Comments from the Chair, Robert W. Hastings
Shortly after the National elections, and hearing many expressions of dismay, anger, tears, and frustration, I sent an open letter as an email message (part of which is copied below) to all Alabama Chapter members for whom I have email access (if you did not receive this message, but would like to read the entire message, please send me your email or U.S. mail address and I will add you to my mailing list.). I received many responses to my message, both pro and con. I thank all of you who expressed your opinions, even those who were critical of some of my statements. We all need to be able to express and discuss our opinions on various issues in a respectful and constructive manner. I encourage you to do so in the future without resorting to abusive and vulgar language.
The primary intent of my message was to encourage all of our members to accept the challenge of a clearly anti-environmental administration, and do more to support your Sierra Club Chapter, Group, and National organization in fighting for environmental protection. In the words of our national leader, Michael Brune: “A Trump administration will never seem normal, nor should it. We already know that the corrupt, cynical, and racist values that he and his inner circle bring to the White House will challenge everything we stand for. At the same time, the work we do has never been more important. This is the moment that Sierra Club was built for, and that will build the Sierra Club. We haven't any time to spare in preparing for the gathering storm. Donald Trump may be president for the next several years, but the Sierra Club has been doing this work for nearly 125 years. We'll still be here when Trump is gone, and our organization and our movement will be bigger, stronger, and more innovative than ever. Thank you for your resiliency and determination. It may be a bumpy ride to a better future, but we won't let our progress be stopped. Please continue to take care of each other.”
In closing, I have copied parts of my previous message which hopefully will be accepted in a constructive manner by all Alabama Sierra Club members. Let us all work together to promote the cause of environmental protection for all Americans. The challenge is before us; let us rise to meet it.
*************************************
Excerpts from my November 13 message:
But what I really want to address is what we do now. One of the most important things we can do is give our love and encouragement to one another. We cannot give up, accept this tragedy, and believe there is nothing we can do. We must not accept the Trump that we saw in the campaign and who promised to undo all of the environmental standards that we hold dear. Now more than ever we need a strong Sierra Club. We must fight diligently to protect our lands, air, and waters, reduce the causes of global climate change, and defend the concept of environmental justice for all Americans.
The Alabama Sierra Club especially needs your support and action. We have too few activists who are expected to do too much. We can take pride in the tremendous support in this election for our state parks, as well as previous support for the Forever Wild program. But there are many other threats to our state environment that we need to fight. There are many things all of us can do to protect our state. I want to encourage you to get involved by doing some (or all) of the following:
- contact your political representatives and state agencies
- write letters-to-the-editor of newspapers
- attend Sierra Club meetings and our annual Retreat to discuss actions that need our attention
- participate in demonstrations to protest unwise threats to our environment
- write articles for our newsletter and Facebook page
- serve as a leader on the Chapter or a Group Executive Committee
- make financial contributions to the Alabama Chapter, and
- (most important of all) vote in favor of environmental protection.
No one knows what Trump will do now and he may surprise his supporters as much as his enemies. Already he is making statements that contradict many of his unrealistic promises during the campaign.
We have all been warned, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Be ready to do battle for those things we believe in, and fight for our environmental rights, civil rights, and economic rights. Our nation needs us.
Finally in the words of Elizabeth Warren:
“There are things we’re going to end up losing………..But on those core issues about treating every single human being in this country with dignity, on that we stand up and we fight back. We do not back down. We do not compromise, not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”
Gulf Highlands Conservation Acquisition Using BP Settlement Funds
This project plans to acquire, conserve, and manage 113 acres with 2,700 feet of Gulf frontage beach/dune habitat – the largest, privately held, undeveloped beachfront parcel remaining in coastal Alabama. Protection of this key habitat would benefit nesting sea turtles, migratory birds and shorebirds, and allow its continued function as refuge for the endangered Alabama beach mouse, something National Sierra Club and the Alabama Sierra Club fought long and hard to protect. The quality and extent of the dune system contributes to the parcel’s unique ecological benefits. Acquisition and permanent conservation would also prevent the likely development on the property of a permitted residential condominium complex with associated amenities.
