Monday, April 19, 2010
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Latest Birmingham News Commentary - Earth Day Edition
From the Sunday Birmingham News - April 18, 2010
Written by: Pat Byington
On the grounds of one of the world's largest cathedrals, St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral in New York City, is a simple piece of art: seven human-shaped arches, each representing a generation, lined up in a row.
Next to this graceful sculpture is a gray footstone topped by a plaque with this inscription: "In all our deliberations we must be mindful of the impact of our decisions on the SEVEN GENERATIONS to follow ours." -- from the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois
What a mission statement. When we confront difficult environmental issues, the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois offers us the best path. And if there were ever a state that should adopt such a law, it would be Alabama, because we have the most to lose.
In 2002, The Nature Conservancy released a report called "States of the Union: Ranking America's Biodiversity." In that report, Alabama was ranked fifth nationally for the most species. Digging deeper into the numbers, Alabama came up first nationally in the number of different kinds of freshwater fish, mussels, snails and turtles. Also, to the dismay of many Louisiana citizens, Alabama ranked first in the number of different kinds of crayfish.
According to the longtime environmental writer and Nature Conservancy staffer Bill Finch, Alabama has played a critical role in maintaining the biological richness of the entire Eastern forest, from New England to the Gulf of Mexico.
For example, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, often described as the most diverse national park, has just more than 100 different tree species and 12 different kinds of oak trees over a 500,000-acre area. In southwestern Alabama's Red Hills near Monroeville, Finch said he has identified more than 130 varieties of trees and 20 kinds of oak trees in an area one-tenth the size of the Smokies.
Finch said it's not hard to find similar diversity in dozens of native forests throughout the state, from the Paint Rock Valley in northeast Alabama near Huntsville, to the forests along the Cahaba River, to the coastal forests along the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
These Alabama forests have likely played a critical role in nourishing North American forest diversity through hundreds of thousands of years, and they'll likely be called on to share their wealth in the future. Alabama is home to one of nature's largest libraries. We must think in terms of protecting our special places and the environment for "generations."
This year marks my 20th year, a generation, working for groups such as the Alabama Environmental Council, the Wilderness Society, the Alabama Environmental Management Commission and the Forever Wild Board of Trustees. There was one special moment in my memory the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois -- Seven Generations -- was followed. That was when a very diverse group of people convened in 1992 to write the Forever Wild constitutional amendment.
For nearly 20 years since its passage, Forever Wild has protected more than 200,000 acres across the state and is one of the most successful conservation laws in Alabama's history. More important, even today, that diverse group of people on opposite sides of the political spectrum continues to work together to make Forever Wild succeed for generations to come. On reflection, we were all working together for future generations. Forever.
Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, which is 40 years old Thursday, may have summed it up best when he said on the original Earth Day on April 22, 1970, two generations ago:
"Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 05, 2010
Mary Burk's Inducted Into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame
"One gave life to many and one found life in the wilderness," the Rev. Henry Parsley, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, said during his invocation at Judson College - talking about the two inductees Midwife Margaret Charles Smith and Mary Burks.
Check out the article about Mary Burk's induction into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in today's Montgomery Advertiser
Here are articles I wrote about Mary shortly after her passing.
http://www.bamanews.com/2007/03/mary-burks.html
http://www.bamanews.com/2008/11/birmingham-news-commentary-11-30-2008.html
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Eastern Forest Partnership FY 11 Priorities
Eastern Forest Partnership FY 11 Priorities - Check it out here - EFP_layout_2.5.pdf
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Legacy on the Land Events in Birmingham
Two great events were held in Birmingham on Tuesday, February 23rd with Frank and Audrey Peterman, authors of the book Legacy on the Land. The couple met with a group organized by Regional Planning Commission director Charles Ball for lunch. In the evening, they held a book-signing at the Little Professor Bookstore in Homewood.Frank and Audrey spoke about the Keeping it Wild conservation organization in Atlanta, and their many adventured exploring our nation's wild places.
Frank & Audrey Peterman on FOX 6 Good Day Alabama
Frank & Audrey Peterman and Fox 6's Rick Journey
The Wilderness Society's Frank Peterman and his wife Audrey Peterman appeared today on FOX 6 - Good Day Alabama promoting their new book Legacy on the Land.
