter word. We say, "This tree is sick," and "This is rotten, anyway. We should get rid of it."

By removing the rotten tree from the forest, we knock out of existence all the species that were going to use that tree for a home, for their dinner, until it rotted away completely, and helped to nourish the next tree, maybe 200 or more years down the line. This is a very good system. Unfortunately, we've learned how to break the circle of life instead of respecting it. ~ David Brower, Let the Mountain Talk, Let the Rivers Run

Perhaps at this moment in our time on Earth, we should all drop back about 200 years and consider again this couplet from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Do you have magic in you? You bet. Magic is that little genetic genius that has been evolving for three billion years: It connects us all to each other and to everything that has come before and that still lives on the planet. That is some magic, and it was formed in wilderness.

Let us begin. Let us restore the Earth. Let the mountains talk, and the rivers run.

Once more, and forever. ~ David Brower, Let the Mountain Talk, Let the Rivers Run

Check out the books - SEEDS by Richard Horan and Let the Mountain Talk, Let the Rivers Run by David Brower

Commentaries from 2005-2012

2012-01-04T23:00:00.000-06:00

Below is a listing of various links to opinion pieces and commentaries Bama Environmental News (BEN) publisher Pat Byington has written and published over the past 6-7 years. Topics include: Solar Energy, Forever Wild, Land Water and Conservation Fund, Outdoor/Nature Education, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Air Quality, Climate Change and Recycling.

2005

Making Progress - Earth Day 2005 Commentary

2006

Strengthen Alabama's Cancer Risk Standard

2007

Hurricane Katrina's Impact - The Need to Address Invasive Species

Recycling in Alabama - A Chance to Make a Difference

2008

Let's Play! Getting Our Children Outdoors (Earth Day 2008)

A Tribute to Mary Burks "You only get one fall each year"

2009

Keep Funding Forever Wild by 2012 (Earth Day 2009)

2010

Recalling Alabama's Natural Heritage

Transit in Birmingham: The Need for Light Rail

Solar Power Means Jobs - Need to Follow Tennessee's Example

Preserving the Environment for Seven Generations (Earth Day 2010)

Protect the Land Water Conservation Fund and "Fairy Houses" (Virginia edition)

Nursing the Gulf Back to Health After the Deepwater Horizon Disaster

2011

New GASP Organization to Tackle Region's Air Pollution Problems

Celebrate Earth Day: Keep Forever Wild "As Is" (Earth Day 2011)
Follow the Scientists on Climate Change

2012

We Can All Be Environmental Heroes

BEN - January 3, 2012 #380

2012-01-03T06:52:00.000-06:00

2011 Green Report Released

Special in this Edition: The 2011 Green Progress Report, Governor Bentley Signs 30% Energy Cut Executive Order, Christmas Tree Recycling Across Alabama, Restore Act Unfinished Business. Sierra Club's 2012 End of the Year Newsletter. New! Links to Alabama Jobs, Grants, and Event Calendars

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Green Progress Report 2011

The 2011 Green Progress Report

Green Progress Report AP/Montgomery Advertiser Story

Green Progress Report Times Daily Story

Green Progress Report Huntsville Story

Green Progress Report Huntsville Times (Editorial)

Green Progress Report Birmingham News Op-ed

Green Progress Report Montgomery Advertiser Editorial

WBRC Green Progress Report Fox 6 Interview (video)

WSFA Green Progress Report Montgomery Story (video)

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News Across Alabama

Governor Signs 30% Energy Cut Executive Order

Christmas Tree Recycling Across Alabama

Birmingham Audubon Society Wants to Save Urban Nesting Area

Alabama Power Downtown Bike Share Program

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Op-eds, Links, Audio and Videos

Mobile Press Register Editorial: Restore Act Unfinished Business

Warren St. John: Biking in Birmingham

Sierra Club's 2012 End of the Year Newsletter

Events, Grants & Job Openings

25 Events, Grants, Job Openings and Calendar Links (January 3rd Edition)

2012 Jobs, Grants, Events and Calendars

2012-01-03T05:56:00.001-06:00

Events, Grants, Calendars and Job Openings

Job Openings

National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (deadline Feb. 17)

NWF Southeast Campus Field Coordinator

Grants
EPA Urban Waters Small Grants (Jan. 16 Deadline)

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Grants Page (website)

Birmingham Audubon Society Grants and Scholarships - Website

Events

Dog River Clearwater Revival Annual Meeting - January 17

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

Green Building Focus Auburn Seminar - January 26th, 2012
Alabama Wildlife Center's "Wild About Chocolate" Feb. 11, 2012

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

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

Spring Hummingbird Banding at Fort Morgan - March 31-April 12

Mobile Bay Earth Day - April 22nd

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

Organizational Calendar of Events
Conservation Alabama Calendar
JSU Field Schools Calendar
Canyon Center Calendar (Little River Canyon Preserve)

Alabama Wildlife Federation Event Calendar

Fresh Air Family Calendar

Alabama Hiking Trail Society - Calendar

Alabama Wildlife Federation Calendar

5 Rivers- Alabama's Delta Resource Center Events

Ruffner Mountain Calendar

Land Trust of North Alabama Events Calendar

Landmark Park in Dothan Calendar

Hummer Bird Study Group Calendar

Weeks Bay Foundation Calendar
Alabama Wildlife Center Calendar

4th Annual Green Report 2011

2011-12-27T09:07:00.000-06:00

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

The fourthannual GRCA Green Progress Report recaps some of the most significant events in2011 related to improving Alabama’s environment, reducing energy use and waste,and protecting the state’s natural resources.

Check out the entire report - here.