BEN - October 4, 2007 #292

1) Sierra Club Names Upper Cahaba River "Important to Protect"
2) Alabama's Scenic Byways Named
3) Drought of 2007 Impact on Agriculture
4) New Initiative Aims to Restore 37,000 Acres in Longleaf Pine Forests
5) BEN Notes I (Jobs, Grants & Websites) - Red Mountain Greenway Commission Seeking Director, NWF Outreach Position, Forests Forever Grant Application, Biodiversity Heritage Library, NWF Climate Classroom, 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
6) BEN Notes II (Events) - Alabama Assets: Conservation Matters, Solar Home Tour, Mobile Baykeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration, Overfishing in the Gulf Press Conference, SEC's Ecofest, Alabama Coastal Bird Fest, Global Warming Conference in Birmingham, Weeks Bay Foundation to Hold Conservation Easement Seminar, 2nd Annual Raindrop Festival Art Auction

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1. Sierra Club Names Upper Cahaba River "Important to Protect" - Recently, the Sierra Club released a new national report titled "The 52 Most Important Places to Protect Within the Next 10 Years." The report identified the Upper Cahaba River in metropolitan Birmingham as a priority "place to protect" in Alabama. The Club designated the Upper Cahaba because of the river's biological diversity and it's use as a primary drinking water source for the region. Population pressures and suburban sprawl were recognized as the primary threats to the river.

To read about the Upper Cahaba and the other "51 Most Important Places" visit : http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlegacy/52places/

2. Black Warrior Scenic Byway Designated - Recently, the Black Warrior Scenic Byway was named Alabama's seventh scenic byway designated by the state Scenic Byway program. The state program, which was founded in 1998, has named the following state scenic byways since its inception:

Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway
Barbour County Governor's Trail
Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail
Black Warrior River Scenic Byway
Leeds Stagecoach Route
Lookout Mountain Parkway
Alabama's Coastal Connection

Alabama has three (3) National Scenic Byways

Talladega Scenic Drive
Natchez Trace Scenic Drive
Selma to Montgomery March Scenic Byway

To learn more about the Alabama Scenic Byway program, visit their website at: http://www.alabamabyways.org

3. Drought of 2007 Impact on Agriculture - According to the Birmingham News, Alabama farmers planted 50% more of their land with corn this year hoping to benefit from high corn prices resulting from increased demand for ethanol fuel production. The hope for a big payday has been spoiled by this year's drought.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service - the corn harvest forecast is a 31.3% increase from the 11.8 million bushels reaped in 2006. The increase occurred because the number of acres planted with corn rose from 200,000 last year to 300,000 this year - up by 50%. The predicted yield per acre for corn is 65 bushels, down from 72 bushels last year and a 10 year average of 95 acres.

Other crop impacts:

Hay Production is expected to fall from 2 tons per acre last year to 1.7 tons this year.
Peanut harvest is predicted to be 345.4 million pounds or 15.2% less than last year.
Cotton production is 470,000 bales or about 30.4% less than the 675,000 bales harvested last year.

4. New Initiative Aims to Restore 37,000 Acres in Longleaf Pine Forests - A new initiative under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program aims to enroll and restore 37,000 acres of Alabama forestland into Longleaf Pine Forests. The program, which began last year in October and will end this year on December 31, 2007 seeks to restore more than 250,000 acres of longleaf pine throughout the South.

Historically, the longleaf pine was the dominant tree species on an estimated 60 million acres along the coastal plain from east Texas to the Piedmont of Virginia, and extending into the Mountains of Alabama. Today natural stands of longleaf pines currently occupy less than 3 million acres of its original range. To learn how to enroll in this program, contact your local Forestry Commission office or visit the Farm Service website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov

5. BEN Notes I (Jobs, Grants & Websites) - Red Mountain Greenway Commission Seeking Director, NWF Outreach Position, Forests Forever Grant Application, Biodiversity Heritage Library, NWF Climate Classroom, 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise

Red Mountain Greenway Commission Seeking Director - The Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission is seeking an Executive Director to lead the development and implementation of the Red Mountain Park. If you would like to request a full job description, please contact Lauren Seto at lauren@clarusgroup.net or call 205-254-0129.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is seeking a regional Outreach Director for their Atlanta Southeast Office. For details and application information go to: https://secure.nwf.org/careergateway/index.cfm?fuseaction=search

Forests Forever Grant Application - The 2008 Forests Forever Grant Application is available at the Alabama Forests Forever website - http://www.alaforestsforever.org The grant applications are due November 1st. If you have any questions about the application or process, call or email Rick Oates at 334-481-2130 or roates@alaforestry.org

Biodiversity Heritage Library - Ten major natural history museum libraries, botanical libraries, and research institutions have joined to form the Biodiversity Heritage Library Project. Over 1,124 million pages of key taxonomic literature are already available on the web. To visit this site go to - http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org

NWF Climate Classroom - The National Wildlife Federation's Climate Classroom is designed to help parents and teachers talk to students of differing ages about global warming. Download slide presentations, age-adapted sources of useful curricula and educator guidelines at http://www.ClimateClassroom.org

2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - The 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has been released. There are now 41,415 species on the IUCN Red List and 16,306 of them are threatened with extinction. Here is the IUCN Red List website - http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/redlist2007/index_redlist2007.htm

National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise - Check out this website on coastal vulnerability to sea rise from the US Geological Service - http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2000/of00-179/

6. BEN Notes II (Events) - Alabama Assets: Conservation Matters, Solar Home Tour, Mobile Baykeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration, Overfishing in the Gulf Press Conference, SEC's Ecofest, Alabama Coastal Bird Fest, Global Warming Conference in Birmingham, Weeks Bay Foundation to Hold Conservation Easement Seminar, 2nd Annual Raindrop Festival Art Auction

Alabama Assets: Conservation Matters - Check out Beth Maynor Young's latest opening in Birmingham at the Marilyn Wilson Gallery - Oct. 5th, 5-8PM at 3908 Clairmont Ave. Birmingham 35222. For more info call 205-591-1150 or visit http://www.kingfishereditions.com

Mobile Baykeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration - Mobile Baykeeper will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary on October 4th, 6-8 pm at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway. The keynote speaker for the event will be Steve Fleischli, President of Waterkeeper Alliance. Entertainment will be provided by the local bluegrass band, Delta Reign, featuring Kenji Bunch, Composer in Residence with the Mobile Symphony. Food, beer and wine will also be served. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling Mobile Baykeeper at 251-433-4229. You can also visit http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org for additional details.

Solar Home Tour - Energize Alabama is sponsoring 2 local Solar Home tours in rural Blount County on Saturday Oct. 6th at 9:00am and 2:00pm. Register at greenworks@juno.com (put "home tour" in subject line) or call 205-429-4120. For additional info go to http://www.EnergizeAlabama.org

Overfishing in the Gulf Press Conference - On October 10th, 11:00am at Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile, a diverse coalition of Forty (40) fishermen, scientists, tourism providers and environmental groups will be holding a news conference calling for new regulations to end overfishing in the Gulf. To learn more about this event contact Emily Stone with USPIRG at 617-990-7430.

SEC's Ecofest - The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham-Southern College will holding EcoFest 9, Thursday, October 11, 6-9pm at WORKPLAY in Birmingham. This year's gourmet food will be provided by Gray Bynum of Culinard & Chris Dupont of Cafe Dupont. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling the SEC at 205-226-4934.

Alabama Coastal Bird Fest - The 4th Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest returns October 18-21 in Spanish Fort at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. Visit http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com for a complete list of field trip destinations, schedules, costs and registration and lodging information.

Global Warming Conference in Birmingham - Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens will be holding 'Calming Global Climate Change Symposium" on October 30, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Gardens. For registration details visit - http://www.bbgardens.org/Calming-Climate-Change_197_ev.htm or call 205-414-3950.

Weeks Bay Foundation to Hold Conservation Easement Seminar - The Weeks Bay Foundation is sponsoring an advanced seminar on conservation easements and land stewardship with Stephen Small. The seminar is scheduled for November 2nd at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, 8:00am to 4:00pm. For more information contact Mike Shelton at 251-928-9792.

2nd Annual Raindrop Festival Art Auction - The 2nd Annual Raindrop Festival Art Auction benefiting the Hulsey Little River Land Trust will be held November 10th at ROJO in Birmingham, Alabama. The Hulsey Land Trust was founded in 2006 in honor of Shane Hulsey, the Cahaba River Society's CLEAN Director who died in tragic accident. For information about Shane and the new Land Trust please visit http://friendsofshane.blogspot.com/2006/12/hulsey-little-river-trust.html

BEN - Labor Day Special

Dear BEN Reader:

I love this time of year. It seems every Labor Day weekend the temperatures fall 10 degrees (unfortunately that means to 90 + degrees this year), soccer and football season begin, schools open, and every weekend from now until December people volunteer to help cleanup their streams and neighborhoods, birdwatch, walk in the woods and slowly observe the trees change colors.

To start the "after Labor Day" season off right, below is a list of some wonderful books, quotes, websites and activities to help prepare and energize us for this time of year.