Check out a clip of their interview here. Fox 6 Good Day Alabama & the Peterman's
Frank and Audrey were also profiled in the Birmingham Weekly last week.
Check out that article here
Thursday, February 11, 2010
BEN - February 11, 2010 #330
Bama Environmental News - BEN
http://www.Bamanews.com
February 11, 2010
Links/Publications/Op-ed
Forever Wild 1992-2009 - Check out this colorful and information packed 40 page document about the Forever Wild Program
http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/public-lands/stateLands/foreverWild/ForeverWildReport.pdf
Birmingham News Op-ed "Recalling Alabama's Natural History" by BEN Publisher Pat Byington
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2009/12/viewpoints_recalling_alabamas.html
Birmingham Weekly Op-ed "Light Rail in Birmingham" by BEN Publisher Pat Byington
http://www.bamanews.com/2010/01/birmingham-weekly-commentary-transit.html
Mississippi-Alabama Habitats Tools
News
The 2009 Green Report - The Green Resource Center for Alabama released their Annual Green Report highlighting this year's important developments toward making Alabama a greener place to live.
http://www.bamanews.com/GreenReport09.pdf
Mary Burks Named to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame - An incredible honor. Two years ago, Mary Burks, the "mother of the Sipsey Wilderness" and founder of the Alabama Conservancy passed away. On March 4th, at Judson College, she will be inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame. Here is the story about this special and well deserved honor. http://blog.al.com/live/2010/02/mary_ivy_burks_of_birmingham_m.html
Environmental Groups Ask EPA to Remove State Water Program - Fourteen Alabama environmental groups have called upon the EPA to revoke the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's water program. Here is the story from the Mobile Press-Register:
http://blog.al.com/live/2010/01/groups_want_epa_to_revoke_adem.html
Here is the 77 page petition to EPA:
http://www.alabamarivers.org/epa-petition
Southern Environmental Law Center Names Black Warrior River "Endangered Place" in 2010 - The Southern Environmental Center has released their annual report on the South's "Endangered Places." This year Alabama's Black Warrior River made the group's 2010 "Endangered" list. Here is a link to the SELC list: http://www.southernenvironment.org/about/top_10_2010/
Forever Wild Adds Two New Tracts in Barbour County and Tallapoosa River - According to recent Department of Conservation press releases, Forever Wild has completed the purchase of more than 6800 acres in Barbour County and along the Tallapoosa River. Here is a description of the two newest additions to the Forever Wild Program:
http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=767
http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=771
Mobile Bay Loses Over 1300 Acres of Seagrasses - According to aerial surveys conducted by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Alabama lost 1371 acres of seagrasses between 2002 and 2009. That leaves the state with 5,248 acres of underwater vegetation, about 66 percent of it in the Mobile -Tensaw Delta. Check out the entire Mobile Press-Register story here:
http://blog.al.com/live/2010/02/1300_acres_of_grass_beds_lost.html
Events
Friends of Shades Creek - Learn more about the re-authorization of the Forever Wild Program at the Friends of Shades Creek - February 11th, 7:00 at the Homewood Library
Alabama River Alliance's Watershed Leadership Conference Deadline February 12th - Don't miss the February 12th deadline to register for this year's Watershed Leadership Conference. Author Janisse Ray will be speaking at the event, along with several numerous events during the week. Go to http://www.alabamarivers.org for details.
Wild About Chocolate - The Alabama Wildlife Center will be holding their annual "Wild About Chocolate" fundraiser on February 13th at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. Check out the details at : http://www.awrc.org
Smart Coast & the Bay Bears Host Sustainability Session - On February 23rd (Noon to 2:00) Smart Coast and the Mobile Bay Bears Baseball team will be hosting the "3Es of Sustainability Green Initiatives Session. Visit http://www.smartcoast.org for registration details.
