Alabama Water Rally
The Alabama Rivers Alliance is grateful for the continued support from the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club as a title sponsor of Alabama Water Rally. Alabama Water Rally is the annual conference of the Alabama Rivers Alliance. This is the premier educational, networking and celebratory event for Alabamians interested in protecting clean, healthy water. In 2017, we will be celebrating our 20th year as a statewide organization and our theme will be Reconnecting as we reconnect to each other, to our organization’s history, and learn about the important ways we can reconnect rivers and people.
Each year Alabama Water Rally brings more than 100 individual attendees from a variety of backgrounds together to share, network, and learn — and celebrate our 132,000 miles of rivers and streams. Participants receive professional development training from experts, in the areas of science, policy, and organizational development, on the newest ideas and most pressing issues facing our environment. Evening social events provide an opportunity to network, get to know each other, and find much-needed moral support for the hard work of defending rivers in Alabama.
The 2017 Alabama Water Rally features speakers from around the region on important issues, such as endangered species, pipelines, sewage, protecting flows, energy and water, communications, and effective use of volunteers. In addition to these informative workshops, there will be a networking evening for organizations. Last, but not least, the Rally will close with an opportunity to build a vision for the future of our movement through the eyes of the next generation of emerging environmental leaders and to explore the great outdoors of beautiful Camp McDowell through four field trip opportunities, including a guided hike by the Cahaba Group’s own Ken and Roe Hyche. Registration and more information can be found at www.alabamarivers.org
Annual Appeal from Alabama Sierra Club
Once a Year, during the month of March, Alabama Chapter Sierra Club fundraises for our Alabama environmental work!!!
As a Sierra Club member and supporter, you already know that assaults on Alabama’s environment seem to be without end. Our state parks are underfunded, our coastline is suffering, and our waterways are under constant pressure from polluting industries. But thanks to dedicated supporters like you, the Alabama Chapter Sierra Club continues to advocate for environmental protection even as the political environment presents steep challenges.
March is the only month the Alabama Chapter Sierra Club can directly fundraise to all of our membership for donations that stay in the state for environmental work in Alabama. Please take this opportunity to give $30, $50, $100 or more to support our local advocacy.
With your help, the Alabama Chapter Sierra Club pursues its goals by lobbying and monitoring the state legislature on conservation-related bills and resolutions with potential negative impact on the environment and public health; advocating to our administrative agencies; educating our members and the public through outreach; and writing and publishing papers regarding issues. With your help, we fight for environmental justice, clean air, clean water, renewable energy, preserving wild areas, and expanding public lands in Alabama.
We persistently challenge environmentally destructive activities—all while pursuing protective solutions. Here are just some examples of recent challenges and accomplishments:
- Protecting Alabama’s State Parks! Our state parks and public lands are too important to our communities to be victims of the state’s budget crisis. Your Sierra Club voice helped saved ten state parks from closure and defeated a bill that would have ended the purchase of new lands from the Forever Wild Land Trust. In November, Alabama voters passed Amendment Two: State Park Funding, with 80% of the vote, permanently protecting funding for Alabama’s state parks. Now state parks will be able to keep the money they earn. The amendment will end the legislature’s ability to appropriate funds earned by state parks and move those funds to be spent elsewhere.
- Restoring Coastal Resources by advocating that the BP Oil Disaster settlement funds be spent on projects that restore our deep-water gulf, fisheries, wetlands, reefs, barrier islands, and communities directly impacted from the spill. Industries causing coastal wetland loss and ongoing environmental disasters must pay for the damage they’re causing to our coastal resources and communities.
- Protecting Drinking Water by restoring and protecting Alabama’s rivers and waterways. With partners, we advocate a smart water policy for Alabama, and better enforcement with agency coordination. Alabama is second in the nation for release of cancer-causing chemicals into its rivers and streams. First in the nation for total reproductive toxins released. Specific watersheds of concern include the Tennessee River, Lower Tombigbee River, Wheeler Lake, Mobile River, and the Lower Alabama River. What’s more, toxic dumping in Alabama is on the increase.
- Protecting Air Quality by publicly recommending strategic air monitoring and tougher safeguards on toxic pollution. Coal and oil-fired power plants, pulp and paper manufacturing, and chemical companies are the biggest industrial toxic air polluters in Alabama, putting the health and future of Alabama children and families at risk.
- Rejecting Needless Privately Owned Pipelines by advocating to protect Alabama’s farmland, private landowners, natural areas, and rivers and streams from high-risk pipelines. Even before pipeline approval, Alabama farmers and landowners have been threatened with land repossession by eminent domain. Certain private industries can come in and take part of your property in the name of “industrial development,” even if the industry is destructive and puts public health at risk. Our waters, wetlands, communities and forests are at risk.
