BEN - October 9, 2008 #309

(cut & paste links)

1) Watercress Darter Fish Kill in Birmingham

2) Alabama's Freshwater Biodiversity - Info from the Nature Conservancy

3) Birmingham Business Journal's Green Awards

4) Engineering News-Record Names Top Alabama Contractors

5) America's First Biofuels Corridor Opens In Mobile

6) Ruffner Mountain Construction Underway

7) BEN Notes: Help Wanted: Enviro Jobs Available, Renew Our Rivers Schedule, Alabama Heritage Wild and Rural Art Show, Weeks Bay Native Plant Sale, Baldwin County League of Women Voters "Critical Water Issues", Alabama Wildlife Center "Creatures of the Night", Bays and Bayous Symposium, Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Sweetwater Brewing Company "Save the Black Warrior River" 

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Ecofest 10 Tonight

The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College will be celebrating Ecofest 10 tonight, September 9th, 6pm at WorkPlay in Birmingham.  Don't miss this fantastic event and a chance to support environmental education.  Tickets are available at the door for $50.

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Thicket Magazine and Breast Cancer Awareness

Subscribe to Thicket during the months of October and November and 50% of the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, North Central Alabama Affiliate. Look for the pink subscription cards inside the magazine (found in local Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million bookstores around the state), or subscribe online. 

http://thicketmag.com/subscribe-today.php

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Check out Huntsville Times John Ehinger's Blog "Bird Droppings" 

http://blog.al.com/bird/

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1. Watercress Darter Fish Kill in Birmingham - Last month, city of Birmingham employees removed a dam in a Roebuck Springs pond that resulted in killing or stranding 11,760 endangered watercress darters.  The removal of the dam, at the edge of the pond, was done without consultation with federal agencies, according to the Birmingham News.  

Until the dam was breached, the park's 50 to 60 foot wide pond was home to the largest population of the federally protected watercress darter, which lives in only four known locations, all in Jefferson County.  The dam was removed because the pond occasionally flooded adjacent tennis courts.  

In coordination with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, a team of biologists have made recommendations in an effort to restore the darter's habitat.  Their recommendations can be found here - http://www.alabamarivers.org/press-room/headlines/scientific-reccommendations-for-roebuck-springs

To view "before and after" pictures of the pond and a detail story about this devastating incident, visit - http://blog.locustfork.net/tag/formal-investigation-launched-in-roebuck-fish-kill/ 

You can also read an op-ed BEN publisher Pat Byington wrote about the watercress darter in 2007.

http://www.bamanews.com/2007/07/bham-news-preserve-gods-tapestry-in.html

2. Alabama's Freshwater Biodiversity - Info from the Nature Conservancy -  How does Alabama rank nationally in freshwater biodiversity?  From the Nature Conservancy of Alabama:

Alabama Ranks 1st Nationally in Freshwater Biodiversity

1st - Freshwater Fishes - 317 species

1st - Freshwater Mussels - 178 species

1st - Freshwater Snails - 174 species

1st - Crayfish - 85 species

1st - Turtles - 27 species

Alabama Ranks 2nd in extinctions (1st in lower 48 states)

Number of species

                                         Extinct                 Extirpated               Total                             

Freshwater Mussels               27                         18                       45

Freshwater Snails                  39                          2                        41

Freshwater Fish                     2                            9                        11

Birds                                     3                            2                        5

Mammals                               0                            4                        4

____________________________________________________

Total                                   71                           35                     106

3. Birmingham Business Journal's Green Awards - The Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) announced their Going Green Awards last week at a luncheon in downtown Birmingham.  The BBJ received 75 nominations in six categories.  The following are this year's winners:

Green Project of the Year - Hilltop Montessori School

Finalists - Red Mountain Park, Miller Gorrie Center, 4-H Environmental Center

Green Advocate of the Year - USGBC Alabama Chapter

Finalists - Cahaba River Society, HKW Associates

Green Builder of the Year - JohnsonKreis Construction

Finalists - Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, Stewart Perry

Green Business Leader of the Year - Ruffner Page, McWane Inc.

Finalists - Andy Fagan, WattStopper; Chris Lewis, L&S Enterprises; Joy Maples, Earth Creations

Green Educator of the Year - Scott Walton, Green Resource Center for Alabama

Finalists - Pete Conroy, Jacksonville State University; Homewood City Schools

Green Innovator of the Year - Trussville Springs

Finalists - Freshwater Land Trust, Seedco Financial

Check out the winners at - http://www.birminghambusinessjournal.com or order their Green Awards special edition by calling 205-322-0000.

4.  Engineering News-Record Names Top Alabama Contractors -  The construction trade magazine, Engineering News-Record, known for its industry lists, named five (5) Alabama Contractors to its list of the nation's Top 100 Green Contractors for 2008.

Published in its September 22nd issue, the listing was based on the volume of green projects worked on by contractors that have been  registered or certified based on sustainability.  An example of certification would be the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certifications.  Here is how the five Alabama companies ranked nationally:

#23 - Harbert International LLC of Birmingham

#26 - Caddell Construction Co. Inc. of Montgomery

#58 - BE&K Inc. of Birmingham

#89 - Hoar Construction LLC of Birmingham

5. America's First Biofuels Corridor Opens In Mobile - Earlier this week, the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and the ADECA-Energy Division, in partnership with Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee state governments and businesses, opened up the nation's first Biofuels Corridor on I-65 beginning in Mobile and ending in Gary, Indiana.