In addition to the direct acquisition cost, the project budget also includes funding to support future management and stewardship of these important coastal habitats; including, but not limited to, invasive species control, boundary postings, and human disturbance management via strategically placed dune walk-overs, fencing, and interpretive signage. Once acquired, the parcel will be deeded to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Parks Division for long-term management and inclusion in their Ft. Morgan Parkway management area, with limited public access. Moreover, the parcel’s proximity to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge enhances both properties’ value as critical beachfront habitat for coastal birds, sea turtles, and the endangered beach mouse. Learn more here and here. Learn more about the original Sierra Club work to protect the beach mouse here.
This project is part of the larger award of more than $63 million for six projects in the state of Alabama. The Alabama projects address high-priority conservation needs, including the acquisition and restoration of significant coastal habitats in key focal areas, and the continuation of fisheries monitoring. For additional information on GEBF projects in Alabama, please click here. The number of projects approved for funding from the GEBF in the state of Alabama now stands at 19, with a total value of more than $115 million. All projects were selected for funding following extensive consultation with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, FWS and NOAA.
Longtime Alabama Sierra Club Member and Activist Richard "Dick" Short Passed Away
Richard “Dick” Short, longtime Sierra Club member, passed away on 12 November 2016, after a very courageous battle with myeloma. Dick served the Sierra Club in many ways including membership on both the Alabama Chapter Executive Committee and the Montgomery Group Executive Committee. We could always depend upon Dick to keep our meetings on focus by his quotes from Robert’s Rules of Order. He was an excellent pianist and would often entertain us if there happened to be a piano at our meeting site. For several years, he represented the Chapter as our delegate to annual meetings of the Council of Club Leaders in San Francisco. In the Montgomery Group, Dick was instrumental in leading our support of the County Water Festival each year, and helped by teaching some of the festival classes. He also led the Group in our efforts to preserve the Cypress Creek natural area in downtown Montgomery.
Dick was born in Cambridge, MA on October 27, 1934, and received his education at the Beverly, MA public Schools, Bates College, ME, and advanced degrees from Boston University. Dick was employed for many years by the Massachusetts State Department of Education and as Superintendent of Schools, Exeter, NH. After retirement he moved to Montgomery where he became a successful Real Estate agent. After many years of military service, he received an honorable discharge from the Army National Guard. For over 20 years he was the organist at the Trinity Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, where a memorial service in his honor was held on November 18, 2016. Donations in his memory may be contributed to the American Cancer Society.
Message from the National Sierra Club's Marine Action Team (MAT)
As Chair for the Sierra Club’s national issue Marine Action Team (MAT), I am reaching out to coastal area Chapters and Groups to broaden our understanding of marine and coastal concerns in Alabama, encouraging dialogue about how we might proceed in gaining ground on the various issues. Additionally, to facilitate an increased effectiveness, I invite you to join* MAT to expand the marine and coastal conversations within the Sierra Club.
We essentially operate under four different layers: Fisheries Management; Marine & Coastal Ecosystem Conservation; Marine Protected Areas; and Marine Wildlife & Habitat. We have added a few specialized areas, including Beach Nourishment Issues, the Southeast Florida Sierra Marine and Water Quality Team, and the Guam Action Team.
There is little need to tell you that the Trump administration will not be looking out for the wellbeing of our oceans, so it’s up to all of us.
Our membership is growing as ocean health, fisheries, and sea level rise have increasingly become headline issues, and as people become aware of MAT—the ocean arm of the Club.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Aloha and mahalo / thank you,
Doug
Doug Fetterly (Honolulu), Chair
Sierra Club national Marine Action Team
FETT4PAZ@gmail.com
808-627-5722
1. As a Sierra Club member, go to: https://content.sierraclub.org/grassrootsnetwork/
2. Click on Register now (or if you are already a Grassroots Network member, log in and skip step 3.)
3. Fill in the registration form and click "Create New Account" at the bottom of the page
4. Under "Find A Team" on the left side of the page, type “Marine Action Team" into the window provided and press Search.
5. When the list of teams comes up in the body of the page, find Marine Action Team and click "Join Now”
Done.