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington
Publisher - BEN

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1) Labor Day Reading List - Mirage, Refuge, Here If You Need Me, Ivorybill Hunters and Longleaf
2) Inspirational Environmental Quotes
3) Website Resources - Helpful Tips, Photography and Environmental Reports
4) Volunteer Alabama - Opportunities to Help "Cleanup Alabama"

1. Labor Day Reading List - Mirage, Refuge, Here If You Need Me, Ivorybill Hunters and Longleaf

Below are links to books I read and re-read this summer that are timely and inspirational. One book I have yet to read (just ordered it on Amazon) Here if You Need Me: A True Story, is written by Kate Braestrup, the sister of Angel Braestrup, executive director of the Munson Foundation, a foundation that funds many worthwhile environmental projects/programs in Alabama. The reviews have been wonderful (by the way Kate was just named a CNN Hero). Here is the rest of the Labor Day Book List.

Mirage : Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. by Cynthia Barnett

A timely book. I read Mirage in August, right in the middle of the heat wave/drought that was hitting Alabama. Fortunately, for my family and I, we were on vacation enjoying 70+ degree weather in the Pacific Northwest.

Refuge - An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams

Just re-read this book. I was fortunate to meet Terry Tempest Williams more than 10 years ago at a conference in California. A graceful, inspirational woman, Refuge is about nature, cancer, beauty and simple life. A lovely book.

Ivorybill Hunters: The Search for Proof in a Flooded Wilderness by Geoffrey Hill

A fun read, especially if you are a birder in Alabama and interested in "unlocking" the Ivorybill mystery.

Longleaf by Roger Reid - also go to Roger's website here

Geared toward younger readers, Longleaf will "capture" and take your child (and you!) on a journey through Alabama's Conecuh Forest.

2. Inspirational Environmental Quotes and Passages

"Judaism prescribes blessings for ordinary events and blessings for extraordinary ones. The ordinary event, the daily rising of the sun, is greeted with a blessing that evokes a time when the world had just come into being: "We praise God who daily renews the works of creation." When it comes to extraordinary events, there is also a blessing, not well known among modern Jews, that mentions creation. The blessing is to be said 'upon seeing lightning, comets, falling stars, vast deserts, great rivers, high mountains, experiencing a great storm or an earthquake, or seeing a strikingly clear morning after an all night rainstorm." It reads, "We praise you God who provides us with moments reminiscent of creation."
- Nancy Fuchs - Our Share of Night, Our Share of Morning

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The Peace of Wild Things
- A poem by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

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A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled surfaces. We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it. We need a refuge even though we may never need to go there. I may never in my life get to Alaska ... but I am grateful that it's there. We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope; without it the life of the cities would drive all men into crime or drugs or psychoanalysis.
- Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness

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I know a man who is a poet. It is true that he would not know himself by such a title, for he does not write verse; he is a farmer. He is a poet because he knows the joy of creation. A never failing delight is the appearance of living, growing plants in a patch of dirt where, only a few days before, he has placed some dry grains...
- Harold William Rickett, The Green Earth

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3. Website Resources - Helpful Tips, Photography and Environmental Reports

Check out these websites:

Helpful Tips

Wise use of water during the drought:
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/

Save Energy - Save Money
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org
http://www.energystar.gov

Green Building Materials
http://www.greenguide.com

Sustainable Living
http://www.eartheasy.com

Nature Photography
Charles Seifried - http://www.seifriedphoto.com/
Beth Young - http://www.kingfishereditions.com

Environmental Reports
Georgia Tech "Emerging MegaRegions" Study (hit PAM Link to access file)
The Wilderness Society's "U.S. Forest Carbon and Climate Change Report "

4. Volunteer Alabama - Opportunities to Help "Cleanup Alabama

If you are interested in volunteering in a local "cleanup" this fall - below is info about events across Alabama.

Alabama Coastal Cleanup - Join volunteers from across Alabama for the 20th Annual Coastal Cleanup scheduled for September 15th. For details, visit http://www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com

Five Mile Creek Clean Ups - There will be cleanup events held along Five Mile Creek near Birmingham on Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. Contact Francesca Gross at fgross@rpcgb.org or call 205-264-8464.

Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers - Alabama Powers Renew Our Rivers campaign has helped organize volunteers and cleanup more than 7.5 million pounds from Alabama's lakes and stream since 2000. Check out their Fall 2007 schedule for dates, times and contact info.

BEN - August 28, 2007 #290

1) Alabama Experiencing "Exceptional" Drought Conditions
2) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Releases Preliminary 2006 National Recreation Survey
3) State and City of Montgomery Team Up on Biodiesel
4) AWF Governor's Awards Winners & AEC's Award Winners
5) BEN Notes: Nature Conservancy Open Position, New Executive Directors Hired at TNC and AEC, Alabama Clean Corridors Workshop, 8th Annual "Moon Over Three Caves" in Huntsville, "Seems to be...Home Grown Project" (in Mobile), Cahaba River Society's Cahaba By Moonlight, Rivers Alliance 2nd Annual Revival, Mobile BayKeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration, SEC's EcoFest 9

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1. Alabama Experiencing "Exceptional" Drought Conditions - According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, almost the entire state of Alabama, except for the Southwest Coastal corner of the state, is experiencing "extreme" (D3) to "exceptional" (D4) drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Mitigation Center released its report that 74% of the state is at D4, which is the highest level on the drought scale.

The Drought Monitor also reported that most long-term weather stations from Montgomery northward set or tied records for "string of days" above 100 degrees last week. About 15% of the state's water providers have reported that they have implemented some type of water restriction. Many weather stations are still reporting this year as being the driest or second driest year to date precipitation for the period of record.

In response to these conditions, the Alabama Forestry Commission issued a "No Burn Order" for 59 counties, declaring that emergency drought conditions existed in those counties. According to the Commission, 3583 fires have already occurred in 2007, burning 64,800 acres. This is approximately 62% higher loss than our annual average of 40,000. This year's fires have damaged or destroyed 40 homes and 176 other structures. Commission and volunteer fire fighters were able to save 2810 homes and 854 other structures from wildfires by their direct actions.

To learn more about the drought and the "No Burn Order" visit the following websites:

http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
http://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Drought/afc_news_Drought_Emergency_map.htm

2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Releases Preliminary 2006 National Recreation Survey - Earlier this month the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the preliminary findings from the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Study.

Nationally, in 2006, more than 87 million Americans, or 38% of the United States' population age 16 and older hunted, fished or observed wildlife. They spent $120 billion pursuing those activities. Further broken down by category, 30 million people fished and spent $41 billion on their activities, 12.5 million hunted and spent $23 billion, and 71 million observed wildlife and spent a total of $45 billion.

Here are some of the statistics concerning Alabama (Population 16 and older):

Number of Fishing Participants - 808,000
Number of Hunting Participants - 397,000

Number of Wildlife Participants:
Around the Home Participants - 989,000
Away from Home Participants - 458,000

Expenditures Where Spending Took Place:
Fishing - $734,556,000
Hunting - $654,845,000
Wildlife Watching - $441,677,000

Percentage of Participants in Wildlife (16 years and older)
Percent Total Participants in Alabama - 40%
Percent of Sportspersons in Alabama - 20%
Percent of Wildlife Watchers in Alabama - 28%

To view the entire preliminary study visit, http://federalaid.fws.gov/surveys/surveys.html

3. State and City of Montgomery Team Up on Biodiesel - Last week, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright and State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks announced the creation of a new innovative city-state partnership using biodiesel in 475 city of Montgomery vehicles that operate on diesel. Montgomery hopes to save about $100,000 a year by using biodiesel made from cooking oil from KFC restaurants. Using a mix called B20, the mix for the fuel is 80% diesel and 20% cooking oil. The operation expects to make about 100 gallons of biodiesel daily.

Along with being an inexpensive fuel source, the new program also addresses another major problem - the need to repair, clear and replace sewer lines because they have been clogged by cooking oil being poured down drains.

4. AWF Governor's Awards Winners & AEC's Award Winners - This month, the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) and the Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) held their Annual Meetings. At each meeting, these venerable and prominent statewide conservation (AWF was founded in 1935, while the AEC was founded in 1967 as the Alabama Conservancy) groups honored individuals and organizations for their dedication to Alabama's environment. Here is a listing of the award winners.

Alabama Wildlife Federation's 2007 Governor's Conservation Award Recipients

- Legislative Conservationist of the Year - Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, House Speaker Rep. Seth Hammett, Sen. Hinton Mitchum, Sen. Kim Benefield, Sen. Jimmy Holley, Sen. J.T. Waggoner, Rep. Thomas Jackson, Rep. John Robinson, Rep. Barry Mask
- Wildlife Conservationist of the Year - Mark Bailey
- Conservationist of the Year - The Isabel & Wiley Hill Family
- Air Conservationist of the Year - Jenkins Brick Company
- Conservation Organization of the Year - Alabama River Clean Water Partnership
- Water Conservationist of the Year - Doug Fears

Alabama Environmental Council 2007 Awards

- Conservation Organization of the Year - Black Warrior Riverkeeper
- Malcolm Stewart Award - Conservation Service by a Volunteer - Joseph Lang, Fresh Air Family
- Blanche Dean Award - Outstanding Nature Educator - Marty Schulman, Ruffner Mountain
- Mary Burks Legacy Award - Jenny Dorgan
- Bob and Mary Burks Award - Outstanding Board Member - Ouida Fritschi

5. BEN Notes: Nature Conservancy Open Position, New Executive Directors Hired at TNC and AEC, Alabama Clean Corridors Workshop, 8th Annual "Moon Over Three Caves" in Huntsville, "Seems to be...Home Grown Project" (in Mobile), Cahaba River Society's Cahaba By Moonlight, Rivers Alliance 2nd Annual Revival, Mobile BayKeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration, SEC's EcoFest 9

Nature Conservancy Open Position - The Nature Conservancy of Alabama is seeking a Conservation Director. To learn about this position visit http://www.nature.org/careers/dynamic/jobs.html (go to the Birmingham, Alabama listing)

New Executive Directors Hired at TNC and AEC - Recently, The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and the Alabama Environmental Council each hired new Executive Directors to lead their organizations.

