January 2018 Outings and Events

Cahaba Group

Thursday, Jan. 11. Explore Wild Alabama January Cahaba Group Meeting
Exploring Wild Alabama is a book recently authored by Ken Wills (also a member of BAG) and Larry Davenport. The book covers the publicly accessible natural areas in Alabama that you can explore by car, canoe, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot. The presentation will cover some of the lesser known natural areas which are featured in the book, followed by a book sale and signing. And if you already own the book, you can bring it with you and get it signed!
Southern Environmental Center (SEC) at Birmingham Southern College (BSC). The address is: 900 Arkadelphia Road Birmingham, Alabama 35126. When you pull on campus, turn left at the guard shack, there are two buildings straight ahead and the SEC is the building on the left. All visitors will need to stop at the guard shack when pulling on campus and inform them that they are there for an event at the Southern Environmental Center.
See link below for campus map (SEC is #1 and the guard shack is #83). There will be a business meeting at 6:00pm followed by the presentation at 6:30pm.

 

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 6:30 pm – Monthly meeting, Soos Webber – Invasive Plants.

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,  January 2. 6 p.m. Screening of "Anthropocene", a feature film by Steve Bradshaw. A Working Group of international scientists is deciding whether to declare a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene – a planet shaped more by mankind than by nature and what this may mean for the future. Its members tell the story of the Anthropocene. With archival footage, award-winning stills and interviews, ANTHROPOCENE proposes a common secular narrative for mankind but leaves viewers to decide how we should write the ending. The film has the blessing of Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen, who coined the term, and is the first feature film about the Anthropocene.

When: Tuesday Evening, January 2nd at 6:00 p.m.

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

Monday, January 1 - Get Rid of the Hangover Hike. Easy. Meet at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr. in Huntsville, at 1:00pm for an afternoon hike in Monte Sano State Park. May include some off-trail hiking and a brief rock-hop. Hot cider and more by the fireplace after the hike. Please bring finger food to share. For more information, please contact Sam Denham at 256-539-1033.

Saturday, January 13 - McKay Hollow Hike and Breakfast. Moderate.
Dutch Oven Breakfast, AKA Hillbilly Quiche followed by Mckay Hollow/Rocky Nightmare Ramble. This 6.5 mile hike will be moderate in difficulty. We will meet at the small pavilion at the lookout in Monte Sano State Park. The hike will last about 2.5 - 3 hours. Breakfast served at 8:30am and the hike starts at 9:00. No cost. Bring water or hydration. There will be a waiver to sign. Questions, contact Steve at covecrawler@gmail.com

Thursday, January 18 from 5:15-6:00pm. Huntsville Sierra Club Wants Your Input! What should the local Sierra Club be doing? Do you have ideas about projects the Club could be working on? Activities you would like to see? We want to hear from you. The executive committee will be having a strategy meeting and we want your input. We will discuss prior activities and successes and plan how we can grow our local club and make it more effective. If you have any ideas, suggestions or criticisms they are welcome as this is the catalyst for the improvement of our club. Any ideas on outreach, memberships, programs and outings are especially welcome. We will be meeting Thursday, January 18 from 5:15-6:00pm at Earth and Stone Pizza, next to Yellowhammer Brewery, in the small meeting room located in the main building. This is on the east end of the Campus 805 complex, 2620 Clinton Ave W in Huntsville. There will be an open meeting from 5:15-6:00pm and then the exectuive committee will meet from 6:00-7:00pm. Please come - we do want to hear from you.

Thank you,  Steve Jackson, , Huntsville Sierra Club Chair

Friday, January 26, 6:00-8:00pm.. Wild & Scenic Film Festival Returns to Huntsville. Did you miss it in November? Alabama Rivers Alliance, Energy Alabama, and Flint River Conservation Association are excited to bring the Wild & Scenic Film Festival BACK to Huntsville on January 26 at Straight To Ale Brewing! Join us for an evening of celebrating the great outdoors through film that will leave you feeling inspired and engaged. The program will feature short films and documentaries highlighting adventures to be had as well as important issues to be addressed. If you were at the November screening, you'll see several NEW films not shown at that screening! Experts from across the state will be on hand to help answer any questions and provide guidance on how you can get involved locally and throughout Alabama. Plus we'll have door prizes! Each ticket includes a membership to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Flint River Conservation Association (FRCA).  Friday, January 26, 6:00-8:00pm. Straight To Ale Brewing, 2610 Clinton Ave NW Huntsville. Tickets will be$10 for general public and $5 for students and military.

Saturday, January 27 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy the winter weather on Huntsville’s jewel. We will explore trails in the State Park on this 6-7 mile hike, experiencing the beauty of the park in winter. 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. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com

The North Alabama Sierra Club meetings start at 6:00pm in the training room of the National Children’s Advocacy Center at 210 Pratt Avenue. This is at the corner of Pratt and Meridian streets. Meetings are free and open to everyone. Come join us! For information call 256-337-9702

West Alabama Group

Thurs. 1/18. 7:00 PM. Monthly meeting. Birding. Dwight Lammon, University Lutheran Church, 911 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
 
Sat. 1/20. Wildlife Viewing at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Come with us on an outing that can only be experienced, in such magnitude, at this time of the year. You should be able to view hundreds of geese and ducks and maybe a couple thousand Sandhill Cranes, and also, maybe a few of the very rare Whooping Cranes! The outing is easy. You may walk 100 yards on a paved path from where you park to the viewing building. Because of the driving distance, we will need to get started early. Meet at the old Books-A-Million lot at 7:30a.m. There is no admission to get in the refuge and there are restrooms. We plan to eat lunch at a restaurant in the area. Because of the driving distance, do not expect to arrive back in Tuscaloosa before 4:00p.m.