There will now be thirty-two (32) E85 ethanol and eight (8) B20 biodisesel pumps throughout the 886 mile I-65 corridor. Fifteen (15) of the E85/B20 pumps  are located in Alabama.  E85 (85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline) can be used in any vehicle designated to use "Flex Fuels."  A guide to determine if your vehicle is Flex-Fuel ready may be found at http://www.e85refueling.com .  B20 (20% Biodiesel, 80% petroleum based diesel) may be used in any diesel engine.

Alabama has been moving forward on several fronts in the past 2-3 years promoting alternative energy/fuels.  Some of those of those projects have included:

* City of Hoover is operating 85% of its vehicles on alternative fuels;

* "Grease to Biodiesel" programs implemented in Hoover, Montgomery, Daphne, and Gadsden;

* City of Auburn's 250 diesel vehicle fleet now uses biodiesel;

* Gulf Coast Energy opens and produces ethanol at their first cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in Livingston, Alabama.

To learn more about the I-65 Biofuels Corridor and projects throughout Alabama, visit http://www.AlabamaCleanFuels.org

6. Ruffner Mountain Construction Underway - Exciting news from Ruffner Mountain. Stewart Perry has been awarded the contract by Ruffner Mountain Nature Center for construction of its new LEED certified Tree Top Visitor Center and Education Pavilion.  These “green” structures will replace the existing Visitor Center (a former residence) and small pavilion. The existing pavilion is being moved and rebuilt near Ruffner’s new wetland located off Ruffner Road.  

Construction began September 3 and is expected to be completed by early summer 2009.  The Visitor Center will contain new live wildlife exhibits (turtles, snakes, frogs & non-releasable birds of prey), a birdviewing window, a large multipurpose meeting/activity room, staff offices, restrooms, gift shop and a viewing deck.  The new Education Pavilion will have a large space for programs, restroom facilities, a vending area with adjacent picnic deck and storage space.  Already completed is a 3 acre wetland with an ADA accessible boardwalk/trail winding through it located on the Irondale side of the mountain.  A new access road to the wetland has been surveyed but no construction date has been announced. Ruffner’s Board of Directors is completing its capital campaign for this $5.5 million Phase I of a 2005 Master Plan for expansion.  The nature trails and existing Visitor Center will remain open to the public during construction. 

  

7. BEN Notes: Help Wanted: Enviro Jobs Available, Renew Our Rivers Schedule, Alabama Heritage Wild and Rural Art Show, Weeks Bay Native Plant Sale, Baldwin County League of Women Voters "Critical Water Issues", Alabama Wildlife Center "Creatures of the Night", Bays and Bayous Symposium,  Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Sweetwater Brewing Company "Save the Black Warrior River" 

Help Wanted: Enviro Jobs Available - There are several jobs available within the environmental community this fall.  Here are links to the latest listings:

Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Director Position Open - 

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/site/Forefront/Director_Ad-09-08.pdf

Conservation Alabama hiring an Outreach Director  -http://www.conservationalabama.org/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={B8BDE2CD-75C7-49F3-B613-2ABEBFB938E1}&DE={3FB4D8FE-4A5C-4372-8456-950FD47298F5}

Alabama Rivers Alliance seeking Program Director -

http://www.alabamarivers.org/careers/job-opening-program-director-for-the-alabama-rivers-alliance

Coastal Wonders seeking Assistant Program Director - 

http://www.coastalwonders.org/images/stories/Microsoft_Word_-_Assistant_Program_Director_Job_Announcement_-_2008.pdf

Renew Our Rivers Schedule - Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers Program has enlisted  in 2008 more than 5000 volunteers picking up 750,000 pounds of trash. Here are the remaining cleanups in 2008 with contact info included:

October 10 - Locust Fork (Birmingport boat ramp and Plant Miller holding pond - Brandon Patrick, 205-288-4562;

October  20-22 - Smith Lake at the Smith Dam boat launch - Jim Beason 205-387-2654;

October 25 - Lake Mitchell (Coosa River) at Higgins Ferry Park, 8:00 am - Larry Waldron 205 987-7217 or Doug Martin, 205 755-0863;

Alabama Heritage Wild and Rural Art Show - Join with conservationists, hunters, anglers, farmers, artists and all lovers of nature for a creative celebration of the wild diversity of Alabama - October 11th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Blackwood Gallery in Springville, Alabama.  The event - Alabama Heritage Wild and Rural Art Show is sponsored by the Alabama Sierra Club's Sustainable Agriculture and Hunter/Angler Campaigns.

Weeks Bay Native Plant Sale - The 15th Annual Native Plant Sale at Weeks Bay is scheduled to be held at Safe Harbor (across from the Weeks Bay Reserve across Hwy 98) on October 10-12 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Baldwin County League of Women Voters "Critical Water Issues" - On October 23rd, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM the League of Women Voters of Baldwin County will be holding a forum on "Critical Water Issues" at the Adult Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Dr. in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Featured speaker - Dr. George Crozier.

Alabama Wildlife Center "Creatures of the Night" - The Alabama Wildlife Center will be holding an educational event featuring "things that go bump in the night."  The event will be held on October 25th 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Alabama Wildlife Center in Oak Mountain State Park.  For details call Janet Byars at 205-663-7930 or visit http://www.awrc.org  .

