Happening Now: On the Bus to the Climate March in Washington, D.C.

Photo credit Summer Salter

Uniontown's Black Belt Citizens hosted AL Sierra Club's Birmingham Inspiring Connections Outdoors for programs on art, environment, and health

On March 31 through April 1, the Black Belt Citizens (BBC) hosted New Beginnings Ministry's (from Brighton, Al) youth group led by Mr and Mrs Battle and the Al Sierra Club's Birmingham ICO program in Uniontown for 2 days of community living and programming. 

BBC's different programs included the following:

• programming of "Writing to Heal" with Salaam Green and the Literary Healing Arts Foundation for art and health;
• lodging with community leaders and touring a family-owned horse farm for education and empowerment;
• documenting the experience with pictures and videos like Portia Takes on the Black Belt (please see her video here);
• including faith leaders and utilizing the sacred space of Quinn Chapel AME Church;

BBC remains committed to fighting for clean air, clean water, protection of sacred space, and more.  BBC will host the AL Sierra Club's Executive Committee in Uniontown in July for programming to educate and connect. Check out our new website or find us on Facebook here.  For more questions, please contact Adam Johnston at bbcfhj.aj@gmail.com.
submitted by Adam Johnston

Forever Wild Under Attack--Act NOW!

On Wednesday of last week, House Bill 502 was voted favorably out of the House State Government committee. Introduced by Rep. Mark Tuggle (R-Alexander City), HB 502 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the Forever Wild Land Trust to pay counties for any lost ad valorem taxes on lands purchased through the program. The bill could go for a vote before the full House as early as Tuesday, May 2. With nine days left in this legislative session, fighting this bill is Conservation Alabama’s top priority. HB 502 starts the clock on the end of future Forever Wild purchases. Learn more from Conservation Alabama.

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

Just 12 miles north of downtown Birmingham, past the ABC Coke plant, the dolomite quarry, and all of the industrial parks of highway 79, lays a little nature preserve, whose bountiful scenery, historical sites, and amazing biodiversity are sure to surprise you! If you have never heard of the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, you are certainly not the only one. This relatively young Preserve (only 8 years old this year), is in some ways just starting to reach the public’s awareness.

Swimming is by far the most popular past time at Turkey Creek. With some of the cleanest water in the state, flowing over amazing cascades, there is no better place to beat the heat than Turkey Creek! In fact last year, the “Falls” at Turkey Creek was ranked as one of the nation’s top natural water slides. If swimming doesn’t float your boat, there are plenty more adventures to be had on Turkey Creek’s 466-acres, such as for hiking (over 6 miles of trails), mountain biking (brand new 3.2 mile trail), and wildlife viewing.

In addition to the incredible scenery, TCNP contains some of the most biologically diverse habitats in this region of Alabama. The waters of Turkey Creek are home to three endangered species of fish: the Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki), the Watercress Darter (Etheostoma nuchale), and the Rush Darter (Etheostoma phytophilum). The Vermilion Darter occurs only in Turkey Creek and nowhere else in the world. Turkey Creek is also home to a threatened bat species (long-eared bat), an endangered bat species (grey bat), a threatened turtle (flattened musk turtle), and an endangered flower (eared cone-flower). The 7 protected species that can be found at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve make it one of the most critical habitats for rare species in the entire country!

Thanks in large part to the generous support of the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club, Turkey Creek’s Environmental Educational programs will be able to expand in 2017. This support will help the Preserve provide unique real world experiences in hands on science to students from all over the state. With the Sierra Club’s assistance, The Turkey Creek Nature Preserve’s native plant nursery, which will provide native plants for restoration and educational efforts throughout central Alabama, will also be expanded.

If you would like to learn more about the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and how you can become involved, please visit: www.TurkeyCreekNP.com and follow us on Facebook!

News from the Alabama Rivers Alliance

#DEFENDRIVERS PADDLE

The #DefendRivers paddle and campaign engages people across Alabama in raising awareness of water issues and communicating their significance to state elected officials and those seeking to become elected officials. This year, the paddle will be held on Saturday, July 8. This annual event provides an opportunity for citizens to *float* their message directly to Alabama’s policy makers and elected officials. Stay tuned for our message — coming soon!

We invite everyone – no matter age or paddling experience! – to join us on the Alabama River in Montgomery for a quick and exciting trip with community members and friends. We will celebrate the natural beauty of this region while insisting our rivers are protected.

MORE INFORMATION: http://alabamarivers.org/?event=defendrivers-paddle-on-the-alabama-river-2

credit: Alabama Rivers Alliance

WRAP UP OF RIVERS OF ALABAMA DAY

River defenders from across the state gathered in Montgomery on Rivers of Alabama Day to tell their elected officials they VOTE, they CARE and they are PAYING ATTENTION! Thank you to everyone who joined us to ask for an Alabama Water Plan!

Those unable to join us helped spread the message throughout the state by calling, writing and otherwise contacting their legislators with the clear message to Defend Alabama’s Rivers!

Make plans now to join us next year on the second Tuesday of April (April 10, 2018) for our annual Lobby/Legislative Day on Rivers of Alabama Day!


photo credit : John Wathen

MOBILE BAY RIVER BASIN NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS

On Rivers of Alabama Day, American Rivers named the Mobile Bay River Basin among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, shining a national spotlight on the threat poor water management poses to the drinking water supplies of millions and the region’s unique natural heritage.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that face a critical decision in the next year,” said Ben Emanuel, Clean Water Supply Director with American Rivers. “For the sake of the region’s clean drinking water, economy and irreplaceable natural heritage, the State of Alabama must stop wasteful water use and adopt a plan for responsible stewardship of these rivers.”

The Mobile Bay, its Delta and the rivers that sustain them– including the Black Warrior, Tombigbee, Alabama, Coosa, Tallapoosa and Cahaba Rivers– are threatened by rampant mismanagement of water resources. Throughout the Basin, river flows are increasingly being altered in an effort to accommodate excessive use and consumption. In Alabama, which is responsible for the vast majority of the watershed, the state does not measure or manage the use of water at all. In 2016, Alabama’s mismanagement of water resources throughout the summer resulted in over ten percent of the watershed’s streams setting new record low flows due to unchecked water consumption and a failure to address water shortages at the state level. As droughts and over consumption have increased in recent years, the State of Alabama has been too slow to act. Click here for more information.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

RENEW ALABAMA CONFERENCE TO SHINE A LIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Countering a national agenda which seeks to divide us will require us to discover our shared values. Renew Alabama is a new coalition united under a common banner of social, environmental, and climate justice. Grounded in our shared humanity, experiences and faith, we are calling on community leaders and elected officials throughout Alabama to shift the paradigm.

On May 6, 2017, partner organizations will come together to host the inaugural Renew Alabama Conference. The free, full-day workshop will take place at The Edge of Chaos on the University of Alabama Birmingham campus. Participants will explore the link between social and environmental justice, how climate change will exacerbate many of these historic wrongs, and what we can do to build a more just and sustainable future. learn more here.

Outings and Events