- Promoting Alternative Energy Options! The Alabama Chapter promotes the transitional vital steps toward Alabama becoming a leader in renewable energy production. We are calling for Alabama to transition away from destructive industries to a clean energy economy.
- Striving to end petrochemical pollution in the Gulf of Mexico, because of major adverse effects! We are working to expand the bans that have stopped offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Ocean shores of the U.S. But drilling leases are spreading wider and deeper across the Gulf of Mexico, which is becoming a petro energy sacrifice zone unless the Gulf Coast gains protections like the other coasts have received. Over 50,000 wells have been drilled in the Gulf. About 27,000 of them are now abandoned, many not securely sealed and leaking crude into the water.
None of our important work would be possible without generous donations from people like you. Please invest in our work with a gift of $30, $50, $100 or more to the Alabama Chapter today. To give online, visit our paypal donate button below! You can donate without having a Paypal account.
Click the donate button below to make a secure, online donation using PayPal. You don't need a PayPal account to use this option.
Note: Contributions, gifts, and dues to the Sierra Club-Alabama Chapter are not tax deductible. They support our effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts here in Alabama. Thank you in advance for supporting the Sierra Club's conservation programs in Alabama.
To give by check, please make your check payable to Sierra Club Alabama Chapter.
Return mailing address:
Alabama Chapter Sierra Club
c/o Ida Gleaton
3201 Argonne Forest Lane
Duncanville, Alabama 35456-2140
We are all volunteers that care about protecting Alabama’s water from pollution, keeping Alabama’s air clean and breathable, keeping our food healthy, protecting our natural areas and wildlife and transitioning to clean and renewable energy. With your assistance, we can continue our statewide grassroots efforts; we cannot do it without you.
We sincerely and graciously appreciate your donation!
Carol Adams-Davis
Fundraising Chair, Alabama Chapter Sierra Club Executive Committee
P.S. 100% of this contribution stays in Alabama to fight for clean water, clean air, and protecting special places that we love. You can make a big difference by giving today.
Letters to the Editor by David Newton
On February 8, several representatives of the Climate Leadership Council, who are high ranking Republican statesmen from previous administrations, met with White House officials to present a proposal to address climate change. The plan would employ a market based national carbon fee which would be rebated quarterly to every American. For years, similar plans have been endorsed by many economists, by some leading climate scientists, and by many others, e.g., the Citizens Climate Lobby. In view of the dramatic decline in prices of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, such resources are competitive with coal in many markets. This should result in less resistance to the use of renewable energy, especially if any fee added to fossil fuels is rebated to citizens.
In addition, a market based plan can help mitigate the global climate changes we are experiencing. If there is still doubt that a move away from fossil fuels is urgently needed, talk to the people of Miami Beach who are spending $400 million on infrastructure to keep sea water and fish out of their streets, and ultimately their homes and businesses. It is time to urge policy makers, e.g., elected representatives, to act. Find their contact information by entering “my elected officials” into your computer’s search engine, e.g., Google. Please don’t delay. Do it NOW!
David Newton
336 Carter St.
Auburn, AL 36830
Alabama Sierra Club Has a New Facebook Page
For the last few years, we've had a relatively lively Facebook Group on Facebook. In order to take advantage of the some of the options Facebook provides for nonprofit pages, we've added a new Alabama Sierra Club page. Please consider visiting the link and liking our new page!
Sierra Club Waterfalls hike. Sougahoagdee Falls
Cahaba Group explores Bankhead National Wilderness Area.
Coosa Valley Group Goes Eagle Watching
On Saturday, February 11, nine Coosa Vallians took off to Guntersville to see the eagles. The wanna-be eagle watchers included Cenda and Charlie Price, Diahanne McBride, Jerry and Mary Owensby, Anona Aderholdt, John Basnett, Lindsey Best, Gwendolyn Griffin, and Peggie Griffin.
The group met Paul and Eva Franklin at the Guntersville Lodge and took off to the Guntersville Dam area. Paul is a very knowledgeable ornithologist, who is familiar with the area. He assured everyone that eagles would be sighted. And he was right! Paul did a great job of taking us to a couple of places where we would be successful in our search. How exciting to see these magnificent birds soaring overhead! The group also saw an eagle nest and other birds which Paul identified. Following lunch at the Guntersville lodge, the group enjoyed a birds of prey presentation sponsored by the Guntersville State Park.