SAVE THE DATE: People's Climate Mobilization, April 29, 2017, Washington DC
We're excited to let you know that the People's Climate Movement is planning a movement-scale mobilization in Washington, DC on April 29, 2017. Following the election, the mobilization is more critical than ever before. It will be a key moment for the climate movement to come together and show our country, and the world, that we remain strong and will continue fighting for racial, economic and climate justice. It will also strengthen and provide momentum so that local and state campaigns can win bolder policies and raise the demand for an equitable transition to a new energy economy.
In addition to the mass mobilization on April 29, the People's Climate Movement will be organizing massive distributed events across the country in the first 100 Hours of the Trump Administration. We will organize bold actions throughout the first 100 days and we will be in Washington DC on April 29th to let the Trump Administration and the world know that we are going to keep fighting for everything and everyone that we love.
The Sierra Club will launch our action page and social media outreach this week and next in parallel with the launch of the People's Climate Movement First 100 Days Fight for Climate, Jobs and Justice website. Look for more details soon on where and how to get involved.
The Sierra Club will be playing a leading role in helping to plan and do turn out for the event in coordination with hundreds of partner organizations. The People's Climate Movement is a large and diverse coalition, focused on ensuring strong leadership from across the climate and climate justice movements.
Feel free to reach out if you have any initial questions. Maura Cowley (maura.cowley@sierraclub.org) from the Federal and International Climate Campaign is Sierra Club's representative on the People's Climate Movement Mobilization Support Team.
from Scott Elkins, National Sierra Club
Letter to the Editor From Longtime Sierra Club Activist David Newton
The letter-to-the-editor below was addressed to multiple newspapers in Alabama. This letter is somewhat longer than I would like, but I was attempting to give a more complete story as told by a respected news source, the Associated Press. As you can see, the last paragraph urges action by the reader. If you see the letter in print in a newspaper, please let me know.
We urgently need more people to help protect the environment we all care about. Thank you for your interest, support, and work.
Below is the Letter to the Editor:
The following recent quotes from the Associated Press should cause concern.
- October 28: “Six months into a deepening drought, the weather is killing crops, threatening cattle and sinking lakes to their lowest levels in years across much of the South.
- “The very worst conditions — what forecasters call ‘exceptional drought’ — are in the mountains of northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia.
- "’Here at my farm, April 15 was when the rain cut off,’ said David Bailey, who had to sell half his cattle, more than 100 animals, for lack of hay in Alabama's scorched northeast corner.
- "’We've come through some dry years in the '80s, but I never seen it this dry, this long,’ Bailey added. ’There's a bunch of people in a lot of bad shape here.’"
- November 11: “Thursday's [Nov. 10] national drought report shows 41.6 million people in parts of 15 Southern states living in drought conditions. The worst is in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, but extreme drought also is spreading into the western Carolinas. Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina all have fierce fires.
- “Alabama extended its ban throughout the state, where drought is choking 80 percent of the land, drying up streams and lakes and turning plants to tinder. Firefighters in Alabama have battled more than 1,100 fires that have charred nearly 12,000 acres in the last month.”
Climatologists have reported for years that a warming climate will include more droughts. The facts are: Earth is warming, ice is melting, seas are rising and becoming more acidic, droughts are more prevalent, and farmers and others are suffering. We must quickly cause our policy makers to enact measures that will significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, which result, in large measure, from burning fossil fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas.
David Newton, Auburn, AL
Bios for 2017 Alabama Sierra Club Officers
Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology from the University of Alabama. He retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2004 after a +31-year career spent entirely in the Mobile District Office. His work experience included preparation of National Environmental Policy Act documents and development of plans for both Civil and Military projects. He was the first non-engineer to serve as a Project Manager in the Mobile District. Of his experiences with the Corps, Glen rates his work as the Project Manager on the $93 million Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Wildlife Mitigation Project that included the purchase and development of over 93,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods. Those lands, together with another 90,000 acres of Corps lands were used to create 10 new wildlife management areas in Alabama and Mississippi. The Alabama Wildlife Federation recognized his efforts in 1999 by presenting him with the Governor’s Conservationist of the Year award. Since 2004, Glen has continued to work as an environmental consultant with a number of local and national engineering firms. As a member of the Sierra Club’s Mobile Bay Group, Glen has been very active in pushing the Corps to adequately consider the full environmental impacts that would result from deepening and widening the Mobile Harbor Deep Draft Navigation Project and to making sure information on that project is provided to the concerned public.