Frank and Audrey Peterman Booksigning - Frank & Audrey Peterman will be having a Booksigning at the Little Professor Bookstore in Homewood on February 23rd, 6:30. They will be discussing and signing their book "Legacy on the Land." For details about the book visit http://www.legacyontheland.org
Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference - Please register for EEAA's annual conference to be held March 4-5 in Guntersville, Alabama. For registration info, visit: http://www.eeaa.us//content/view/89/1/
Alabama Hiking Annual Conference - The Alabama Hiking Trails Society will be holding their 8th Annual conference on March 19-21 at Camp McDowell. For details, visit http://www.hikealabama.org
Monday, February 08, 2010
BEN Publisher Pat Byington to Speak about Forever Wild
Shoal Creek Preserve Forever Wild Tract in St. Florian, Alabama
FRIENDS OF SHADES CREEK
Thursday, February 11, 2010
7:00 P.M.
Homewood Library, Room 101 (downstairs)
Topic: Forever Wild and Alabama's environmental future
Presentation by Pat Byington, Publisher of the Bama Environmental News and Senior Associate at The WIlderness Society
This presentation is important for understanding preservation of lands in Alabama for the future!
This affects, hikers, canoeing enthusiasts, hunters and fishermen and also groups like ours that are interested in preserving special lands with unique features.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Birmingham Weekly Commentary - Transit Needed
Saturday, December 26, 2009
BEN Exclusive: Green Report 2009 by the Green Resource Center for Alabama
Here is Green Report 2009 released by the Green Resource Center for Alabama
GreenReport09.pdf
Green_Report_2008_UPDATED.pdf
Below is last year's Green Report 2008
Friday, December 04, 2009
BEN - December 4, 2009 #329
BEN Holiday Appeal
http://www.bamanews.com/donation.html
News
(Links - Depending on your program, you may need to cut and paste links)
Wild South and Wildlaw Protect 71,043 of National Forests - As a result of a formal protest by Wild South and Wild Law, a proposal to lease for oil and gas development 148 parcels covering 71,043 acres in the National Forests in Alabama has been withdrawn. Particular places protected as a result of this decision: The Pinhoti Trail, viewshed of the Cheaha and Dugger Wilderness Areas, and several rivers including the Cahaba River and Blackwater River. For details read - http://www.wildlaw.org/news/12032009.htm
Gardeners Grow 45,000 Oysters for Restoration - Volunteers throughout the Mobile Bay region have helped grow more than 45,000 oysters this year, at 44 gardening sites on Mobile Bay reefs. Check out the entire story at: http://www.masgc.org/page.asp?id=3
Critical Habitat Proposed for the Vermilion Darter - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate 13 stream miles as critical habitat for the Vermilion Darter in the Turkey Creek watershed of Jefferson County. For details, visit: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2009/r09-062.html
Alabama's Dangerous Streets - Transportation for America recently released a report titled "Dangerous By Design" looking at pedestrian deaths in American cities. The Birmingham Metro area ranked 8th worst nationally for the top 50 U.S. Metro areas, according to their "Danger index." Also in the report, other large Alabama Metro areas were scored, including Mobile, which had a pedestrian danger index nearly double that of Birmingham. To access the report visit: http://t4america.org/resources/dangerousbydesign/
Renew Our Rivers Recognized By Keep America Beautiful - For the seventh straight year Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers program has been recognized by Keep America Beautiful. This year more than 5,500 volunteers participated removing more than 200 tons of trash and debris fro the state's lakes and rivers. For details visit: http://www.alabamapower.com/news/iframe_pressroom.asp?WT.svl=body_pressroom
Events
Alabama Wildlife Center 17th Annual Craft and Bake Sale - Saturday, December 5th, 9am to 2pm at Oak Mountain State Park - Call 205-6633-7930 for details.
Cahaba River Society Day at Nabeel's Cafe - Wednesday, December 9th, 10:30am to 9:30pm - 10% of sales from the day is contributed to CRS, when patrons mention they support CRS at checkout.
ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm
Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Conference
EEAA Conference
http://www.eeaa.us/content/view/89/1/
Christmas/Holiday Gift Ideas
Check out Green Teacher magazine. If you order the magazine, 20% of your new subscription will be rebated to the Environmental Education Association of Alabama. Call them at 888-804-1486 or visit http://www.greenteacher.com
Weeks Bay Foundation - http://www.weeksbay.org/shopping_cart.htm
Alabama Wildlife Federation - http://www.alabamawildlife.org/news/?newsID=18
Alabama Coastal Foundation - http://www.joinacf.org/merchandise.html
Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=561
Black Warrior Riverkeepers - http://blackwarriorriver.org/shop.html
Higher Ground Roasters - http://www.highergroundroasters.com/
Legacy - http://www.legacyenved.org/products/products_main.htm
Department of Conservation -
http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-alabama/shop/
Alabama Museum of Natural History
http://www.ua.edu/academic/museums/history/wordpress/?page_id=152
Ruffner Mountain (use Goodshop.com or Goodsearch.com to raise monies for Ruffner)
http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/ruffner-mountain-nature-center
Links/Publications
Leading Scientific Organizations Position on Climate Change Letter
http://www.ametsoc.org/sss/documents/climateletter.pdf
A Green Mayoral Candidate in Birmingham - Scott Douglas
http://www.douglasformayor.org/
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The Bama Environmental News is edited and published by Pat Byington. To receive back copies of BEN go to http://www.BamaNews.com . If you would like to be removed from this e-mail listserve contact BEN at pkbyington@aol.com
Monday, November 30, 2009
BEN Thanksgiving Special 2009 : Inspirational Passages & Holiday Appeal
Janisse Ray & BEN Publisher Pat ByingtonDear BEN Readers:
I want to thank you for your readership and your support for Alabama's environment. Please make
sure to read the special "Thankgiving Passages" (this from Alabamians Rep. John Lewis, Chuck Leavell (pianist for the Rolling Stones) and Janisse Ray) after our annual Holiday appeal supporting BEN charities.
Today is Cyber Monday (description here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_monday ), and in the spirit of making gifts during e-commerce's "Black Friday" the Bama Environmental News (http://www.BamaNews.com), asks it’s readers and friends to make tax-deductible contributions to the following BEN's charities this holiday season:
The Wilderness Society - https://donate.wilderness.org/05/donatetws
Southern Environmental Center- http://www.bsc.edu/sec/donate.htm
Visit our donations webpage at http://www.bamanews.com/donation.html for details about our three additional charities:
Sheffield High School Foundation – Environmental Public Service Scholarship
Camp McDowell – Byington Scholarship
University of Washington – Rose Scholarship
As you can see on the BEN donation page, these charities each have a special connection to me and my family. For over 10 years, we have asked people to contribute to the BEN charities in lieu of a BEN subscription. We have raised over $10,000 from 1998 to 2008. Please consider giving to one of these very special organizations.
Best Wishes,
Pat Byington
BEN Publisher
Thanksgiving Passages 2009
"... Praise Thee, wondrous God for the blessed watershed that is Alabama, pliant to man's needs, gracious to his questing spirit. May her sons and daughters not forget Thy bounty, nor fail to deserve Thy benediction through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
From the state of Alabama Prayer at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
****************************************
Walking through fields smelling the wildflowers, touching the ancient oaks, poplars and pines, I learned wonder. Drinking from a fresh water spring, I learned purity. Fishing with a simple cane pole, I learned contemplation and patience. Feeling the dirt and pine straw between my toes, I learned the wilderness is part of me - I cannot and never will seperate myself from its beauty and peacefulness...
Part of the problem we have in our society, particularly in urban centers, is that we don't lose ourselves to what is natural. In our rush to progress technologically and to grow economically, we sometimes forget about the things that give people a sense of fulfillment and happiness. People have busy lives and difficult priorities- raising families, educationg their children, trying hard to get ahead. But it shouldn't be an either/or choice when it comes to protecting wilderness. We must be willing to move beyond our selves and our problems and consider the larger impact of our actions and legacy we leave for our children. If we don't, we will lose part of our humanity we can't replace...
- Alabama native and civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis commenting in the The Wilderness Society publication, "Why Wilderness: What the Last Remaining Wild Lands of the Southern Appalachians mean to the People of the Southeast."
*************************************************
"Trees are like music. It's fun and soothes the soul to play an instrument alone and express oneself. Many an hour, I've poured out my emotions on the piano instead of on a psychiatrist's couch. But it's a lot of fun to share the tune, to take the sounds from others--to be surprised by the richness of each other's sound-- muscial heritages blending together, if you will. Each instrument so different, but all so important to the song.