Sierra Club Hitched: COMING UP THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 26
- Some time in the next week, President Trump is expected to issue new executive orders that will undermine the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) initiatives of the Obama administration. The CPP protects health and the environment by cleaning up dirty power plants, and WOTUS protects rivers and wetlands from pollution and destruction. The Sierra Club is planning a rapid response rally outside the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC, with a broad array of voices as well as a teletown hall with Michael Brune and others. Digital engagement and social media and press outreach are all planned. Contact Melinda Pierce, Mary Anne Hitt, John Coequyt, Bob Bingaman, or Marie Bergen.
- Also expected in the next week is a Senate floor vote on the confirmation of anti-environmental nominee Ryan Zinke to be Interior Secretary. Zinke stands for rolling back protection of public lands, opposition to new national monuments, expanded dirty fuel leasing and development on public lands, and undermining the Endangered Species Act. The Sierra Club will lobby senators to oppose the nomination and then follow up with a rally outside the Department of the Interior on Zinke's first day. The rally will be accompanied by the release of photos and video from an illumination project, and other media and social media outreach urging Secretary Zinke not to reverse the new Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Contact Colleen Sarna, Andy Wilson, or Ginny Cramer.
- Over the next two months the Sierra Club will be focused on building broad nationwide support for participation in the People's Climate March on April 29. There will be a call with all chapters on March 1 to organize support for participation both in Washington, DC, and in distributed events in every state. Contact Maura Cowley.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST WEEK
- YOU DON'T KNOW JOHN- New EPA administrator Scott Pruitt quoted John Muir in his first speech. Come on now, Scott. Come on.
- CLIMATE PARENTS FOR THE WIN- High five to Sierra Club Climate Parents! First of all, staffer John Friedrich attended his congressman's town hall meeting in Sonora last week and got the rep to agree (after some heated questioning) to meet with climate scientists!
- Secondly - a huge CONGRATS to the Climate Parents' team for its action against a bill in South Dakota that would've taught fake science about climate. The bill was defeated in a panel!
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
National Club Election Is Underway
A Democratic Sierra Club Demands Grassroots Participation. The annual election for the Club's Board of Directors is now underway. Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will receive in the mail (or by Internet if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot in early March. This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on the Club's web site. Your participation is critical for a Strong Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. The Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Club levels is a major membership obligation. In a typical year less than 10% of eligible members vote in the Board elections. A minimum of 5% is required for the elections to be valid. Our grassroots structure is strengthened when our participation is high. Therefore your participation is needed in the voting process.
How can I learn about the candidates? Members frequently state that they don't know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more.
Each candidate provides a statement about themselves and their views on the issues on the official election ballot. You can learn more by asking questions of your group and chapter leadership and other experienced members you know. You can also visit the Club's election web site for additional information about candidates:
http://www.sierraclub.org/board/election
Then make your choice and cast your vote! Voting Online is Quick and Easy! Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, we encourage you to use the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, please note your ballots must be received by no later than Election Day, April 26, 2017
Spring Has Sprung (EARLY, EARLY, EARLY)
“While these earlier springs might not seem like a big deal – and who among us doesn’t appreciate a balmy day or a break in dreary winter weather -- it poses significant challenges for planning and managing important issues that affect our economy and our society,” said Dr. Jake Weltzin, a USGS ecologist and the executive director of the USA-NPN. Learn more here.
Stand With Bears Ears
(from the Alt National Park Service)
Governor of Utah calls on Trump to revoke Bears Ears National Monument.The Bears Ears National Monument was established by former President Barack Obama during the final days of his presidency. Now, Republicans are working to get rid of it. Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed a resolution challenging the monument. The bill was sent to him by the state's senate. It calls on President Donald J. Trump to rescind the national monument status from Bears Ears. This land is protected by the Antiquities Act which was originally signed by Teddy Roosevelt. It grants the president power to establish national monuments to protect ancient artifacts and ruins. The Bears Ears National Monument established protection of 1.3 million acres surrounding a pair of buttes in southeastern Utah. Much of the land, which borders Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is considered sacred by local Native American Tribes, including the Navajo Nation, Hopi, Ute Mountain Ute, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation and the Pueblo of Zuni. #STANDWITHBEARSEARS
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
Outings and Events
Cahaba Group
Sat. March 4. Waterfalls of the Talladega National Forest. Join us as we make the rounds to see several of the waterfalls in the Talladega National Forest. This will be a repeat of the same waterfall tour we did last March. Some of you may have also participated in one of the Talladega NF Waterfall hikes that Jay Hudson led several years ago. We’ll retrace the same route when visiting these waterfalls. We’ll hit up Hopeful Falls, Salt Creek Falls, Devil’s Den Falls, Cheaha Falls, High Falls and Shinbone Falls. This hike gains a rating of strenuous due to the unevenness in terrain at each falls, even though we’ll drive from falls to falls. Total hiking distance will be 6 to 8 miles depending on the exact route we're able to take. Some of the falls will require some bushwhacking and scrambling. Be prepared for stream or creek crossings that most likely will require getting your feet wet so bring a change of clothes and shoes in case they're needed. Make sure to bring a camera. Hiking boots highly recommended. Bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch. We will meet at the Bass Pro Shop in Leeds at 7:30 a.m. Emailhaywardnwarren@yahoo.com or call 205-767-0058 for more info.