Jonathon Meeks
Jonathon Meeks grew up on a cattle farm in Carlisle, Alabama (near Gadsden), and has always been concerned about the environment. He attended the University of Alabama: New College where he studied Spanish and Linguistic Science. He now enjoys organic gardening at his home. Jonathon is a Master Gardener and the nursery specialist at a local garden center where he uses his knowledge to educate the public not only in gardening, but earth friendly practices such as integrated pest management and organic alternatives. Jonathon is an avid kayaker and has paddled on creeks and rivers all over the state and is very concerned about the pressing water issues made apparent by the record breaking drought and temps this year. Jonathon has been on the Coosa Valley Group executive committee for four years and is currently serving as Coosa Valley Chair, who recently hosted the Alabama Sierra Club Fall Retreat. Jonathon has also worked with the Coosa Valley group to put on Earth Day celebrations, fund raisers, and hosts the monthly Coosa Valley Group meeting. Jonathon has also been an at large member of the State Chapter Executive Committee.
Nancy Muse
BA, Art, 1977, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia. N-12 Art Education certification, 1988, University of North Alabama. 1995-present, Elementary Visual Arts Specialist, Lauderdale County Board of Education, Florence, Alabama. Environmental Advocy: Georgia PIRG, 1975. Safe Energy Alliance, charter member 1979-1983. Shoals Member of Sierra Club and Audubon Society since 1980s. Shoals Environmental Alliance, charter member, Vice President/Programs Chair, 2002-2014. Shoals Earth Month, Inc., founder, president, 2006-present, 10 years organizer of the annual Shoals Earth Day Fest. 2007-present, Secretary and past Chair of the Florence Tree Commission. Member of Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, NRDC, National Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, League of Women Voters and others. 2015 recipient of the Wild South Environmental Educator Award, Asheville, NC. Organized public symposia on renewable energy and Smart Growth. Commented at TVA land use and NRC public scoping meetings for 4 decades. Spoke at local city and county meetings on local issues such as sprawl development, landfill violations, city planning studies, & public land preservation on the Muscle Shoals TVA reservation. Helped lead opposition & organized rallies against Tar Sand Mining in North Alabama.
Morgan Pennington
Morgan Pennington has been a member of Sierra Club, as well as the Sierra Student Coalition, since 2014 and a member of the Alabama Chapter ExCom since May 2016. She has demonstrated her passion for the environment & social justice through volunteering, internships, trainings, research, & leadership positions. Morgan is a junior at the University of Montevallo where she studies Environmental Studies. She has volunteered for various organizations, including Tennessee Riverkeeper, Wild South, Flint River Conservation Association, and Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health and Justice. She has also been involved on campus as a member of the Sustainability Committee and Environmental Club. In summer 2014 Morgan attended Sierra Student Coalition’s grassroots leadership training program that teaches tools for environmental and social justice activism to young folks across the country. She is now engaged with the Sierra Student Coalition through their Seize the Grid campaign. Morgan is currently spending a semester in Washington D.C. as an intern at for WE ACT for Environmental Justice in their Federal Policy office. Morgan is most passionate about learning about the intersectionality between environmental and social issues, environmental justice, and grassroots organizing. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career related to grassroots organizing and movement building for environmental and social justice.
Charles Yeager
Charles Yeager, a Birmingham native, received a BA in Urban Environmental Studies in 2010 from Birmingham-Southern College. Afterwards, he spent 2 years as a Field Biologist for NOAA assessing oyster populations along the Gulf following the Deep-water Horizon incident. Since 2012, Charles Yeager has worked as Resident Manager of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (TCNP) in Pinson. In addition to day-to-day maintenance, Charles directs the Preserve’s Environmental Education Programs, which reach over 6,000 people every year. While at TCNP, Charles has worked to champion environmental awareness through restoration projects, municipal partnerships, and community outreach. When not working, Charles enjoys exploring Alabama’s diverse landscape through backpacking, kayaking, and nature photography. Charles is honored to have served on Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club’s State Executive Committee since 2015 and the Cahaba Chapter’s Executive Committee since 2016.
