October 2017 Outings

Thursday, Oct. 12 @ 6:00 pm.
The October Meeting of the Cahaba Group will focus on a discussion of the activities of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Committee in Alabama. We will be meeting at the Desert Island Supply Co. on 1st Avenue North in Woodlawn. There will be a business meeting at 6:00pm, and the discussion with Beyond Coal Committee members will begin at 6:30pm.  Join us!

Saturday Oct. 21. Pinhoti Challenge Dayhike.
We will hike from Cleburne County Hwy. 94 (near the Chief Ladiga Campground) northward to U.S. Hwy. 278. At about 7.7 miles, elevations range from 850 feet (beside Terrapin Creek) to 1600 feet – crossing Maxwell Gap, Augusta Mine Ridge, and Lanie Gap before terminating at the High Point trailhead. Located in the northeastern part of the state near Piedmont. Maybe we will see some early color on the trees...
This hike is part of Section 12 of the AL Pinhoti trail, and gains a rating of strenuous due to the many changes and unevenness in terrain.
Make sure to bring a camera. Hiking boots a necessity, as well as plenty of water and a picnic lunch. Optional dinner afterwards.
We are meeting at 7:30 am at the Bass Pro Shop and then again at 8:30 am at the Oxford Target in Oxford/Anniston area. We will leave the Target parking lot at 8:45. For more info email: kennethhyche@yahoo.com or call 205-540-3930..

 

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

Oct.  12, 6:30 pm.  Invasives – Soos Webber. Joe Ford Center, 405 E. Cardinal Dr., Gadsden.

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, October 3 at 6:00 p.m.

FilmMakers' Presentation and Screening of 'The Mystical Migration of the Monarch'
Fairn Whatley and Suzanne Damrich are two local women who wrote, directed, filmed, edited and produced an award winning documentary (2017 Cinema Verde Environmental Film Festival). The Mystical Migration of the Monarch is the story of the Monarch butterfly, her migration, vanishing habitat, and unique relationship to America's Gulf Coast. In 1996, the butterfly population of the Monarch Butterfly was estimated at one billion. The 2013-2014 population plummeted to 33 million, the lowest ever since measuring.

The main culprit for this precipitous decline is the huge increase in land planted with genetically modified herbicide resistant crops. Relentless spraying of glyphosate herbicides has destroyed the once abundant milkweed, the only plants that monarch caterpillars can eat. The monarch butterfly is literally being starved to death.
Voluntary donations will be accepted and will go toward continuing to film and educate about the plight of the Monarch butterfly, its vanishing habitat, restoring habitat, and saving this ancient migration.

Refreshments will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 5 River, Tensaw Theater, follow the Sierra Club signs.
(The General Public is invited, No Admission)
Location address: 5 River, 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

The Montgomery Group meets monthly on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Room 25, at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery (next to St. James School).

North Alabama Group

For the program in October, Phyllis Light will discuss the traditional medicinal uses of common native plants, both woodland and field, and their role in promoting good health. She believes that it is important to preserve traditional ecological knowledge which underscores the importance of habitat conservation. For example, the traditional harvesting of wild ginseng is embedded with rituals and activities that insure that wild harvesting doesn’t exceed sustainable levels. Understanding native plants and their traditional helps folks of all ages connect with their local natural environment and fosters respect for the land and traditional knowledge. Phyllis is a fourth generation Southern Appalachian Folk herbalist and carries on the knowledge of her family and other folk herbalists in the area.

 

Saturday, October  21 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy autumn on Huntsville’s jewel. We will explore 6-7 miles of trails in the State Park. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance.  Dress for the weather and bring water and a snack. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am; the hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain Cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com

 

Saturday, October 28 - A Spirited Adventure at Lake Guntersville State Park. Strenuous.
Join Charlie and me for a 12-mile hike on a series of interior trails which include distant views of the Lake and fun trivia chatter about two different Park 'spirits.' Group size is limited. Bring water, snacks, lunch, bug spray and wear good hiking shoes/dress for the weather. To reserve your spot and for more meeting location and time contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com before Wednesday, October 25.  Rain cancels.