Sat., March 11. Pinhoti Challenge w/ Cahaba Sierra Group. We will hike from Burns Trailhead (in the Talladega National Forest on Alabama 55 in Piedmont) to FSR 500 thru Dugger Mountain Wilderness. This is not a beginner hike due to elevation change and distance (8.6 miles). Bring water, lunch, and wear boots. Some water crossings (no bridges) and the usual Pinhoti rocks. This is an all day hike. We usually stop off at Mellow Mushroom on the way home. Plan you ride options accordingly. Questions 205-901-8367. You will be asked to sign a Sierra Club waiver. Hike Leader Doris Hatch. Meet at Bass Pro Shop I-20, Exit 140 @ 7 AM or Panera Bread 1-20, Exit 188 at 8 AM.
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.
For many Sierra Club, Cahaba Group outings (plus some non-Sierra Club outings), check out the Birmingham Adventure Group on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/BirminghamAdventureGroup/
Coosa Valley Group
Thurs., March 9, 6:30, Joe M. Ford Center. Stephen Guesman, Geology of the Locust Fork and North Alabama. Refreshments served. 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.
Thurs., April 13, 6:30, Joe M. Ford Center. Peggy Hill of the Save Smith Lake Coalition and also writer for The Alabama Gardener. Learn tips to maintain your lawn and garden in an eco-friendly way. Topics include fertilization, pest control, irrigation, plant selection and more.
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, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. What: Screening of 'Mother Nature's Child' followed by Q&A with Brinkley Hutchings of Nature Connect Alabama, a new outdoor education program in our area.
Mother Nature's Child explores nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents. The film marks a moment in time when a living generation can still recall childhoods of free play outdoors; this will not be true for most children growing up today. The effects of “nature deficit disorder” are now being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
Mother Nature’s Child asks the questions: Why do children need unstructured time outside? What is the place of risk-taking in healthy child development? How is play a form of learning? Why are teachers resistant to taking students outside? How can city kids connect with nature? What does it mean to educate the ‘whole’ child?
When: Tuesday evening, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.
Please don't miss this powerful documentary and the chance to hear about the new local outdoor program called Nature Connect Alabama!
Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Please forward this invitation to any interested people or groups. Please also share the facebook event.
Where: 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
Sat. 3/11. Providence Canyon State Park, GA. This very scenic and colorful canyon is best viewed when the foliage is minimal. We will hike to the bottom of the canyon and explore several side canyons covering 4-5 miles maximum. Expect to walk in shallow water. Wear good hiking shoes and bring trail snacks and water. Rated moderate. Meet 8 AM at the north entrance to Chantilly Walmart on Hwy 110 just south of I-85, Exit 11. The drive is about 2 hours, plus we lose an hour going in Eastern Time Zone. $5 parking fee required.
Thursday, March 16. Monthly Meeting. Our next meeting of the Sierra Club Montgomery Group at 7:00 PM at our usual meeting site in Room 25 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery (next to St. James School). Outings Leader Roger Wolczek will show a video and discuss his recent travels in the Adirondacks of New York state.
Sat. 4/01. Cheaha Wilderness Day Hike, AL. We will hike the ridgeline south of Mount Cheaha State Park for about a 7 mile round trip. Wear good hiking shoes since the trail is quite rocky. Bring trail snacks and at least 2 liters of water. Rated moderate. Meet 8 AM at the Hwy 231 Winn Dixie just south of Wetumpka. The drive is about 2 hours. Free.
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.
General Note: Saturday outings may take all day and last into early evening. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling to save fuel, but please be prepared to drive your own car on club outings.
North Alabama Group
Saturday, February 25 - Monte Sano Winter Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy this Jewel of Huntsville on a 6-7 mile winter walk in the woods. We will explore trails in the State Park. Experiencing the park in a very different way than spring and summer hikes. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am - the hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
West Alabama Group
Thurs. 3/16. 7:00 PM. Monthly meeting. Update on PARA Parks in Tuscaloosa County, Gary Minor, PARA, University Lutheran Church, 911 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Sat. 3/18. Hike: PARA Parks Tuscaloosa County – Bamboo Park, Van de Graaff Park, Sokol Park. Details to come.
Visit our website for up-to-date info.: http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/west-alabama