... Each tree-- each forest -- has its own song and we must listen. And while we are listening and unraveling the mysteries and gifts of the trees, we should always take a monent to sit under a tree, look up and be thankful."
--Chuck Leavell, Alabama native, conservationist and pianist for the Rolling Stones.
***********************************
Let us put our minds together and give thanks
for the life we've been given,
for the chance to dream and wake and go out
among the meadow beauty, raising its many
velvet faces toward the sun.
For the cypress standing in sleepy congregations
like cloaked women in prayer.
For cubbyholes and cavities, grass beds and hollow
tupelos, for branch forks and underbanks.
For the open throats of pitcher plants
singing like bog frogs in the dusk.
For wild persimmon and huckleberry and hickory nut,
cattail and Ogeechee lime.
For reefs of flowers sweetly exhaling.
For beakers of rain poured liberally
from an archangel sky, the alchemy of rivers and bogs.
And thank the lightning that sparks heaven's love for earth,
conductor of fire.
Let us put our minds together and give thabks
for all the two leggeds and four-leggeds and six-leggeds,
the many leggeds and the no-leggeds,
near to far.
Let us especially thank the two who gave us life.
And thank Mother Earth, Elder Brother Sun,
Grandmother Moon, Sister Star, Families, Safe Journeys.
Let us put our minds together and give thanks.
-Poem by Janisse Ray, From Pinhook, Finding Wholeness in a Fragmented Land
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Bama Environmental News - #328
News
New York Times Features Alabama's War on Cogongrass - In September, the New York Times featured a story on state of Alabama's "war on cogongrass" an invasive weed that threatens forestry and agriculture in the state. Check out the story here
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/us/21land.html
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/09/21/us/20090921-LAND_index.html
Forever Wild and Wildlife Management Areas - For people who care about wildlife management areas and public hunting lands, the latest edition has some interesting figures about Forever Wild and WMA's. Here is an excerpt:
"Since 1992, Forever Wild has secured 183,603 acres of public hunting lands that are part of the Alabama WMA system. These lands are distributed within 13 WMA's in 12 counties."
Some of the Forever Wild WMA's include:
Barbour WMA (26% owned by Forever WIld)
Cahaba WMA - (79% owned by Forever WIld)
Coosa WMA - (26% owned by Forever Wild)
Crow Creek WMA (8% owned by Forever Wild)
Freedom Hills WMA (75% owned by Forever Wild)
Laudedale WMA (31% owned by Forever Wild)
Lowndes WMA (15% owned by Forever WIld)
Mobile-Tensaw Delta & W.L. Holland WMA (11% owned by Forever Wild)
Mulberry Fork WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)
Perdido River WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)
Riverton WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)
Skyline (James D. Martin) WMA (39% owned by Forever Wild)
Upper Delta WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)
Recycling Grants - ADEM & Governor Riley have awarded eight recycling grants totaling $1.1 million.
http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2009/GovRileyHighlightRecycling.pdf
Perry County Coal Ash Landfill Challenged - Environmental attorney David Ludder has filed suit to halt the coal ash shipments to Perry County.
http://blog.locustfork.net/2009/11/21/attorney-demands-halt-to-tva-coal-ash-shipments/#comments
A Tagged Manatee Named BAMA - Here is a great Mobile Register story about Alabama's first "tagged" manatee and the new Mobile Manatees Sighting Network program at Dauphin Island.