Last month, The Nature Conservancy hired their conservation director, Chris Oberholster, to take the helm of the Nature Conservancy, Alabama's largest land trust organization. A couple of weeks later, this month, the Alabama Environmental Council, after a national search, hired Michael Churchman to lead the Council. To learn more about these two environmental leaders go to -

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/alabama/press/press3069.html
http://www.aeconline.ws/index.php?sn=392

Alabama Clean Corridors Workshop - The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition will be holding a series of "Alabama Clean Corridor" workshops throughout Alabama from September 11-14. If you care about clean fuel sources and clean air these workshops are for you. For details and registration info, visit http://www.AlabamaCleanCorridors.com or call 205-402-2755.

8th Annual "Moon Over Three Caves" in Huntsville - Come join the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama for their 8th Annual "Moon Over Three Caves" event. One of Huntsville's largest and "coolest" fundraising events, proceeds raised from ticket sales and the silent auction benefit the Land Trust. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling 256-534-5263. For additional details, visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org/calendar_of_events.htm

"Seems to be...Home Grown Project" (in Mobile) - A group of Mobile fashion designers are hosting a fashion show and silent auction on Sunday, September 16th at 4:30pm at Cafe 615 in Mobile. Proceeds will benefit Mobile Baykeeper and Penelope House. Tickets are $12 and seating is limited by reservation only. For more info, contact Sarah Bohnenstiehl at 334-332-7417.

Cahaba River Society's Cahaba By Moonlight - "Cahaba By Moonlight," an event benefiting the Cahaba River Society, will be held on September 20th at 6:00 at the Carraway-Davie House and Conference Center in Birmingham. Enjoy an elegant dinner, jazz music and a live and silent auction on the historic grounds of the Carraway-Davie House. The event is open to the public. General admission is $100 per person. For additional details, visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org or call 205-32-CLEAN to make a reservation.

Rivers Alliance 2nd Annual Revival - The Friends of the Locust Fork River will be hosting the 2nd Annual River Revival, a river bluegrass festival benefiting the Alabama River Alliance, Sunday, September 30th, 1-6 pm. at King's Bend on the banks of the Locust Fork River in Cleveland, Alabama. For details, visit http://www.alabamarivers.org or call 205-322-6395.

Mobile BayKeeper 10th Anniversary Celebration - Mobile Baykeeper will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary on October 4th, 6-8 pm at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway. The keynote speaker for the event will be Steve Fleischli, President of Waterkeeper Alliance. Entertainment will be provided by the local bluegrass band, Delta Reign, featuring Kenji Bunch, Composer in Residence with the Mobile Symphony. Food, beer and wine will also be served. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling Mobile Baykeeper at 251-433-4229. You can also visit http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org for additional details.

SEC's EcoFest 9 - Mark your calendar - The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham-Southern College will holding their EcoFest 9, Thursday, October 11, 6-9pm at WORKPLAY in Birmingham. This year's gourmet food will be provided by Gray Bynum of Culinard & Chris Dupont of Cafe Dupont. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling the SEC at 205-226-4934.

BEN - July 25, 2007 #288

1) Nature Conservancy to Expand Lands in Jackson County
2) Alabama Lands National Landowner Incentive Grant for Endangered Species
3) Montgomery Establishes "No Net Loss" Tree Policy
4) Sierra Club Exposes "Toxic Katrina Trailers" in Alabama and the Gulf States
5) BEN Notes: NWF Position, Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Seeking Organizer, Save the Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, West Blocton Elementary School Honored, Forestry Commission's New Publications, Holt Lake Cleanup, NWF's Climate Classroom, Alabama Power "Plant a Tree" Grants

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Leaving a Legacy

She is leaving behind a beautiful legacy.

My good friend Jane Reed Ross, founder of Ross Land Design in Birmingham will be leaving Alabama in August to join her husband and family in Australia. A tireless environmental advocate, Jane's enthusiasm for her work and her innovative designs have touched and enriched many of our lives in the Birmingham area. Beautiful, gentle, graceful and livable open spaces and landscapes are the words that best describe her work. Some of her projects include - The Homewood Central Park, Homewood Shades Creek Greenway, Veteran's Memorial Park, the Birmingham Zoo, Regional Greenway Trail Designs and Master Tree Plans for municipalities.

More importantly, her firm, Ross Land Design will remain here in Birmingham through her business partner Lea Ann Macknally. What a wonderful gift to our community.

Thank you Jane for touching our lives.

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The Changing South

Check out the Wilderness Society's "Housing Sprawl in the Southeast - Our Vanishing Wild Places".

http://www.tws.org/OurIssues/EasternForests/SprawlSE.cfm

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Florida is Tackling Climate Change - Will Alabama?

Governor Charlie Crist, the Republican Governor of Florida, last week announced a series of policy initiatives and executive orders tackling head-on the issue of Global Climate Change. Some of Florida's initiatives include:

* Florida will immediately adopt rules to compel utilities to limit pollution causing emissions to 2000 levels by 2017, to 1990 levels by 2025.

* Most state agencies and departments will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster than the rest of the state.

* Orders for the adoption of California's motor vehicle emission standards.

* The Public Service Commission will be asked to require electric companies to produce at least 20 % of their electriciy from renewable sources, with a strong focus on wind and solar energy.

To read the entire list, visit:

http://www.miamiherald.com/1060/story/170411.html or visit http://www.myfloridaclimate.com

In Alabama, the question that needs to be proposed to our state government - Will Alabama follow Florida's lead?

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1. Nature Conservancy to Expand Lands in Jackson County - Last month, according to the Huntsville Times, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Alabama announced plans to more than double the size of its scenic Sharp-Bingham Mountains Preserve in Jackson County.

Lynne Berry, the Conservancy's local spokesperson said that the organization plans to use a $1.5 million grant from the Minnesota-based 3M Foundation to buy 1,120 acres next to the existing preserve. Located in the Paint Rock watershed, TNC scientists have long considered this area in Northeast Alabama as one of North America's most pristine and biologically diverse watersheds. The Sharp -Bingham Preserve may also have more caves per square mile than any other spot in America, according to Berry.

For additional information about this successful project, contact The Nature Conservancy at 205-251-1155.

2. Alabama Lands National Landowner Incentive Grant for Endangered Species - Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the recipients of $13 Million in the Landowner Incentive Program grants nationwide. The program supports cooperative efforts with private landowners interested in conserving natural habitat for species at risk, including federally listed endangered and threatened species.

Alabama's state fish and wildlife agency was one of 17 nationally to secure this competitive grant. The Alabama Department of Conservation will receive $849,510 to expand the landowner incentive program to address statewide issues. The program will focus on Longleaf Pine ecosystem restoration and stream restoration in the Cahaba, Choctawhatchee and Coosa river basins.

3. Montgomery Establishes "No Net Loss" Tree Policy - The city of Montgomery has established a new "No Net Loss Tree Policy" program to replace trees in the community.

Last year, with the help of volunteers, the city planted over 1000 native trees. Volunteers have maintained their efforts by watering weekly many of the new trees during the recent drought. Despite losing approximately 10% of the newly planted trees due to this summer's drought, the city has committed to replace them in the fall with a fresh planting effort.

4. Sierra Club Exposes "Toxic Katrina Trailers" in Alabama and the Gulf States - Here is an emerging issue from the Sierra Club. After hearing from a number of FEMA /Katrina trailer residents experiencing health problems consistent with high levels of formaldehyde exposure, the Sierra Club began testing trailers in the Spring of 2006.

The first formaldehyde exposure tests of trailers were for residents along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. After a stunning 94% of the 31 tests came in higher than the OSHA recommended limit, Sierra Club did additional testing in Alabama and Louisiana in June and July of 2006. Out of a total of 52 tests, 83% of the trailers were above the OSHA specified limit of 0.10 parts per million. Of the remaining trailers, 4% were at the limit. Only 13% were below the limit of 0.10. The Sierra Club found formaldehyde concentrations as high as 0.34 parts per million in one trailer - a level nearly equal to what a professional embalmer using industry proscribed safety equipment would be exposed to on the job.

An estimated 150,000 FEMA trailers were distributed in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas following the hurricanes of 2005. About 66,000 households affected by Katrina remain in trailers today. Earlier this month, Rep. Henry Waxman's House committee on oversight and government reform held a hearing on this important issue.