Bays and Bayous Symposium - The Mississippi-Alabama Bays and Bayous Symposium will be held on October 28-29 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.  For complete information and registration materials, visit  http://www.mobilebaynep.com/site/Forefront/Bays%20and%20Bayous%20Save%20the%20Date.pdf

Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival - The Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Alabama Environmental Council will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival on November 6th, 5:30PM at the McWane Center in Birmingham.  Visit http://www.alabamarivers.org/wild  for details.

Sweetwater Brewing Company "Save the Black Warrior River" - Sweetwater Brewing Company has launched a campaign throughout October called "Save the Black Warrior" to help raise funds and awareness for the Black Warrior Riverkeeper.  As part of the campaign local bars and businesses in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham will be selling paper fish to their clientele for $1 to $5, as well as special edition t-shirts.  The Tuscaloosa kickoff event will be on October 16th at Jupiter Bar and Grill (visit http://www.jupiteronthestrip.com)  For complete month-long details about this creative campaign go to http://www.savetheblackwarrior.com

The Passerini Tree

                                                                                        (Click to enlarge picture)

If you ever get a chance to visit the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, check out the Passerini Tree in front of New College's  Carmichael Hall.

Dr. Ed Passerini is now living in Florida, but his legacy lives on through New College, and countless environmental groups, leaders and students in Alabama he touched and enriched for more than 35 years. 

BEN - September 19, 2008 #308

The '"Alabama" piece embedded on the side of the Chicago Tribune Building

(Cut & Paste links)

1. Alabama Ranks 3rd Nationally for Imperiled Fish - From the Birmingham News, Alabama has been ranked third nationally for imperiled fish species according to the first continent-wide study of fishes in 19 years. The report, which was published in the most recent edition of  Fisheries Magazine, was prepared by the American Fisheries Society's Endangered Species Committee.  

Here are some of the reports findings:

* In Alabama, the Tennessee River basin is first  on the continent in the number of imperiled species of fish with 58.  The Mobile River basin is second with 57.

* The southeastern United States leads in imperiled fish, with species declining faster than in the rest of North America.

* Approximately 39% of described fish species of the continent are imperiled with 230 categorized as vulnerable, 190 threatened, and 280 endangered.

* Nationally, endangered fish have increased from 103 to 280 species since the first study in 1989.  And the number of subspecies in trouble have tripled in 19 years.

* Of the species of fish that were considered imperiled in 1989, 89% are in the same or worse in conservation status; only 6% have improved in status.

The main cause for the number of imperiled fish species in Alabama and the Southeast was the construction of dams decades ago, which altered and damaged aquatic habitat.  Declining water quality attributed to silt and increased land disturbances in the rapidly growing South are also a primary cause for the high number of imperiled fish.

Check out the entire Birmingham News story written by environment reporter Katherine Bouma at:

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1221552935282610.xml&coll=2

2. Coastal Partnership to Provide $1.5 Million for Habitat Restoration - In August, the Alabama Department of Conservation State Lands Division and Dauphin Island Sea Lab announced a historic research and conservation partnership to construct shoreline restoration projects at two sites: the northeast shoreline of Point aux Pins and the undeveloped shoreline on the southwest side of the Boggy Point boat ramp site in Orange Beach.  Both projects will utilize oyster shell breakwaters to protect eroding shorelines and promote the re-establishment of marsh plants and seagrasses.

Additionally, a seagrass restoration project in Little Lagoon, adjacent to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge will be significantly expanded.  

These projects have been made possible by a post-Hurricane Katrina fisheries restoration grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  For more information about Dauphin Island Sea Lab's efforts, visit http://www.disl.org  .

3. Men's Health Magazine Greenest Drivers Grades - Montgomery D+  Bham.  F  -  Who has the "Greenest Drivers" in the U.S.?  According to a Men's Health Magazine study the title goes to Seattle, Washington.  Unfortunately, Alabama did not fare to well in the study with Montgomery receiving a D+ and a 79th ranking out of 100 U.S. Metro cities.  Birmingham actually ranked lower, scoring a "F"  and ranking 96th out 100.

As the magazine put it - "To identify which cities are driving us to extinction, we tabulated data on gasoline consumption, miles racked up annually, air quality (ozone and particle pollutants), vehicle efficiency (that is their size, age, and frequency of tune-ups) and mass transit quality and usage." The magazine compiled studies from the American Lung Association, National Transit Database, Energy Information Administration and the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M to come up with its ranking.

You can access the study at the following link:  http://www.menshealth.com/metrogrades/08_july_cars/cars.html

4. Alabama Ranks 7th Worst Nationally For Littering According to a Recent Study - According to a study produced by Texas State University researcher Steve Spacek, Alabama ranks 7th worst nationally in addressing litter.  Using eight objective factors and four subjective factors, Alabama rated low because it does not have a litter tax, a beverage container law and for the percentage of litter/debris related fatal wrecks caused by highway debris such as blown tires, treads and vehicle parts.  Here is a links to the study titled the American State Litter Scorecard.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt/files/AmericanStateLitterScorecard.pdf

This past year, the Alabama Legislature has convened a new anti-litter commission, which is scheduled to report to the Legislature  by November 1, 2010.