http://blog.al.com/live/2009/11/rescued_manatee_named_bama_hea.html
Events
ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm
Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Conference
EEAA Conference
http://www.eeaa.us/content/view/89/1/
Christmas/Holiday Gift Ideas
Weeks Bay Foundation - http://www.weeksbay.org/shopping_cart.htm
Alabama Wildlife Federation - http://www.alabamawildlife.org/news/?newsID=18
Alabama Coastal Foundation - http://www.joinacf.org/merchandise.html
Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=561
Black Warrior Riverkeepers - http://blackwarriorriver.org/shop.html
Higher Ground Roasters - http://www.highergroundroasters.com/
Legacy - http://www.legacyenved.org/products/products_main.htm
Department of Conservation -
https://www.alabamainteractive.org/shoppingcart/cgi-bin/shopdcnr.cgi?store=2
Alabama Museum of Natural History
http://www.ua.edu/academic/museums/history/wordpress/?page_id=152
Links/Publications
Leading Scientific Organizations Position on Climate Change Letter
Monday, November 02, 2009
BEN - November 2, 2009 #327
News Good news for Land Conservation in Alabama. Last week, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations bill appropriating $2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to expand the Little River Canyon National Preserve and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. An additional $640,000 was appropriated for the Cumberland Mountains Forest Legacy project in Jackson County. http://www.bamanews.com/2009/11/alabama-scores-lwcf-victory.html
Forever Wild saves more than 61,000 acres in Metro Birmingham's "Backyard." Last week, Forever Wild announced that they had closed a deal to protect more than 61,000 acres of Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Lands in Bibb, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Shelby counties for the next 93 years. The agreement will preserve the public hunting, fishing, hiking and recreational rights within an hour's drive of nearly a quarter of Alabama's population. Details about this monumental conservation agreement can be found at: Bham News - http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/10/post_43.html Mike Bolton's Column - http://blog.al.com/outdoors-alabama/2009/11/bolton_forever_wild_deal_guara.html
Ducks Unlimited - Fundraising and Protecting Land. In the next few weeks, Ducks Unlimited will be holding fundraising events/banquets across Alabama. These efforts have resulted in the protection of 18,726 acres of waterfowl habitat statewide. The events starts this Tuesday. Check out the event in neighborhood at http://www.ducks.org/states/31//index.html
Energy Efficient Buildings Save Money. Here is a great story from the "Auburn Sustainability" website about the Gorrie Center, a new LEED Gold Certified building on campus. According to the story, the Gorrie Center uses 59.8% of the average amount of electricity when compared to nine similar-use building on the Auburn University campus. The building can also save more than $400,000 in electricity costs a year. For more details: http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/newsletter/043009.html#anchor_11
ADEM & ALDOT Team Up. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Transportation have been awarded a grant to retrofit approximately 184 diesel vehicles to reduce particulate pollution. To learn more: http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2009/DieselRetrofits.pdf
More than 5000 houses will be weatherized in Alabama over the next 2 years saving money and energy. Check out how some Alabama Power Service Organization volunteers are helping out in Montgomery - http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091031/NEWS01/910310326/Grants-help-ensure-warm-winter-for-area-residents
BEN Notes:
Grants
Birmingham Audubon Mini-Grants - The deadline for the Birmingham Audubon Society's Mini-Grant program is fast approaching. Visit http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/minigrantprog for details
Events
Nabeel's Cafe in Homewood (1706 Oxmoor Rd.) is donating 10% of their sales to the Cahaba River Society on November 4th. Make sure to mention your support of CRS when you checkout.
Moss Rock Festival - November 7th & 8th, Hoover, Alabama - http://www.mossrockfestival.com/
Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - 09 Autumn Ramble Guided Hike Schedule- http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=40
Lecture Series - "Dauphin Island, Alabama: America's Birdiest City and Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries" - November 10th, 7:00, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
Cahaba River Huckraiser - an Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament - November 14th, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, at George Ward Park in Birmingham - Details call 32-CLEAN
6th Annual Alabama Renewable Energy Conference, November 17-18 at Auburn University - http://www.nrmdi.auburn.edu/bio/ADECA/conference/2009/
ARTSCAPE an Event will benefit the Freshwater Land Trust - November 19, 6:30-9:00pm - Details: call the Land Trust at 205-226-7900.
Technical Knockout will be holding an e-cycle event on November 21st, 9am to 4pm at Whole Foods in Birmingham.
ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm
Links/Publications
Energy Reliant States - http://www.newrules.org/sites/newrules.org/files/ESRS.pdf
Balch and Bingham's Southeast Endangered Species Update http://www.balch.com/files/Publication/2a9e0041-7d4c-411a-b50d-0423124c1305/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/843147ac-4fd6-4ecc-b567-050b5e70a4af/BB%20Southeast%20Endangered%20Species%20Update%20Fall%202009.pdf
Gulf Alliance Education - http://www.gulfallianceeducation.org/
Shoals Earth http://www.shoalsearth.com
Alabama Scores LWCF Victory
Good news for Land Conservation in Alabama. Last week, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations bill bringing in $2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to expand the Little River Canyon National Preserve and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. An additional $640,000 was appropriated for the Cumberland Mountains Forest Legacy project in Jackson County.