PROCEDURE FOR SENDING MATERIAL TO THE ALABAMA SIERRAN
Many thanks to Roe Hyche, Bob Hastings, and Peggie Griffin for agreeing to be the new newsletter committee.
The newsletter is put together monthly, and material for the newsletter should be sent to plgriffin@comcast.net, with a subject line of "For the Editorial Board" no later than the 15th of the month.
Group newsletter editors may continue sending group meeting information and calendars of events to Joe Watts at joe@joewatts.com, no later than the 25th of each month.
Guidelines for Material:
- The newsletter committee is seeking articles about Alabama environmental issues, articles highlighting Alabama’s special beautiful places, and engaging write-ups about group and chapter activities.
- Articles should be originally written for the Alabama Sierran, factual, and timely.
- A link to another publication should only be used rarely, but if a link is to be used, a full summary of the information (at least a paragraph long) should be written, with the link provided for more detailed information.
- The newsletter committee has the right to make any changes, so that material will meet these guidelines
Sierra Club Events
Cahaba Group
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, 8:00 AM. Pinhoti Hike from CR 600-1 through Porter's Gap Trailhead to Skyline Dr.
Hike with the Cahaba Group of the Sierra Club on the Pinhoti Trail from County Rd -600-1 (307) through Porters Gap Trailhead to Skyline Dr.
It is about 6 miles to Porters Gap and 3 miles to Skyline Drive for a total of about 9 miles. Those who only want to hike 6 miles can leave cars at Porters Gap.
This hike gains a rating of moderate to strenuous. It is NOT a beginner hike. You should be able to maintain a pace of at least 2 or 2.5 mph on varied terrain (with some hills).
Meet at the Bass Pro Shop in Leeds at 8 a.m. or Porters Gap Trailhead at 9 a.m
At the Bass Pro Shop enter through the RV entrance around back, then go to the upper (highest) level parking area.
If you have any questions, please contact Julia at 205-908-0722.
Bring water, snacks and dress for the weather.
Optional lunch at La Posada Mexican Grill near Walmart in Talladega.
Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 6:30 PM. Join us for our Holiday Dinner and Planning Meeting.
This will be an informal gathering at the Red Pearl Restaurant to finalize our schedule for 2017, continue planning the January New Year's social at Cahaba Brewing, and reflect on the last year. We will meet at Red Pearl at 6:30 PM. Super Oriental Market and Red Pearl Restaurant, 243 W Valley Ave., Birmingham.
Saturday, December 17, 2016. 7:30 AM. Pinhoti Challenge monthly hike with Cahaba Sierra Club.
Meet at Bass Pro Shop in the upper parking lot, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Leeds, AL at 7:30 AM. Or meet us at exit 188 off I-20 in front of the Publix at 8:30. We will hike a portion of Section 7 of the Pinhoti Trail. Starting at Cheaha Trailhead, we go north to the CCC Rd. Around 8.3 miles. Bring water, lunch and wear boots. Not a hard or technical hike. We will ask you to sign a Sierra Club waiver.
Typical Monthly meetings - 2nd Thursday every month at 6:00 pm at the Birmingham Zoo Auditorium (building to the right of entrance gate) NOTE: locations do vary, so check the facebook page for the latest information.
Business meeting at 6:00, presentation at 6:30.
Coosa Valley Group
Dec. 8, 6:30 pm –Coosa Valley Sierra Christmas Party and Pot Luck
6:30 pm. Thursday, December 8, 2016. Room 210, Joe M. Ford Center, 405 Korner Dr. (aka East Cardinal Dr.)
Come and enjoy a festive evening with Sierra friends!
Treat yourself to a delicious dinner and have a fun evening playing Green Dirty Santa afterwards.
How do we make it Green? See below - and be creative!
What to Bring:
- Your favorite covered dish (with recipe, if you like)
- A “green” gift for Dirty Santa. Make this Christmas party more sustainable by bringing
- a hand-made or recycled gift.
- A happy spirit.
Directions to the Joe M. Ford Center: From I-59, take the exit for I-759. Follow I-759 until it ends at George Wallace Dr. Turn right,
then take the first left onto East Cardinal Drive. The Joe Ford Center is the first building on the right.