5. BEN Notes: NWF Position, Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Seeking Organizer, Save the Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, West Blocton Elementary School Honored, Forestry Commission's New Publications, Holt Lake Cleanup, NWF's Climate Classroom, Alabama Power "Plant a Tree" Grants

NWF Position - The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a Regional Outreach Coordinator for their Southeast Office in Atlanta. To learn more about this position and how to apply, go to http://www.nwf.org/careergateway

Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Seeking Organizer - The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), a coalition of organizations and individual grassroots partners, working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing, is seeking a Lower Mississippi Regional Organizer. TRCP's policy initiatives fall into 3 categories: Expanding public access to hunting and fishing; conserving and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat; and increasing funding for fish and wildlife management. The organizer will mobilize efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This is a contract position. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: Tom St. Hilaire, Vice President of Conservation Management, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership - tomst@trcp.org

Save the Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle - According to Dr. David Nelson at the University of South Alabama, up to 444 Alabama red-bellied turtles were reported killed on Alabama highways between 2001-2006. Learn how you can help protect and save the Alabama red-bellied turtle, the "Official State Reptile of Alabama" by visiting the Save the Red Belly website at http://www.savetheredbelly.org

West Blocton Elementary School Honored - Here is some good news - Students at the West Blocton (Bibb County) Elementary School landed top honors in a global contest that challenges students to create innovative websites. The group of 4th graders formed a team that developed the website around the importance of keeping the Cahaba River clean. Check out their award winning website at:
http://www.bibbed.org/wbes/CSI/index.html

Forestry Commission's New Publications - The Alabama Forestry Commission has released two new publications on their website http://www.forestry.alabama.gov . The first publication is an updated version of the Commission's 31 page Best Management Practices guide. The other publication is a copy of the Forest Industries Directory.

Holt Lake Cleanup - The Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership will be hosting the 3rd Annual Renew Our Rivers Holt Lake Cleanup. The event is scheduled for August 18th, 8:00 AM at Rocky Branch Park in Peterson (just off Alabama Highway 216). For additional information about the project and how to volunteer, call Mark Meadors 205-553-9373 or Kellie Johnston 205-264-8461.

NWF's Climate Classroom - Please check out the National Wildlife Federation's new website that helps parents and teachers talk to children about global warming. It is a great new site. http://www.ClimateClassroom.org

Alabama Power "Plant a Tree" Grants - Alabama Power and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association is teaming up again to offer grants to needy communities seeking funds to support tree planting efforts. The deadline for this grant program is August 31st. To apply, visit http://www.aufa.com

BEN - July 6, 2007 #287

1) AEMC Rejects Cancer Risk Proposal ... Orders More Study
2) New Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Plan Approved
3) TVA Approves Green Power Plan in Huntsville
4) "The Hooked on the Alabama River" Clean Water Partnership Project
5) BEN Notes: Southwings Position, Baldwin County Trailblazers Seeking Executive Director, NWF Seeking Regional Representative, EPA Power Profiler, EPA - Climate Change "What you can do", Photographer Beth Young & the SEC on WBHM's Tapestry, Alabama's Boll Organic Dress Shirts

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Check out the latest interactive maps from the Wilderness Society
Housing Density from 1940 to 2030
http://www.tws.org/OurIssues/EasternForests/SprawlSE.cfm

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1. AEMC Rejects Cancer Risk Proposal ... Orders More Study - On June 29th the Alabama Environmental Management Commission unanimously rejected a petition proposed by 18 organizations to decrease cancer causing chemicals discharged into the state's river, streams and lakes.

The Petitioners' petition asked the Commission to upgrade Alabama's environmental regulations to a more protective of health cancer risk standard (from 1 cancer to every 100,000 to 1 cancer for every million), joining 28 other states, including neighbors Mississippi, Florida and Georgia who have adopted and implemented the more health protective standard.

After the Commission's denial of the petition, the Commission asked ADEM's director Trey Glenn to appoint a committee to study and address the issue. Glenn identified five state agencies including Medicaid, Department of Conservation, Department of Agriculture, the Alabama Development Office and Department of Public Health to serve on the committee. The director also announced his intention to invite 12 industry groups or companies to report to the committee the financial impact of changing the rule. The Commission then decided that commissioners suggest members for the water quality committee and asked for the group's work to be completed by the end of the year.

In response to the use of economic factors to determine water quality standards, the attorney for the petitioners, David Ludder, stated that the commission under state and federal laws cannot consider the economics of changing the water quality standard. It may only report the economic impact to a state legislative committee, he said.

After the meeting, Commissioner Dr. Laurel Gardner, in the Birmingham News provided a glimmer of hope to advocates wanting to strengthen Alabama's water quality standard, stating, "The petition has been denied. It has not been killed. It still is very much alive."

Below are links to a video of the Commission meeting, the petition, comments and responses, and the reaction from the editorial pages of several state newspapers.

Video of the Commission Meeting
The petition,comments and articles/editorials

2. New Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Plan Approved - According to the Mobile Register, last month the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved a plan to protect red snapper, one of the Gulf's most popular catches.

The plan includes reducing the recreational catch limit from four fish to two per person, and sets a limit for all commercial boats at 5 million pounds for the year instead of 9.1 million as in past years. The 2 fish recreational catch limit rule had been temporarily in place over the past year, while the commercial catch had been placed at 6.5 million pounds before the current season. Along with the new more restrictive rule on commercial fishing, shrimpers must cut the amount of red snapper that come up in their nets as part of the "bycatch" - by 74% from the average for the 2001-2003 seasons.

Red snapper was declared "overfished" in 1997.

3. TVA Approves Green Power Plan in Huntsville - Last month, according to the Huntsville Times, Huntsville Utilities (HU) was given the go ahead to develop a Green Power Program that would allow customers to sell solar generated electricity to the TVA power grid.

Participants must sign a 10 year agreement to supply the supplemental energy. Meanwhile, the utility company will pay 15 cents per kilowatt hour. Today, residential customers pay on average 7 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity coming into a home. Presently, only one HU customer has expressed interest in the program, but the utility expects more interest once the marketing of the program begins in August.

4. "The Hooked on the Alabama River" Clean Water Partnership Project - Remember several years ago, the fiberglass cow sculptures that were painted and placed in front of businesses around the city of Chicago? Well, the cities of Montgomery and Prattville have one upped Chicago.

They will be placing 6 foot long "fishing lures" throughout the region in celebration of the Alabama River.

Developed by the Alabama River Clean Water Partnership, the "The Hooked on the Alabama River " project works like this: First 30 fiberglass fishing lures will be decorated by local artists and sponsored by area organizations. Each lure will be unique and will attract people to the importance of the Alabama River for our region and to the business that sponsors it. Tackle boxes (or groupings) of 2-3 lures will be on display throughout Montgomery and Prattville after the initial unveiling, which is scheduled for September 15th in downtown Montgomery along the banks of the Alabama River.

Several businesses and organizations have joined forces to make this exciting project happen, including the Alabama Power Foundation, who funded the fiberglass bases and artists supplies and groups such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Mid-South Resource Conservation Development Council, Alabama Forestry Association, International Paper, CH2M Hill and LWT Marketing. To learn more about the "Giant Fishing Lures" contact Ashley Henderson, with Alabama River Clean Water Partnership at 334-300-3392 or ahendersonCWP@charter.net . You can also visit their website at http://www.hookedontheAlabamaRiver.com .

5. BEN Notes: Southwings Position, Baldwin County Trailblazers Seeking Executive Director, NWF Seeking Regional Representative, EPA Power Profiler, EPA - Climate Change "What you can do", Photographer Beth Young & the SEC on WBHM's Tapestry, Alabama's Boll Organic Dress Shirts

Southwings Position - Southwings, "The Environmental Air Force," is a nonprofit conservation organization based in Asheville, NC. Currently, they are seeking an Administrative and Fundraising Associate. If you are interested - email taylor@southwings.org to request a detailed job description.

Baldwin County Trailblazers Seeking Executive Director - The Baldwin County Trailblazers, a group whose mission it is to establish a network of county wide biking, jogging and hiking trails, is seeking an Executive Director. To apply, email resumes to tlr099@bellsouth.net

NWF Seeking Regional Representative - The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a regional representative to be based in their Southeastern Natural Resource Center in Atlanta. To apply online, visit http://www.nwf.org/careergateway/

EPA Power Profiler - With a few clicks on your mouse, you can see how your energy use is affecting the Earth through the new "EPA Power Profiler" calculator. Some of the results may surprise you. Check it out at http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html

EPA - Climate Change "What you can do" - After you use your EPA Power Profiler Calculator, visit EPA's Climate Change - "What you can do" website. The site provides 25 easy action steps everyone can take. Go to - http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html

Photographer Beth Young & the SEC on WBHM's Tapestry - Check out this week WBHM's "Tapestry" radio program featuring Nature photographer - Beth Young and the Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College. You can listen to the programs at: http://www.wbhm.org/Tapestry/index.html

Alabama's Boll Organic Dress Shirts - Check out an Alabama business that is pioneering the organic cotton dress shirt industry. Started two years ago by Kevin Russell "Boll Organic" remains the only company in the world making organic dress shirts. Visit their website at http://www.bollorganic.com

B'ham News - Preserve God's Tapestry in Alabama

My latest Commentary in the Birmingham News

We must preserve God's vibrant tapestry in this state

Sunday, June 10, 2007

To look around at the richness of Alabama's diversity of plants and animals is to be struck by the awesome responsibility of preserving God's vibrant tapestry in this state.

That's not an idle concern for Bishop Heron Johnson, pastor of the Faith Apostolic Church in Powderly, concerning the endangered watercress darter: "I think, if you have something this valuable and God-given, something this special, you've got to protect it. But where to begin?"

The rare and colorful two-inch watercress darter was found in a local Jefferson County spring that originates on the property of Bishop Johnson's church.