5. BEN Notes: Birmingham Audubon's Mini-Grant Program, Mark Berte: Alabama's 1901 Constitution, "Moon Over Three Caves" in Huntsville, Alabama Coastal Cleanup, ARA's River Revival, Cahaba by Moonlight, Gateway to Greenspace, The Southern Environmental Center's EcoFest, JSU Canyon Center Sneak Peak Tour, John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest

Birmingham Audubon's Mini-Grant Program - The Birmingham Audubon Society is offering $300 mini-grants to support conservation and environmental education in Jefferson and Shelby counties.  Learn how to apply for the grants by visiting their website at http://www.birminghamaudubon.org  The deadline for applications is September 27th.

Mark Berte: Alabama's 1901 Constitution - Check out tonight (Sept 18th) Alabama Constitution Reform leader Mark Berte, at the Birmingham Audubon Society's monthly meeting. The topic of the 7:00 presentation at the Birmingham Zoo is "Alabama's Constitution: It's a Thick Book and a Big Impact on the Environment"

"Moon Over Three Caves" in Huntsville - Join the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama, this Saturday, September 20, 7:30-11:00 pm. at the Historic Three Caves in Huntsville for the Moon Over Three Caves Dance  The environmental event of the year in Huntsville!  Reserve your tickets today by calling 256-534-LAND  (5263).

Alabama Coastal Cleanup - The Alabama Coastal Cleanup will be held this year on September 20 - 8 a.m. to Noon.  Contact Amy King at 251-928-9792 or amy.king@dcnr.alabama.gov for details.

ARA's/Locust Fork's River Revival - Friends of Locust Fork and the Alabama Rivers Alliance's  will be hosting their 3rd annual River Revival Outdoor Music Festival, Sunday, September 21, 1:00 to 6:00pm at King's Bend on the Locust Fork River in Cleveland, Alabama. Visit http://www.alabamarivers.org  for additional details.

Cahaba by Moonlight - Don't miss Cahaba by Moonlight  on  September 25th  at the Historic Carraway - Davie House and Conference Center.  A wonderful event, proceeds benefit the efforts of the Cahaba River Society.  For more information, visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org or call 322-5326.

Gateway to Greenspace - The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham will be holding the 2008 Building Communities Conference - Gateway to Greenspace: Connecting Citizens, Governments, & Businesses  on October 2nd, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham.  For details call Tom Maxwell at 205-264-8445 /tmaxwell@rpcgb.org  or visit http://www.rpcgb.org

The Southern Environmental Center's EcoFest - The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College will be holding their 10th Annual Ecofest event benefiting the Center on October 9th at Workplay in Birmingham.  For additional details and ticket information call 205-226-4934.

JSU Canyon Center Sneak Peak Tour - The JSU Canyon Center will be holding a Sneak Peak tour on the afternoon of Sunday, October 19th.  Call the JSU Environmental Policy and Information Center for details at 256-782-5681 and check out the center at http://epic.jsu.edu/lrc/center.html

John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest - Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest to be held on October 16-18.  Check it out at  http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

10,512 Shoes - National Geographic World Record

Traveling to Washington, DC last month I came upon this site directly across from The Wilderness Society's office in front of the National Geographic Museum.

Here is the story about the world record.  

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Stories/MoreStories/Guinness-shoes  (cut & paste link)

BEN - July 28, 2008 #307

The pier at Five Rivers in Spanish Fort, Alabama

(links - cut & paste)

Take Pride Statewide Conference - August 12-13 at Samford University

Football great Bart Starr and First Lady Patsy Riley are teaming up with Auntie Litter, holding the first ever Take Pride Statewide Conference for litter prevention at Samford University in Birmingham on August 12-13. It has also been announced that Senator Jeff Sessions will also be addressing the event. Please  register today at http://www.TakePrideStatewide.org  or call 205-879-3009.

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Project CATE

Now Available Skeeter's Wild Adventures, the second in the series of conservation curriculum by The Project CATE Foundation.  Skeeter's Wild Adventures includes conservation information about mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the Southeast.  Produced and programmed by Educational Concepts, Skeeter's is an interactive CD Rom suitable for all ages and all grades.  The Project CATE Foundation and Educational Concepts spent eight years in production following the release of Ribbet's Big Splash in 2000.  You can order either CD online, free of charge to teachers, at http://www.projectcate.com or contact the Project CATE Foundation, Inc., c/o Neil Johnston, P.O. Box 123, Mobile, Alabama, 36601, or email njohnston@handarendall.com

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1. Alabama Health Department Issues Fish Consumption Advisories - According to an Alabama Department of Public Health press release last week, the agency added new fish consumption advisories for  12 bodies of water in Alabama.  The Health Department annually updates fish consumption advisories based on data collected the preceding fall by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Beginning with the 2007 advisories, the Department of Health adopted a contaminant level for mercury in fish that would protect those who might consider eating more than one fish meal per week.  This new standard which was produced by the US Environmental Protection Agency is 4 times more protective than the previous standard.  