Friday, October 23, 2009
BEN - October 23, 2009 #326
News
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy ranks Alabama 48th in the country in the implementation of energy efficient programs and policies. Scoring lower than Alabama (worse) were Mississippi, North Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.
Here is the report: http://www.aceee.org/press/e097pr.htm
Birmingham News Story - http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/alabama_ranks_48th_in_energy_e.html
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management assessed $286,100 for water pollution violations in the 2009 fiscal year compared to more than $1.2 million in each the proceeding two years according to the ADEM Reform Coalition.
Mobile Register Story - http://blog.al.com/live/2009/10/adem_penalties_for_water_pollu.html
According to a new Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) report, the Birmingham Metro Area ranks #1 for the worst soot pollution of any urban region in the South, with levels high enough to put more than 400,000 children and adults directly at risk for heart and lung disease.
The SELC Report - http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/press_releases/2009_10_20_bham_press_release/
A settlement has been reached between Mobile Baykeeper and the Alabama Department of Transportation in the US 98 lawsuit. The settlement will require the agency to deliver several environmental improvements demanded by Mobile Baykeeper to the very controversial project that was dubbed by the Mobile Register "Muddy 98."
Mobile Register Story - http://blog.al.com/live/2009/10/mobile_baykeeper_settles_muddy.html
Mobile Register Series 'Muddy 98" - http://blog.al.com/pr/2007/09/muddy_98.html
SweetWater Brewing Company's 2nd Annual "Save the Black Warrior River Campaign" raised $13,000 throughout the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa Region.
http://blackwarriorriver.org/news/save-the-black-warrior-2009-recap.html
Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2009 - More than 4400 volunteers participated and 93,000 pounds of litter collected.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1253438173105170.xml&coll=3
BEN Notes:
Jobs
Ruffner Mountain Executive Director Position - http://www.bamanews.com/2009/10/ruffner-mountain-seeking-executive.html
Dauphin Island Sea Lab is seeking an Aquarist & Research Associate - go to http://press.disl.org/jobs.htm
Grants
Birmingham Audubon Mini-Grants - The deadline for the Birmingham Audubon Society's Mini-Grant program is fast approaching.
Visit http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/minigrantprog for details
Events
International Day of Climate Action - Saturday, October 24th - events Across Alabama
http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2009/20091015-enact.htm
http://www.aeconline.org/blog/2009/10/350org-climate-action-day-in-alabama.html
Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - 09 Autumn Ramble Guided Hike Schedule- http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=406
Mobile Baykeeper Bay Bash - October 29, 6:00 to 8:00 at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center -
Additional Details at: http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/events/bay-bash
Hulsey Little River Land Trust Annual Meeting, October 29th, 6:00 at ROJO, 2921 Highland Ave. S. Birmingham, Alabama 35205
Workshops & Events at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center - Visit http://www.Alabama5Rivers.com
Lecture Series - "Dauphin Island, Alabama: America's Birdiest City and Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries" - November 10th, 7:00, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
The registration deadline for EEAA's Excellence in EE Guidelines training (on November 10th at McWane Center) is approaching fast. Get your registrations in by this coming Tuesday! It is easy at: https://www.regonline.com/ee_guidelines_training
Cahaba River Huckraiser - an Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament - November 14th, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, at George Ward Park in Birmingham - Details call 32-CLEAN
ARTSCAPE an Event will benefit the Freshwater Land Trust - November 19, 6:30-9:00pm - Details: call the Land Trust at 205-226-7900.
Links
OXFAM Climate Change Map - The Southeast Impacts
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/climate-change-going-to-hurt-southeast-united-states.php
Comprehensive Data Portal for Global Climate Information
Gulf Coast Chapter of the Hiking Trail Society -
Gulf Alliance Education -
http://www.gulfeallianceeducation.org
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The Bama Environmental News is edited and published by Pat Byington. To receive back copies of BEN go to http://www.BamaNews.com . If you would like to be removed from this e-mail listserve contact BEN at pkbyington@aol.com
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