Johnson doesn't ask why we should care about a fish no bigger than an index finger, but rather where we begin the process of ensuring its survival. Alabama is blessed with more different kinds of fish, turtles, crayfish, snails and mussels than any other state in the United States. Our biodiversity is what makes this place special. Protection of these gifts is a difficult and challenging responsibility. But we must find a place to begin.

Perhaps we should begin by taking the lead from the many people who have dedicated their lives to preserving the watercress darter.

Recently, I was treated to a fascinating story by Mike Howell, the retired fish biologist who discovered the watercress darter and a beloved teacher from Samford University. He told of how a generation of Alabamians took responsibility for one of the state's tiniest citizens, and saved it.

His tale began more than 43 years ago when he was a graduate student at the University of Alabama under Herb Boschung, a scientist many consider the father of fish biology in this state.

In 1964, scientists from Tulane University had found a new species of salamander in Jefferson County springs near Bessemer. Following up on the new discovery, Howell and a fellow graduate student Dale Caldwell were asked by Boschung to venture into the same place the salamanders were found, but this time they were dipping their nets to find fish.

You can only imagine the breathtaking excitement and wonder that the two graduate students felt when their dip nets revealed a species never before seen or described in science - the watercress darter. For a fish biologist it must have felt like Columbus on first seeing the New World.

"The world's greatest artists couldn't dream up the (watercress darter's) colors. A visual treat that does something to the spirit - like a beautiful sunset," Howell told me.

Little did Howell know at the time, but his discovery of the rainbow-colored, two-inch darter would have a dramatic impact on his life and the lives of so many others.

After its discovery, Howell spent a couple of years describing, naming and making "known" to science the watercress darter. A specimen of the darter was even sent to the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian. More importantly, after the discovery process was complete, the real work of saving the watercress darter began in earnest.

In 1973, the Endangered Species Act became the law of the land. Shortly after its passage, the watercress darter was listed as endangered, the first fish in Alabama to be so protected. This action led to the creation of a watercress darter recovery team headed by Howell. Their task was simple: to monitor and take care of the darter.

Immediately, the scientists and conservationists worked to enhance the darter's habitat, taking out a small dam. The group also removed predatory bass from the darter's stream. After additional research and exploration, the darter also was discovered in a nearby Bessemer spring fed lake and subsequently in the Roebuck and Powderly areas of Jefferson County.

The watercress darter was even transplanted into springs near Turkey Creek where scientists were fortunate to discover two additional endangered fish, the Vermillion and Rush darters. These three darter species are found only in one place in the world: right here in our region's creeks and streams.

Seven years after the passage of the Endangered Species Act, the watercress darter's habitat was permanently protected when federal conservation funds were made available to preserve approximately 23 acres of watercress darter habitat in Jefferson County. The area was then designated as the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge, the smallest National Wildlife Refuge in the nation.

Today, local groups and communities have become guardians of the darter. In 2002, the Faith Apostolic Church congregation lovingly embraced the watercress darter as a sacred reminder of God's creation and our responsibility to care for it. They enlisted local friends like the Freshwater Land Trust that developed ways the church can protect the stream, the land, and the fish.

Birmingham Audubon members have for years adopted the Bessemer site, keeping a watchful eye on the refuge, removing litter while enjoying the birds that visit the area. Along with these groups, the Freshwater Land Trust, Samford University, Birmingham-Southern College, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and Alabama's Department of Conservation have joined forces on behalf of the darter.

Asked why he put such an effort into saving this one, tiny creature, Howell replied, "God put us in the most beautiful garden and told us to take care of it. That fish is an extension of the Garden of Eden."

Now, that is a place to begin. Ecologist Pat Byington is a senior associate with the Wilderness Society. E-mail: pkbyington@aol.com.

BEN - June 10, 2007 #286

Bama Environmental News - BEN
http://www.BamaNews.com
June 10, 2007 #286

1) Environmental Commission Committee Denies Cancer Risk Rule
2) Beach Mouse Prevents Construction of Condos On Fort Morgan Peninsula
3) Study: Alabama Ranks 46th in Energy Efficiency
4) BEN Notes: Environmental Council Seeking Director, Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center, JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center, 2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University, Alabama Nature Center to Open, Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000, Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit, Mobile Manatees to be Tracked, Commute Smart in Birmingham

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Please check out today's Birmingham News Sunday Commentary that was written by BEN editor and publisher Pat Byington. You can access the article at the following link.



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Check out the transcript of this recent address given by former President Bill Clinton at Harvard College Class Day 2007. Link to the transcript here -

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1. Environmental Commission Committee Denies Cancer Risk Rule - On June 1st, the Alabama Environmental Management Commission's rulemaking committee voted to deny a petition for rulemaking offered by state environmental groups to lower the threshold for industry discharge of 58 known carcinogens into state waterways.

According to the Montgomery Advertiser, at the proposed lower concentration, scientists estimate there would only be one chance in a million of a human getting cancer from potential exposure. At Alabama's current level - the minimum that the federal government requires - the estimate is 10 people in a million.

Every state in the South (including Alabama's neighbors Mississippi, Florida and Georgia) except for Tennessee and Alabama, presently use the more stringent cancer risk health standard. Written comments in opposition to the more stringent cancer risk health standard were submitted by the Alabama Power Company, the Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Coal Association.

On June 29th, the entire Environmental Management Commission will have an opportunity to accept or reverse the rulemaking committee's decision. For a copy of the proposed petition go to: https://home.comcast.net/~davidaludder/Cancer_Risk_Petition_and_Exhibit_1.pdf

Breaking News - On Friday, the Birmingham News wrote an editorial in support of the proposed more stringent health standard.

2. Beach Mouse Prevents Construction of Condos On Fort Morgan Peninsula - According to a June 1st Mobile Register report, the endangered Alabama beach mouse temporarily stopped the construction of a controversial multi-million dollar condo development on the Fort Morgan peninsula.

Judge William Steele granted the preliminary injunction against the 40 acre Beach Club West development after finding that a critical document from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, known as a "Biological Opinion" likely reached "arbitrary and capricious" conclusions.

The suit which was brought forth by the Sierra Club, the Gulf Restoration Network and the Center for Biological Diversity contented that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately address how development would impact the survival and recovery of the endangered mouse. The Alabama beach mouse, which has been on the Endangered Species list since 1985, has seen its habitat greatly diminish from development and hurricane damage over the years.

3. Study: Alabama Ranks 46th in Energy Efficiency - Last week, the nonpartisan American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released a state by state scorecard grading and ranking states on various policy actions taken to become more energy efficient. Alabama ranked 46th nationally, receiving just two (2) points out of a maximum 44 points. Only Mississippi, North and South Dakota and Wyoming placed lower in energy efficiency.

Among the factors contributing to Alabama's poor ranking: no statewide building energy code, no policy to encourage better fuel economy and no ratepayer-funding to invest in electric energy efficiency programs. The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 2006 can be found at http://www.aceee.org

4. BEN Notes: Environmental Council Seeking Director, Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center, JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center, 2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University, Alabama Nature Center to Open, Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000, Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit, Mobile Manatees to be Tracked, Commute Smart Birmingham

Environmental Council Seeking Director - The Alabama Environmental Council is seeking an executive director. To learn more about the position and how to apply, visit http://www.aeconline.ws The deadline to apply is July 1st.

Teaching Position at Turtle Point Science Center - There is an environmental education teaching position open at the Turtle Point Science Center in Escambia County. To apply, visit http://turtlepoint.org

JSU Breaks Ground on New Little River Canyon Center - Jacksonville State University will be "breaking ground" on the Little River Canyon Center, Monday, June 11th at 9:00 AM. The event will feature architectural renderings, floor plans, three dimensional models, building materials and a construction schedule. The Center will be built as a public facility that is centered on the Little River Canyon National Preserve. For more information about the project, visit http://epic.jsu.edu .

2007 Water Resources Conference at Auburn University - Auburn University will be holding its 2007 Water Resources Conference "Bridging the Gap Between Science, People and Policies" on June 14-15 at The hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. For details visit http://www.nrmdi.auburn.edu/water/conference/2007/

Alabama Nature Center to Open - The Alabama Nature Center in Milbrook will be open to the public 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on June 16 and 17. General admission is $3 per person/per day for ages ten and older, $2 per person/per day ages three to ten, and children under three are free. Please check out this new and exciting nature center at the headquarters of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Visit http://www.alabamawildlife.org for more info.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper MySpace Supporters Reach 10,000 - The Black Warrior Riverkeepers were recently nominated as one of 3 Finalists for the MySpace Impact Award - an award honoring MySpace members for the positive impact they have had on our culture. Presently, more than 10,000 people have become Black Warrior Riverkeeper "My Space Friends." Check out the group's Friends page at http://www.myspace.com/black_warrior_riverkeeper

Black Warrior Riverkeepers Benefit - The Black Warrior Riverkeepers will be holding a benefit concert at The Bottletree in Birmingham on June 14th, at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00. For additional information call Charles Scribner - 205-458-0095.