The areas where the new advisories have been issued are: Choccolocco Creek - Calhoun County, Choccolocco Creek - Talladega County, Choctawhatchee River - Geneva County, Frank Jackson Lake - Covington County, Lake Jackson - Covington County, Lewis Smith Reservoir - Cullman County, Lewis Smith Reservoir - Winston County, North River - Tuscaloosa County, Pea River - Geneva County, Sepulga River - Escambia County, Lake Tuscaloosa County

Please visit http://www.adph.org  (here is the pdf file - http://www.adph.org/news/Default.asp?id=514 ) to receive detailed information about new and previous advisories (there are 32 additional bodies of water listed) that are still in place, the specific locations of the advisories and the recommended consumption level.

2. Tuscaloosa County to Preserve 250 Acres of Hurricane Creek - In cooperation with the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA), the Tuscaloosa County Commission voted this week to purchase 250 acres along Hurricane Creek, including an environmentally sensitive section known as the M Bend (near Alabama Hwy 216 Bridge over Hurricane Creek). The land will be used as a public park. 

The property is being bought from the Trust for Public Land, a national, nonprofit land conservation group based in Tennessee.  The organization recently purchased  the land from a Tuscaloosa family.  According to the Tuscaloosa News, the goal behind the land purchase is to preserve and protect the land and the creek.  The land has been a popular site for canoeing and swimming and is know for its rare wildlife and rock formations. 

"This is probably the biggest thing that has ever happened environmentally in this county," stated John Wathen, director of Friends of Hurricane Creek in the News.

3. Cooper Family Preserves Land Near Little River Canyon National Preserve - Earlier this month the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama announced that they have received a donation of 23 acres of land  near Little River Canyon National Preserve, by the family of the late Jerome  "Buddy" Cooper.

The land, which is on the east bend of the Little River West Fork between Mentone and above Desoto Falls State Park in DeKalb County, was owned by Buddy Cooper, a prominent Alabama lawyer who served Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, represented labor unions in the turbulent 1950's-60's, and was an environmental pioneer leading the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and campaigning for the Sipsey Wilderness.  There is a wonderful story about Cooper's life and love of the land on the Land Trust's website at http://www.landtrust-hsv.org/CooperMentone.htm

4. NOAA Plans To Invest $1 Million Restoring Alabama's Shorelines - Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced plans to invest $1 million over three years to help restore Alabama's Mobile Bay, partnering with local organizations and citizens to reverse the loss of wetlands caused by coastal development.

As part of the innovative restoration practice, "Living Shorelines," projects are already planned for Luscher Park on Dog River in Mobile County and an Alabama Oyster Reef and Fisheries Habitat Enhancement Program. Some of the local partners in this effort include the University of South Alabama, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and various local community organizations.

Through NOAA's Restoration Center, more than $7 million has been invested in the state of Alabama since 1999.  Altogether these projects have restored numerous salt marshes and seagrass, created oyster reefs, and educated coastal communities about the value of habitat and restoration.  Overall the program has engaged more than 1,100 volunteers and resulted in the restoration of approximately 90 acres of coastal habitat.

5. Birmingham's Citywide Cleanup Nets 200 Million Pounds Of Rubbish -  Here are some stunning numbers out of Birmingham on the amount of rubbish the city has hauled away from it's 23 in 23 citywide cleanup program.  According to a Birmingham News report, the city this year in the first 6 months, has disposed of 100,142 (200 million pounds) of rubbish, cut and cleared 2311 lots, cleaned 607 ditches and towed away 835 cars.

"We've cleaned things in the last six months that in some cases haven't been cleaned in 20 or 30 years," said Don Lupo of the Mayor's Office of Citizens Assistance. 

The 23 in 23 program was of the first projects instituted by Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford when he entered into office late last year.

6.  Alabama's Scenic River Trail Designated National Recreational Trail - The new 631 mile Alabama Scenic River Trail - a boating trail that stretches from the Coosa River in Northeast Alabama to Fort Morgan, has been designated a National Recreational Trail by the Department of Interior.  The river trail, which is billed as the nation's longest in one state is one of over a 1000 trails that have received the designation.

To learn how to trek the length of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, visit their website at http://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com

7. BEN Notes: Alabama Rivers Alliance Save & Share, Alabama Coastal Cleanup, Moon Over Three Caves Dance in Huntsville, Friends of Locust Fork's River Revival Outdoor Festival, John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest, My Energy Potential Website

Alabama Rivers Alliance Save & Share - Join the Alabama Rivers Alliance (ARA) and participating organizations in their Summer Save & Share Campaign.  All you have to do to participate is to implement some of the water-saving tips that can be found on the ARA website at http://www.alabamarivers.org, watch your water bills to see how much water and money you save, then donate the savings to the ARA or one of the participating groups.  As a special incentive, Good People Brewing Company, a new brewery that has opened  in downtown Birmingham, has agreed to match any Save and Share donations.

Alabama Coastal Cleanup - The Alabama Coastal Cleanup will be held this year on September 20 - 8 a.m. to Noon.  Contact Amy King at 251-928-9792 or amy.king@dcnr.alabama.gov for details.

Moon Over Three Caves Dance in Huntsville - Save the Date!  The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama will be holding their annual Moon Over Three Caves Dance - September 20, 7:30-11:00 pm at Historic Three Caves.  Please make reservations by calling 256-534-5263 or visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org/moon_dance.htm  for details.

Friends of Locust Fork's River Revival Outdoor Festival - Save the Date! The Friends Locust Fork will be hosting their 3rd annual River Revival Outdoor Music Festival, Sunday, September 21, 1:00 to 6:00pm at King's Bend on the Locust Fork River in Cleveland, Alabama.