Connect with Sierra Club: By phone |256| 459 8177 (get info, text, leave a message) fb.com/CoosaValleySierraClub
Mobile Bay Group
Tuesday evening, December 6. What: Mobile Bay Sierra Club Monthly Meeting. The Mobile Bay Sierra Club is pleased to host the documentary film, 'Before the Flood'! “Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.”
Before the Flood, presented by National Geographic, features Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, traveling to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. “This documentary shows how interconnected the fate of all humanity is — but also the power we all possess as individuals to build a better future for our planet.”
When: Tuesday evening, December 6th, screening at 7:00 p.m
Holiday Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m.
5 Rivers, Tensaw Theater, Please follow the Sierra Club signs.
(The General Public is invited, No Admission)
Location address: 5 Rivers, Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527
(entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile Bay Causeway).
For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050 or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net
Montgomery Group
Our December Sierra Club Group meeting will be our annual potluck dinner to celebrate the holidays. Please come and help us enjoy this festive occasion. NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION AND TIME.
The December meeting location will be at the Hastings' house in Prattville - 141 N. Northington Street, starting at 6:30 PM, on Thursday, Dec. 15. Come and enjoy Dr. Bob's famous fried turkey, and bring your own potluck dish to share with others. This will also be an opportunity to discuss Sierra Club activities during the past year, and make plans for the coming year.
It would help in our planning for the dinner if you would let Bob know if you plan to attend (bhastings@knology.net
We will also be selecting Group leaders for the coming year. Current Executive Committee members are Bob Hastings, Bob Melczarek, David Norwood, Lynn Shaw, Bob Villafane, and Roger Wolczek. We encourage others (especially our new members) to volunteer to serve in one of these lofty positions. Bob Hastings now serves as Chair and Chapter Delegate, David Norwood is Treasurer, and Roger Wolczek is Outings Leader. We also need a Secretary and Conservation Chair.
And we also need volunteers to help schedule programs (speakers, videos, etc.) for our monthly meetings.
Note that our regular monthly meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month at Aldersgate Methodist Church (Room 25) on Vaughn Road in Montgomery at 7:00 PM, and all are welcome to attend.
North Alabama Group
Christmas Party – Tuesday, Dec 6, Huntsville Public Library. Mark your calendars! The annual Christmas Party for the North Alabama Sierra Club will be Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00pm in the auditorium of the Huntsville Public Library downtown. Please note - Tuesday, not Thursday. The club will provide turkey and ham and beverages. Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share. We welcome vegetable dishes! Add it to your calendar now before you fill it up with all those other holiday gatherings. Note: If you come at 5:00 you can help us set up!
Saturday, December 17 - Monte Sano Hike. Strenuous.
Sure, you have tons of Xmas shopping to finish up… and so much to do to get your house ready for guests… or maybe get packed for that holiday trip, but wouldn’t you rather get outside, stretch your legs, breathe some clean air and talk to some really nice folks? The correct answer is yes, and we’re here to help you out with a 10ish mile and ~600 ft elevation gain hike in the jewel of Huntsville, Monte Sano State Park. With the leaves off the trees, you get a totally different perspective of the Monte Sano trails. We’ll hit some great trails - Goat Trail, Keith Trail, Logans Point, Mountain Mist. If you need an excuse, just tell people you are out hunting mistletoe (no mistletoe will be harmed during this hike). Meet at 9:00am at the Hikers Parking Lot in Monte Sano State Park: 5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801. Dress for the weather (layers) and bring lunch, snacks and water. Thunderstorms Cancel! For more information, contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
West Alabama Group
Sat. 12/10. Perry Lakes Park and Barton's Beach Hike. Come and see the largest sandbar on the Cahaba River (low water levels permitting) and one of the best examples of a cypress-tupelo swamp in Alabama. The walking is easy and flat, except for the viewing tower, which is a refurbished fire tower with an open platform at the top, providing a 360 degree view of the area. Meet at the old Books-A-Million parking lot at 9:00a.m. Lunch will be at a favorite local restaurant in Brent, AL
Thurs. 12/15. 6:30 PM. Xmas Party. Casie Jones's house at 15295 Four Winds Loop Northport 35475
Visit our website for up-to-date info.: http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/west-alabama