Mobile Manatees to be Tracked - Scientists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab have created "Mobile Manatees" a group dedicated toward helping track manatee sightings in local waters. For info on how to participate, visit http://manatee.disl.org

Commute Smart in Birmingham - Tired of rising gas prices? Want to do something to reduce your ecological footprint? Contact Commute Smart Birmingham by calling 1-87 - RIDEMATCH or visit http://www.commutesmart.org

BEN - May 1, 2007 #284

In Honor of Dr. Ron Jenkins

1. Carbon Dioxide Levels in Alabama Growing Faster Than National Average
2. Alabama Ranks Last Nationally In Implementing Climate Change Programs
3. Forever Wild Adds Two Additional Tracts
4. Wolf Bay Designated Outstanding Alabama Water Use Classification
5. BEN Notes: Nature Conservancy Executive Director Position, MAWASS Grease Recycling Program, Spring Concert at Three Caves, Cocktails with the Critters, Alabama Coastal Foundation's Crawfish Craze, River Action Day, Cahaba Lily Festival in West Blocton, Cahaba River Society's Ramble

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In Honor of Dr. Ron Jenkins

Dear Readers:

A week and a half ago I was fortunate to attend a reception and dinner at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens honoring Dr. E.O. Wilson, an Alabamian who is considered one of the world's most prominent scientists. Sitting at the head table and introducing Dr. Wilson at the dinner and the conference the following day at Samford University was Dr. Ron Jenkins. How appropriate I thought.... a "spider guy" (Ron published with Dr. Mike Howell the book Spiders of the Eastern United States) sitting with the "ant guy" (Wilson was famous for his work and study of ants). What a wonderful sight - two scientists who teach us the world through God's smallest creatures.

Ron passed away last Friday of cancer, only a week, exactly seven days after seeing Wilson and him together. He was a scientist, teacher, a passionate environmental advocate and friend. We will all miss him dearly.

At his memorial last night, we sang with a loud voice and heavy heart a beautiful hymn called God of the Sparrow, a hymn Ron particularly asked to be played that evening, the night of his memorial, with passion and a lifting spirit. In honor, memory and celebration of Ron today, below are the lovely words to that hymn.

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington
Publisher, BEN

God of the Sparrow by Roeder

God of the sparrow
God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise

God of the earthquake
God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save

God of the rainbow
God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks

God of the hungry
God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life

God of the neighbor
God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace

God of the ages
God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home

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1. Carbon Dioxide Levels in Alabama Growing Faster Than National Average - Last week, a new study released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) concluded that carbon dioxide emissions in Alabama have been growing far faster than the national average.

According to a Mobile Register April 17th article on the release of the study, from 1990 to 2004, releases of carbon dioxide - which has been linked to global warming - rose 29 percent in Alabama to about 141 million metric tons. Nationally, discharges rose 18 percent during that same period. Per capita, Alabama ranks 9th nationally for carbon dioxide emissions. The USPIRG report is based on federal data.

Since 1990, power generation in Alabama has increased more than 60 percent according to Alabama Power spokesman Michael Sznajderman. Alabama's primary source of power generation, coal-fired power plants, contributed two-thirds of the increase in emissions, while much of the rest came from cars and trucks.

To view the USPIRG report go to: http://www.uspirg.org/home/reports/report-archives/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/the-carbon-boom-state-and-national-trends-in-carbon-dioxide-emissions-since-1990

2. Alabama Ranks Last Nationally In Implementing Climate Change Programs - According to a recent Pew Center on Global Climate Change ranking, Alabama ranks last with four other states in the implementation of climate change initiatives and programs. Presently, only four of 20 possible climate change initiatives have been taken by the state, including a climate change policy model and plan that was completed more than 10 years ago at the University of Alabama.

Other southeastern states, including North Carolina and South Carolina have recently launched climate change policy panels to address the environmental and economic impact of climate change. To view the entire Pew Report go to: http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/
state_action_maps.cfm

3. Forever Wild Adds Two Additional Tracts - Recently, two tracts of ecologically significant and sensitive property have been purchased by Alabama's Forever Wild Program.

The first tract in Mobile County is 1,642 acres in the Grand Bay Savannah, adjacent to existing Forever Wild lands. Forever Wild land in the area now totals 5000 acres. According to Greg Lein of the State Lands Division, "Its a pine savannah with the largest pitcher plant bog complex in the state of Alabama. The Grand Bay Savannah is a very popular area for the Coastal Birding Trail."

The second tract recently purchased was 9304 acres in Baldwin County currently in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area, an 18,000 acre tract with 15 miles of frontage on the Perdido River. The land, which is home to the gopher tortoise and the indigo snake will be converted to its native longleaf pine habitat. The purchase of the Perdido River tract was made possible by the Nature Conservancy which held the land until Forever Wild could purchase it.

4. Wolf Bay Designated Outstanding Alabama Water Use Classification - On April 20, the Alabama Environmental Management voted unanimously to add the use classification "Outstanding Alabama Water" (OAW) to Wolf Bay, from the Intracoastal Waterway to Moccasin Bayou in Baldwin County.

A more stringent and protective use classification, the new OAW designation was made possible because of the tireless efforts of a local watershed group, Wolf Bay Watch and ADEM staff who performed the necessary work to meet OAW requirements. In Alabama, other "Outstanding Alabama Waters" include approximately 173 miles of sections of the Cahaba and Little Cahaba Rivers, 75 miles of portions of Hatchet Creek; and 42 miles of segments of the Tensaw River.

5. BEN Notes: Nature Conservancy Executive Director Position, MAWASS Grease Recycling Program, Spring Concert at Three Caves, Cocktails with the Critters, Alabama Coastal Foundation's Crawfish Craze, River Action Day, Cahaba River Society's Ramble, Cahaba Lily Festival in West Blocton

Nature Conservancy Executive Director Position - The Alabama Chapter of the Nature Conservancy is seeking an Executive Director. To learn more about this position go to: The application deadline is May 30, 2007.

MAWASS Grease Recycling Program - The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System has expanded their grease recycling program. Since the program's inception, more than 8000 people have picked up recycling containers resulting in over 1700 gallons of grease being collected. To take advantage of the "It's Easy to be Ungreasy" recycling program, visit http://www.itseasytobeungreasy.com or call 251-694-3100.

Spring Concert at Three Caves - Dualtone recording artist, RobinElla and the CCstringband will headline the 2nd Annual Spring Concert at historic Three Caves (in Huntsville) on Thursday, May 3rd, 6:00pm. The concert highlights The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at 256-534-5263. Please RSVP today.

Cocktails with the Critters - National Geographic's Photographer in Residence, David Doubilet will be the guest of honor at "Cocktails for Critters." The event will be held at the Five Rivers Alabama's Delta Resource Center on May 3rd from 6:30 until 9:30, and will benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation. Tickets are $75. For additional info call 251-861-8710.

Alabama Coastal Foundation's Crawfish Craze - Join the Alabama Coastal Foundation for the 5th Annual Crawfish Craze, to be held May 10th, 6:00 pm at the 5 Rivers Delta Center on the Causeway. To order tickets visit, http://www.joinacf.org or call 251-990-6002.

River Action Day - Join the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Conservation Alabama and the Southern Environmental Law Center for "River Action Day" in Montgomery on May 15th. Learn how you can attend and advocate for the Alabama Water Agenda by visiting : http://www.AlabamaWaterAgenda.com

Cahaba River Society Ramble - The Cahaba River Society will be holding its 2nd Annual Cahaba River Ramble Trail Run and "C the River " Conservation and Education event on May 19th at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The event will benefit the Shane Hulsey, CLEAN Field Environmental Education Program. For details visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org or call 205-32-CLEAN.

Cahaba Lily Festival in West Blocton - Come celebrate Alabama's most famous lily at the Cahaba Lily Festival on May 26, at the Cahaba Lily Center on Main Street in West Blocton. To access the full day long activity schedule, go to http://www.cahabariversociety.org

BEN: April 19, 2007 #283

1) Fort McClellan Receives $152 Million Cleanup Pledge
2) Alabama Universities and Colleges Making Environmental Commitments
3) Jenkins Brick's New Facility Wins EPA Award for Innovation
4) Help Wanted: Three Alabama Non-Profit Environmental Job Openings
5) BEN Notes: Bham News Alabama Sturgeon Slideshow, SAFC "Into the Woods", ALEEC E.O Wilson, Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County, 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival, Earth Day at the Gardens, Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade, Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup, Wolf Bay Spring Cleanup, Spring Concert at Three Caves, Cocktails with the Critters, Great Southeast Hiking Festival

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In lieu of subscriptions to the Bama Environmental News, we ask readers to consider making a donation to a chosen BEN Charity. To check out the BEN Donation page, visit :

www.Bamanews.com

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1. Fort McClellan Receives $152 Million Cleanup Pledge - Thanks to a recent pledge of $152 million by the Department of Defense, the former Fort McClellan site near Anniston, Alabama will become the site for one of the largest environmental cleanup initiatives in state history.

"This amount of funding for the clean up of a former military base is simply unprecedented," said Pete Conroy, Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board member and director of JSU's Environmental Policy and Information Center. The money will go toward treating polluted groundwater, cleaning up unexploded ordnance, capping landfills and neutralizing other problems created at McClellan because of its history as an Army base.

A map recently developed by the JPA shows that there are currently 1200 developable acres at the 20,000 acre former base. The cleanup of potentially dangerous unexploded munitions is likely to take 10 years, followed by another decade of monitoring. The funding may clean enough land to provide up to 8000 acres of safe and developable acres in ten years. Through an earlier partnership between the JPA and the departments of Defense and Interior, the establishment of the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge has already protected 9200 acres at McClellan for wildlife and conservation.

The JPA's announcement is the result of long-term negotiations with the military for McClellan's continued redevelopment. JPA board members credited Alabama's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. for helping with the negotiations.