John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest - Marl your calendars for the 5th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest to be held on October 16-18.  Check it out at  http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

My Energy Potential Website - BEN reader Tabetha Reyes has developed a fantastic website about green buildings and saving energy.  Check it out at  http://www.myenergypotential.com  

BEN Special Passages - July 21, 2008

As a result of rising gas prices, and difficult economic times, we are hearing day after day the constant drumbeat to open up our public lands, shores and wildernesses to all forms of natural resource extraction.

Below is a compilation of "special passages" that I hope will inspire you and remind us all, why we must protect and preserve our national treasures and natural heritage. 

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington

Publisher BEN

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….the glory of the United States must rest and has rested upon a firmer foundation than that of her purely material resources.  It is the love of country that has lighted and that keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism.  And this love is excited, primarily, by the beauty of the country.  

– J. Horace McFarland, remarks before the White House Conference on Conservation and Natural Resources, 1908

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There are always rival claims to every unexploited area, and even the parks cannot stand up against such claims unless the strength of their own claim is recognized.  Unless we think of intangible values as no less important than material resources, unless we are willing to say that man’s need of and right to what the parks and wildernesses provide are as fundamental as any of his material needs they are lost…..

The generations now living may very well be that which will make the irrevocable decision whether or not America will continue to be for centuries to come the one great nation which had the foresight to preserve an important part of its heritage.  If we do not preserve it, then we shall have diminished by just that much the unique privilege of being an American.  

-  Joseph Wood Krutch

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Wilderness is an anchor to windward.  Knowing it is there, we can also know that we are still a rich Nation, tending to resources as we should - not a people in despair searching every last nook and cranny of our land for board of lumber, a barrel of oil, a blade of grass, or a tank of water."

- Senator Clinton P. Anderson of New Mexico

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His (President Theodore Roosevelt) methods were often unorthodox.  In 1908 a canny speculator (later a United States Senator) saw the tourism potential of Arizona's Grand Canyon, and sought to control access to it by preempting the awe-inspiring overlooks with a series of mining claims.  The move would have been entirely legal, as the Canyon was part of the public domain.  The problem was taken with alarm to the President.  His first impulse was to make the Canyon a national park, but there was not time to wait for an Act of Congress.  Two years earlier, however, Congress had passed the Antiquities Act, giving Presidents the power to create 'National Monuments" for the preservation of 'historic landmarks....and other objects of historic or scientific interest."

Although the Grand Canyon seemed scacrely to fit the description, the Attorney General told Roosevelt he could take a chance and make it a national monument.  TR signed a proclamation on the spot, and withdrew the canyon and its rims from mining entry.  Twelve years later (after Roosevelt's death) the United States Supreme Court, in a broad minded moment, did some conserving of its own and upheld the action, putting the indelible ink of authority into a pen that congressional committees had hardly intended to place in presidential hands. 

- From the book The Quiet Crisis and The Next Generation, author Stewart Udall

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Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into comic books and plastic cigarette cases; if we drive the few remaining members of the wild species into zoos or to extinction; if we pollute the last clear air and dirty the last clean streams and push our paved roads through the last of the silence, so that never again will Americans be free in their own country from the noise, the exhausts, the stinks of human and automotive waste.  And so that never again can we have the chance to see ourselves single, separate, vertical and individual in the world, part of the environment of trees and rocks and soil, brother to the other animals, part of the natural world and competent to belong in it. 

– Wallace Stegner

Southern Appalachian Landscapes - North Carolina

Cherokee National Forest in North Carolina

A Farm Outside Asheville, North Carolina

Southern Appalachian Landscapes - Alabama & Virginia

How I spent my summer - traveling from Alabama to Virginia

Above - The end of the Southern Appalachian Mountains  in Northwest Alabama

A farm near Lexington, Virginia

BEN - July 18, 2008 #306

1) Commute Smart Business Doubling in Alabama

2) Black Warrior Riverkeeper Protects Two Endangered Species 

3) City of Florence Adds Cooking Oil to Its Recycling Program 

4) Study: Birmingham 21st Worst Carbon Footprint in US

5) City of Fairhope Issues Land Disturbance Moratorium

6) BEN Notes:  Beach, Dune and Forest Excursions,  Alabama Coastal Cleanup, Vestavia Hill's 'Green Library", Alabama Hiking Trail Society Calendar of Events, Fresh Air Family Calendar of Events, Fall Migration Celebration at the Alabama Wildlife Center

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Take Pride Statewide Conference - August 12-13 at Samford University

Football great Bart Starr and First Lady Patsy Riley are teaming up with Auntie Litter, holding the first ever Take Pride Statewide Conference for litter prevention at Samford University in Birmingham on August 12-13.  Please  register today at http://www.TakePrideStatewide.org  or call 205-879-3009. 

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1. Commute Smart Business Doubling in Alabama - Rising gas prices have turned many Alabamians into "carpoolers."  

According to Commute Smart in Birmingham interest and participation in their programs has nearly doubled in the past few months.  For example:

* New applicants for the Commute Smart Rideshare program has increased from 450 in April 2007 to 799 in April 2008. 

 

* Active registrants (people looking to carpool) in the Commute Smart database has increased from 3493 in June 2007 to 5957 in June of 2008. 

* Visits to the Commute Smart website has increased 4 times from 842 monthly visits to the Commute Smart website in January 2008 to 3709 first time website visits in June 2008.

As a result of high gas prices, Commute Smart's carpool, vanpool and bike match lists are growing by the day, making it more and more viable to help people carpool to work from their local community or neighborhood.  To learn more about Commute Smart in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile visit http://www.commutesmart.org

2. Black Warrior Riverkeeper Protects Two Endangered Species - The Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Alabama Biodiesel reached a settlement to the pollution lawsuit the Black Warrior Riverkeeper filed on August 22, 2007 in US District Court.  The Honorable Judge John E. Ott approved the settlement requiring Alabama Biodiesel to cease illegal discharges of oil and grease, obtain a pollution permit mandated by the Clean Water Act, and pay $27,500 for a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) in the Black Warrior watershed.

The SEP settlement will benefit Jefferson County's Tapawingo/Penny Springs, habitat of the federally endangered Vermilion and Watercress Darters and a pristine tributary of Turkey Creek.  Both endangered species live only in the Black Warrior watershed.  The parties chose the Freshwater Land Trust, to receive the Alabama Biodiesel's SEP payment and lead the restoration project.

3. City of Florence Adds Cooking Oil to Its Recycling Program - According to the Times Daily, last month, the city of Florence added used cooking oil to its 20 year old recycling program, with plans to transform the oil into cheap biodiesel to run city vehicles.  City residents will be asked to place waste cooking oil in secure container, to be picked up along with the city's other recyclable items that already include paper, aluminum, plastics and motor oil.

The city's wastewater department has developed a plan to build a $25,000 biodiesel production unit that will produce fuel to be used in city vehicles.  The elimination of the cooking oils in Florence will also prevent tons of grease that accumulates and gums up the city's sewer system.

4. Study: Birmingham 21st Worst Carbon Footprint in US - In a study produced by the Brookings Institute, the city of Birmingham ranks 21st out of the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. for the worst per capita carbon footprints.

According to the study Metro Birmingham-Hoover's per capita footprint from transportation and residential energy use increased 8.41 percent between 200 and 2005.  the average per capita footprint of the 100 largest metro areas and of the nation increased 1.1 percent and 2.2 percent during this time, respectively. The transportation portion of Birmingham-Hoover's per capita increased 10.5 percent between 2000-2005 compared to an increase of 2.4 percent in the 100 metro areas.

To check out the entire Brookings report, visit http://www.brookings.edu/metro/CarbonFootprint.aspx

5. City of Fairhope Issues Land Disturbance Moratorium - According to BalwinCountyNow.com, in June, the city Council of Fairhope established a moratorium on "land disturbance permits" that have a negative impact on wetlands within the city limits and the city's building permitting jurisdiction.  

"We want to save as many wetlands as possible because of the positive impact they have on stormwater runoff," said Barry Fulford, city build official.  'The more you take away from these areas that naturally soak up water, the more runoff you're going to have that ends up in the bay through sewers and creeks."

The new ordinance, which will be in place until October 15th, allows the city to tighten up its stormwater ordinances to protect wetlands.  

6. BEN Notes:  Beach, Dune and Forest Excursions, Alabama Coastal Cleanup, Vestavia Hill's 'Green Library", Alabama Hiking Trail Society Calendar of Events, Alabama Hiking Trail Society Calendar of Events, Fall Migration Celebration at the Alabama Wildlife Center

Beach, Dune and Forest Excursions - Walk through the Audubon Bird Sanctuary's maritime forest on Dauphin Island on July 29th, 9 a.m. to Noon.  Cost: $15 adults/$10 children - contact Mendel Graeber 251-861-2127 or mgraeber@disl.org

Alabama Coastal Cleanup - The Alabama Coastal Cleanup will be held this year on September 20 - 8 a.m. to Noon.  Contact Amy King at 251-928-9792 or amy.king@dcnr.alabama.gov for details.

Vestavia Hill's 'Green Library" - Vestavia Hills is building the first LEED building library in Alabama.  Check it out at http://www.libraryintheforest.org

Alabama Hiking Trail Society Calendar of Events - http://www.hikealabama.org

Fresh Air Family Calendar of Events - http://www.freshairfamily.org

Fall Migration Celebration at the Alabama Wildlife Center - Join the Alabama Wildlife Center on August 30th, 2:00 p.m. for the Fall Migration Celebration. For information about this exciting day-long event call Janet Byars at 205-663-7930 or visit http://www.awrc.org

National Cathedral During the July 4th Holiday

The Great Seal of Alabama at the National Cathedral.  Notice how we celebrate our rivers!

Took this beautiful picture on July 3rd at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  

Picture of the Day - Splinter Hill Bog

BEN - May 27, 2008 #304

Climate Change and the Future of Hunting and Fishing

Eight of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership's partner hunting, fishing and conservation organizations have released Season's End, a new report detailing the impacts of climate change on the habitat and distribution of fish and game in the U.S. and implications for sustainable hunting and fishing.

The contributing partners include: Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, BASS/ESPN Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Coastal Conservation Association, American Sportfishing Association, Pheasants Forever, and Wildlife Management Institute.