2. Alabama Universities and Colleges Making Environmental Commitments - Earlier this month, Presidents at Jacksonville State University (JSU) and Birmingham Southern College (BSC) made two major environmental announcements and commitments.

At JSU, the Board of Trustees set into motion the construction of the Little River Canyon Center for Dekalb County. Located near Fort Payne, bordering Little River Canyon on Highway 35, the 26,000 square foot environmental center will include public spaces for meetings, classrooms, a library, museum and National Park Service offices. A key feature of the center will be its commitment to LEED certification. Known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED projects have become commonplace in other parts of the nation as a way to be more sustainable through utility savings and environmental sensitivity.

JSU President Bill Meehan stated in a recent press release, "It makes sense! I challenge other universities to explore LEED certification because if we all did it, we would make a real impact conserving our financial resources and protecting our natural resources."

Also making a major environmental commitment this was Birmingham Southern President David Pollick. In an effort to combat climate change, Dr. Pollick signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment as a charter signatory to the pledge to become climate neutral, making BSC the first institution of higher education in the state to join the effort. Organizers of the initiative seek the commitment of 200 college and university presidents by June 2007.

3. Jenkins Brick's New Facility Wins EPA Award for Innovation - Jenkins Brick's Jordan Plant in St. Clair County, Alabama was recently awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency the EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Project of the Year.

Along with building a plant that has the capacity to produce 136 million bricks a year, Jenkins tapped into a nearby landfill to use methane as an energy source in the production of their project. The plant, which was constructed by Brasfield Gorrie receives about 50% of their gas usage from the landfill. By capturing and using the methane gas from the landfill, Jenkins is reducing the equivalent energy to power 13,700 cars per year or 166,000 barrels of per year.

4. Help Wanted: Three Alabama Non-Profit Environmental Job Openings - Presently, three of Alabama's leading environmental organizations have job openings. They are:

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center - Ruffner Mountain is seeking an Administrative Assistant. Details on how to apply can be found at http://www.ruffnermountain.org . The deadline to apply is May 1st.

Alabama Environmental Council - The Council is seeking an Executive Director. The job description can be found at http://www.aeconline.ws The deadline for applications is May 11th.

Alabama Rivers Alliance - ARA is seeking a Watershed Leadership Coordinator. The job description can be found at http://www.alabamarivers.org . The closing date for the position is June 1st.

5. BEN Notes: Bham News Alabama Sturgeon Slideshow, SAFC "Into the Woods", ALEEC E.O Wilson, Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County, 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival, Earth Day at the Gardens, Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade, Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup, Friends of Hurricane Creek Chili Cook-Off, Spring Concert at Three Caves, Cocktails with the Critters, Great Southeast Hiking Festival

Bham News Alabama Sturgeon Slideshow - A few weeks ago, an Alabama Sturgeon was captured in South Alabama. This Birmingham News has written and produced some extraordinary stories about this fish, which is the most rare fish in North America. Check out the Birmingham News photos at http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/photos/ - Look for the April 5th Slideshow.

SAFC "Into the Woods" - If you know anyone in Asheville, North Carolina, encourage them to attend the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition's annual fundraiser called "Into the Woods" on Friday, April 21st. For details, go to http://www.safc.org

Auburn University Earth Week - Auburn University's Sustainability Initiative will be holding events throughout the campus from April 15 to April 21. For information about the week-long celebration visit http://earthday.auburn.edu

ALEEC E.O Wilson - On April 21, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Samford University's Leslie Stephens Wright Center, the Alabama Environmental Education Consortium will be hosting E.O. Wilson and a number of speakers, including Sally Bingham from the Interfaith Power and Light Program. Contact Ginny Brown at 205-726-4246 for additional information.

Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County - Jefferson County will be holding their annual Household Hazardous Waste Day on April 21, 8:00 AM to Noon at Regions Park Stadium, the Center Point Court House, Bessemer Civic Center and the Alabama Fairgrounds. For additional info contact Sissy Mitchell at 444-7543.

17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day - The 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, now "Earth Fest" is scheduled for April 21, 10-5 at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway. Check out the Earth Fest website at http://www.5riversearthfest.org for details.

3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival - Don't miss the 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival on April 21, 10-3 at Historic McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. For event details, visit or call 256-782-5681.

Earth Day at the Gardens - The 10th Anniversary of Earth Day at the Gardens will be held Sunday, April 22, 1-5 PM at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For details call Anna Sizemore at 205-414-3965 or visit http://www.bbgardens.org

Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade - Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade will be held Monday, April 23, at Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To participate, call 205-879-3009 or visit http://www.auntielitter.org

Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup - Help cleanup Five Mile Creek by participating in the 4th Annual Five Mile Greenway Cleanup on April 28. at 8:00 AM near Fultondale. For volunteer information contact Francesca Gross at 205-264-8464 or Michael Sznajderman, Alabama Power Service Organization at 205-257-4155.

Hurricane Creek Chili Cookoff - Help cleanup Hurricane Creek near Tuscaloosa, and secure yourself some fine chili at the 13th Annual Hurricane Creek Cleanup and Cookoff on April 28th, starting at 9:00. For further details go to http://www.hurricanecreek.org

Spring Concert at Three Caves - Dualtone recording artist, RobinElla and the CCstringband will headline the 2nd Annual Spring Concert at historic Three Caves (in Huntsville) on Thursday, May 3rd, 6:00pm. The concert highlights The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at 256-534-5263. Please RSVP by April 30th.

Cocktails with the Critters - National Geographic's Photographer in Residence, David Doubilet will be the guest of honor at "Cocktails for Critters." The event will be held at the Five Rivers Alabama's Delta Resource Center on May 3rd from 6:30 until 9:30, and will benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation. Tickets are $75. For additional info call 251-861-8710.

Great Southeastern Hiking Festival - Come celebrate "hiking" in the Southeast at The Great Southeastern Hiking Festival, to be held May 3-6 in Montreat, North Carolina. For more information about this regional event, visit http://GreatSEHikingFestival.org

BEN - April 2, 2007 #282

Bama Environmental News - BEN
http://www.BamaNews.com
April 2, 2007 #282

1) Alabama Signs Safe Harbor Agreement For Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers
2) Unregulated Dams in Alabama Cause Concern
3) GEEKS in the Woods
4) BEN Notes: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Clean Up, Auburn University's Emerging Issues Urban/Rural Interfaces, Shoals Environmental Alliance Spring Schedule, Ruffner Mountain's Bayou Trip, AEC's Green Tie Affair, Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Discovery Day, Alabama Earth Fest, Delta Blues Festival, Auburn University Earth Week Events, ALEEC E.O Wilson, Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County, 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival, Earth Day at the Gardens, Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade, Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup, Cocktails with the Critters, Great Southeastern Hiking Festival, Calming Climate Change Symposium

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1. Alabama Signs Safe Harbor Agreement For Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers - Last week, the Alabama Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the establishment of a Safe Harbor Program for red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCW) in the state of Alabama.

An innovative and successful program, the Safe Harbor Program provides a mechanism through which private landowners can agree to manage their lands in a manner that benefits a protected species. In return, they receive an assurance that they will not suffer from increased regulatory requirements should more of the protected species occupy their land.

Since 1994, the number of active RCW clusters in the South have increased from 4694 to 6254. On private land, the numbers have increased from 969 to 1286. Alabama is the eighth state to implement a statewide Safe Harbor agreement for RCW's. Across the Southeast, there are 268 private landowners and 621,035 acres enrolled in the program. Acreage enrolled in the program accounts for 613 RCW groups, including 57 new Safe Harbor RCW groups that have been created.

The first enrollee in the Alabama Safe Harbor Program is Campbell Lanier III. A noted conservationist, Lanier has protected more than 18,000 acres under conservation easements. His Sehoy and Enon Plantations are expertly managed for bobwhite quail and contains more than 12,000 acres of suitable RCW habitat. For more information about the statewide Safe Harbor Program for RCWs in Alabama, contact Bob Hastings, Alabama Natural Heritage Program at 334-833-4064 or Mark Sasser, Department of Conservation at 334-242-3469.

2. Unregulated Dams in Alabama Cause Concern - According to an Anniston Star report that was released last month, Alabama is the only state in the country that has no regulations on the books for dam maintenance and safety (this finding does not include Alabama Power and TVA dams which are governed and inspected by federal regulations and agencies).

Additional findings:

* No state office is sure of the number of dams in Alabama (it is estimated at 2100). The last time Alabama counted dams on its rivers, streams and ponds was in 1981.

* The last dam inventory in Alabama found 171 high-hazard dams. A high-hazard dam is one that could cause significant loss of life or property damage. High hazard does not necessarily mean the dam is in poor condition, but most states require frequent inspections.

Presently, no legislation has been proposed this session of the Alabama Legislature to address dam safety. By contrast, the state of Georgia has been regulating dams for nearly 30 years through the Georgia Safe Dams Act, which passed in 1978. That law was created after the 40 foot Kelly Barnes Dam broke over the town of Toccoa, Georgia killing 39 people in November 1977.

3. GEEKS in the Woods - Joshua Morrison, a 15 year old student at White Plains High School in Calhoun County noticed that his generation had lost touch with the natural world, captured by the virtual world of PS3, Wii and IPODs.

In response to that disturbing trend and inspired by Richard Louv's book "Last Child in the Woods" and his mother, Renee Morrison, an educator for the JSU Field Schools, Joshua created a group called "Geeks in the Woods" (Geeks stands for Good lookin environmentally educated kids) . Now, Joshua and his friends are reaching out to their generation, promoting nature. Check out this extraordinary new movement by visiting the group's website at http://www.geeksinthewoods.org .

4. BEN Notes - Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Clean Up, Auburn University's Emerging Issues Urban/Rural Interfaces, Shoals Environmental Alliance Spring Schedule, Ruffner Mountain's Bayou Trip, AEC's Green Tie Affair, Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Discovery Day, Alabama Earth Fest, Delta Blues Festival, Auburn University Earth Week, ALEEC E.O Wilson, Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County, 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival, Earth Day at the Gardens, Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade, Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup, Cocktails with the Critters, Great Southeastern Hiking Festival, Calming Climate Change Symposium

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Clean Up - Join the Friends of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for Clean Up and Learn Days on April 7th at 8:30 AM. For additional information contact Teresa Adams at 256-350-6639 or visit http://www.fws.gov/wheeler/

Auburn University's Emerging Issues Urban/Rural Interfaces - Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is holding a 3 day conference titled Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural in Atlanta on April 9-12. For details, visit http://www.sfws.auburn.edu/urbanruralinterfaces/

Shoals Environmental Alliance Spring Schedule - Check out the Shoals Environmental Alliance schedule of Nature Walks at - http://shoalsenvironalliance.netfirms.com/

Ruffner Mountain's Bayou Trip - Ruffner Mountain naturalists are leading a scenic 2 night journey along the Bartram Canoe Trail on April 13-15. To participate in this once in a lifetime trip call Josh Conway at 205-833-8264 ext. 13. The fee is $175 per person which includes meals, transportation, and canoe/tent rentals. For more info - http://www.ruffnermountain.org

AEC's Green Tie Affair - The Alabama Environmental Council will be holding its 11th Annual Green Tie Affair Dinner and Party on April 13th, 6:00 at the B&A Warehouse in Birmingham. For details about this exciting event go to - http://www.aeconline.ws

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Come celebrate Discovery Day - Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Annual Open House - and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 200th year of programs on April 14th, 9:00 AM at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, North Campus. For information about the day's activities visit, http://www.disl.org .

Alabama Earth Fest - Check out the "Run for the Crest" Road Race and Music Festival at http://www.AlabamaEarthFest.org. The event is scheduled for April 14th at Oak Mountain State Park.

Delta Blues Festival - Alabama's new Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama will be holding their grand opening on April 13th with a ribbon cutting ceremony. On Saturday, April 14th-15th the new Resource Center will be hosting the Delta Blues Festival featuring world famous Richard Johnston. For detail about the new center and the weekend long festival, visit http://www.alabamafiverivers.com

Auburn University Earth Week - Auburn University's Sustainability Initiative will be holding events throughout the campus from April 15 to April 21. For information about the week-long celebration visit http://earthday.auburn.edu

ALEEC E.O Wilson - On April 21, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Samford University's Leslie Stephens Wright Center, the Alabama Environmental Education Consortium will be hosting E.O. Wilson and a number of speakers, including Sally Bingham from the Interfaith Power and Light Program. Contact Ginny Brown at 205-726-4246 for additional information

Household Hazardous Waste Day in Jefferson County - Jefferson County will be holding their annual Household Hazardous Waste Day on April 21, 8:00 AM to Noon at Regions Park Stadium, the Center Point Court House, Bessemer Civic Center and the Alabama Fairgrounds. For additional info contact Sissy Mitchell at 444-7543.

17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day - The 17th Annual Bay Area Earth Day, now "Earth Fest" is scheduled for April 21, 10-5 at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway. Check out the Earth Fest website at http://www.5riversearthfest.org for details.

3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival - Don't miss the 3rd Annual Mountain Longleaf Festival on April 21, 10-3 at Historic McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. For event details, visit or call 256-782-5681.

Earth Day at the Gardens - The 10th Anniversary of Earth Day at the Gardens will be held Sunday, April 22, 1-5 PM at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For details call Anna Sizemore at 205-414-3965 or visit http://www.bbgardens.org

Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade - Auntie Litter's 16th Annual Earth Day Parade will be held Monday, April 23, at Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To participate, call 205-879-3009 or visit http://www.auntielitter.org

Five Mile Creek Greenway Cleanup - Help cleanup Five Mile Creek by participating in the 4th Annual Five Mile Greenway Cleanup on April 28. at 8:00 AM near Fultondale. For volunteer information contact Francesca Gross at 205-264-8464 or Michael Sznajderman, Alabama Power Service Organization at 205-257-4155.

Cocktails with the Critters - National Geographic's Photographer in Residence, David Doubilet will be the guest of honor at "Cocktails for Critters". The event will be held at the Five Rivers Alabama's Delta Resource Center on May 3rd from 6:30 until 9:30, and will benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation. Tickets are $75. For additional info call 251-861-8710.

Great Southeastern Hiking Festival - Come celebrate "hiking" in the Southeast at The Great Southeastern Hiking Festival, to be held May 3-6 in Montreat, North Carolina. For more information about this regional event, visit http://GreatSEHikingFestival.org

Calming Climate Change Symposium - The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will be holding "Calming Climate Change" Symposium on May 16th, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. To register call 205-414-3950 or online http://www.bbgardens.org

Montgomery Advertiser Editorial Supports Clean Water/Cancer Risk Proposals

Montgomery Advertiser Editorial (Below) Supports Clean Water

Will ADEM follow...?

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Stricter rules well justified

March 27, 2007
Alabama has one of the nation's highest cancer death rates. There are multiple reasons for that, but the sobering statistic plainly argues for efforts against known risk factors -- and thus for more stringent environmental regulations.

Alabama should adopt the recommendations of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which are used in most other states and which provide a significantly greater degree of protection than the standards of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. In the Southeast, only Alabama and Tennessee employ less protective pollution standards than EPA recommends.

The Alabama Environmental Management Commission, which oversees ADEM, was presented last week with three petitions calling for the adoption of the stricter standards. The petitions deserve the commission's serious attention.

The Press-Register reported that the petitions presented by environmental organizations urge ADEM to revise the cancer risk level used in the calculation of allowable pollution discharges and to cut the permitted levels of water pollutants. There are strong cases to be made for all the petitions.

Perhaps the most powerful argument is for changing the cancer risk calculations. Alabama's water quality rules are based on a 1 in 100,000 cancer risk from exposure to carcinogenic materials. In most states, the calculations are based on a 1 in 1 million risk -- 10 times more protective than Alabama's regulations.

One petition calls on ADEM to adopt a "relative source contribution" policy on some cancer-causing pollutants found throughout the environment, not only in water. This would take into account exposure in the air and in food. Current regulations address only exposure in water, meaning that Alabamians could have an overall exposure to these pollutants that exceeds levels EPA deems safe. Yet again, most states use this factor in establishing water quality formulas.

Another petition supports adopting EPA's "reference dose" rules on phenol, used in manufacturing nylon and plastics, and acrolein, used in making many chemicals and pesticides. This refers to the amount of a pollutant EPA deems safe to consume per day. ADEM's current regulations allow significantly more discharge of these materials than EPA recommends.

The fact that most states already have higher water quality standards should tell Alabamians something. Claims that stricter standards hurt economic development are nonsense. They certainly didn't prevent Georgia's landing the Kia plant or Mississippi's getting the Toyota plant, to name but two recent examples.

With the nation's sixth highest cancer death rate, Alabama clearly does not lack for justification in adopting stricter water quality standards.

Times Daily Editorial - Safe Water - Published 3/25

Times Daily Calls for Clean Water. Below is their editorial.

Will ADEM follow....?

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It probably comes as no surprise to those who follow state government that Alabama has some of the most lax water quality laws in the nation, allowing industries to discharge chemicals into state waterways at much higher levels than other states allow.

A group of environmental advocacy groups last week submitted three petitions to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, encouraging the regulatory agency to adopt the strictest regulations recommended by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Other southeastern states -- with the exception of Tennessee -- already adhere to the stricter guidelines.

It's time for ADEM to join other state regulatory agencies and insist that the state's water be as clean as possible.

The petitions, filed by the Alabama Rivers Alliance and other groups, focus on chemicals that cause cancer. About 60 chemicals are identified in the petitions.

The goal, according to the environmental groups, is to sharply reduce the risk of cancer in Alabama residents.

"The goal of is to improve the regulations at ADEM and get them to comply with their own policies," Adam Synder, director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, told the Mobile Register last week. "We want them to meet the recommended standards that EPA has produced."

That's not a radical or unreasonable request. Alabama is rich in inland waterways, which makes it attractive to manufacturers. ADEM and its controlling board, the Alabama Environmental Management Council, should act quickly to adopt these guidelines.

Alabama allows residents to eat fish with comparatively elevated levels of PCBs, and uses a cancer risk ratio of 1 in 100,000 in its water quality rules. Other states, using the EPA regulations, allow a 1 in a million risk ratio.

Tennessee Valley residents have experienced their share of water quality hazards in the past. Mercury has been an especially troubling pollutant in Tennessee River fish. The heavy metal was discharged by manufacturers along the Tennessee River in years past.

There is no reason ADEM and its board should hesitate adopting EPA guidelines. Earlier recommendations to the board for stricter environmental guidelines and enforcement have received little attention, which probably has something to do with the state's poor funding for the agency.

Alabamians deserve a better regulated environment than the one they are now living in. Adopting the EPA water discharge regulations would do much to correct that problem.