Check the website at:  http://www.seasonsend.org

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Sen. Sessions Energy Tour - This week, Senator Jeff Sessions will be holding an ambitious 15 event statewide energy tour of Alabama outlining his vision for conservation and energy efficiency and a transition to advanced technology.  Some of the events include:

May 27, 8:00 AM - Tour of the LEED Certified Social Security Administration Building with Green Alabama Members

May 29, Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit - Huntsville

May 30,  11:15-12:45 - Auburn University Energy Forum/Lunch

For information about Sen. Session's entire schedule call 202-224-3121.

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1. Forever Wild Adds 154 Acres to Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville - Last week, Forever Wild and the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama announced the preservation of 154 acres on Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Land Trust nominated the property known as the "Terry Tract" to Alabama's Forever Wild conservation program.  It is located on the north end of Monte Sano Mountain and connects The Land Trust's Monte Sano Preserve and Monte Sano State Park.  The Terry Tract is home to a long section of the much loved "Flat Rock" trail which features rock formations and waterfalls.  The new addition, which will be a part  of  Monte Sano State Park was made possible by a partnership between the city of Huntsville, the Land Trust and Forever Wild.

Since 1994, Forever Wild has purchased and preserved more than 138,000 acres of land in Alabama for wildlife management, nature preserves, additions to state parks and outdoor recreation.

2. TVA Sets New Environmental and Energy Goals - In celebration of TVA's 75th Anniversary, through the adoption of a new broad environmental policy, the federal utility's board of directors pledged to reduce its carbon footprint while meeting the region's growing electricity demand.

The new policy calls for TVA to generate half of the agency's power needs from renewable and clean energy sources by 2020, up from 35% today.  The agency also plans to spend as much as $1 billion over the next several years on energy conservation and efficiency programs.  TVA's goal is to reduce growth in peak demand by up to 1,400 megawatts by the end of 2012.  That would exceed the output of one new nuclear reactor.

According to the Associated Press, TVA also expects to complete a seventh nuclear reactor in Tennessee, by 2012, and is studying whether to build a next generation twin-reactor plant in Alabama.

3. Mobile Register: Plan to Open Dams to Restore Fish Migrations - According to Sunday's Mobile Register, a coalition of federal and state regulators, and environmental groups are working on a plan to restore fish migrations between the Cahaba River to the Gulf of Mexico, by helping the fish get around dams.

The plan in Alabama follows a similar effort in Georgia which "opened up" navigation locks to allow flow, in lieu of spending millions of dollars and building complicated fish ladders.  By restoring the fish migrations and reconnecting the Cahaba to the Gulf, conservationist hope to "recover" a multitude of fish and mussel species whose populations have declined drastically since the locks were built in the late 1960s.

Check out the entire story about this exciting new conservation project from the Mobile Register - here. 

4. Freshwater Land Trust Partners With FoodSource Lures - Here is a creative way to raise funds for conservation.  The Freshwater Land Trust and FoodSource Lures have created the Alabama Rivers  series of fishing lures named after Alabama waterways.  The first lures in the series include:

1) the 2-inch Turkey Creek Darter, named for Turkey Creek in Pinson, Alabama

2) the 3-inch Little Warrior, named for the Little Warrior River, a tributary of the Black Warrior River

3) the 4-inch Coosa Flick, named for the Coosa River.

FoodSource has agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of lures to help the Freshwater Land Trust fulfill its mission of acquisition and stewardship of lands that enhance water quality and preserve open space.  For more information about this program, contact the Freshwater Land Trust at 205-226-7900.

5. BEN Notes:  Job Openings: Red Mountain Park Director, Mobile Bay NEP Program Director, 4-H Asst. Manager,   Cahaba Lily Festival, Black Warrior Riverkeeper Concert, Dauphin Island  Sea Labs Summer Programs, Waterfootprint.com

Job Openings: Red Mountain Park Director, Mobile Bay NEP Program Director, 4-H Asst. Manager

Red Mountain Park Executive Director - The new Red Mountain Park in Birmingham is seeking its first executive director.  For information about the position contact Wheless Associates, Morley Alexander at 205-531-6925 or forward your resume and biography to Morley@WhelessAssociates.com

Mobile Bay NEP Program Director - The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program is seeking a Program Director to implement its many community based programs.  To obtain a complete job description visit - http://www.mobilebaynep.com or http://www.disl.org

4-H Asst. Manager - The 4-H Youth Development Center of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System located in Columbiana, Alabama is seeking an Assistant Manager, Education and Programming.  To obtain forms and information concerning this position, call 334-844-5324 or visit http://www.aces.edu/hr

Cahaba Lily Festival - Join us in West Blocton at the Cahaba Lily Festival on May 31st.  This year there will be a dulcimer and bluegrass concert and a story telling event.  For details visit http://www.cahabalily.com/CahabaLilyFestival.htm

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Concert - The Black Warrior Riverkeepers will be holding a benefit concert featuring Rollin in the Hay - June 5th at Bottletree in Birmingham, Alabama.  Tickets are $10.  For additional call 205-458-0095 or visit http://www.blackwarriorriver.org

Dauphin Island  Sea Labs Summer Programs - Dauphin Island Sea Lab still has openings for its summer programs for students of all ages  Check them out at http://www.disl.org or call 251-861-2141.

Waterfootprint.com  -  We have all seen those websites calculating your carbon footprint.  Check out this new site which measures your "water footprint".  Visit http://www.waterfootprint.org