June 2018 Outings

June 4, 2018

Cahaba Group

Thursday, June 14, 6:30-8:00 pm. Join us to hear iNaturalist guru John Friel. iNaturalist works on both Android and Apple devices. 
 
John Friel is the Director of the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History. This program will provide an overview of iNaturalist, and how it can best be used for existing projects or new projects designed by the participants in this course. It will combine an introductory presentation about iNaturalist as well as a hands-on session where participants can use the iNaturalist app on their own smart devices. In addition to learning about the nuts and bolts of the iNaturalist platform, participants will also receive instruction on best practices that will facilitate identifications of unknown plants and animals, and improve the quality and utility of their iNaturalist observations.
Location: Hoover Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216.

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

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,  June 5. 6 p.m. Monthly Program. A REVIEW AND PROSPECTS, MOBILE CONFRONTS A DISASTER IN WAITING Presented by W. Wertelecki, M.D., Former Professor and Chair of Medical Genetics, University of South Alabama Medical School“Coal Ash is More Radioactive than Nuclear Waste” (Scientific American) When coal is burned into fly ash, radioactive elements uranium and thorium are concentrated at up to 10 times their original levels. Fly ash emitted by a power plant carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of energy. Currently, coal ash disposal sites are not monitored for radioactivity. The largest volume of coal ash waste goes into holding ponds and landfills. We don't know how much of these contaminants are released to the environment, and how they affect human health in areas where coal ash ponds and landfills are leaking.

Presentation and Discussion by Keith Johnston, Managing Attorney, for Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)! Keith will talk about SELC’s experiences with coal ash throughout the southeast.  He’ll also cover the federal CCR rules and ADEM’s proposal for a CCR permitting program (CCRs, Coal Combustion Residuals, commonly known as coal ash, from coal-fired power plants). Keith will also discuss what’s happening at various coal ash sites in Alabama, including the Barry Plant in Bucks, Mobile County.
Every major river in Alabama has coal-fired power plants with unlined leaking pits on its banks filled with coal ash. Coal ash contains high levels of arsenic, lead, mercury and many other poisons, as well as radioactivity.
SELC’s six-year legal effort to protect rivers, streams, groundwater, and drinking water sources from coal ash rose to national prominence following the devastating spill on the Dan River. In South Carolina, a combination of legal action and public pressure from SELC prompted all three of the state’s major utilities to clean up all of their leaking, unlined coal ash pits on South Carolina’s rivers - a historic accomplishment for clean water in South Carolina 

When: Tuesday Evening, June 5th 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 Rivers, Tensaw Theater, follow the Sierra Club signs.

For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050 or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net
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

These trips can change at any time, so contact Roger Wolczek, 334-361-7354, rwolczek@knology.net, for the latest information.

Sat. 6/23.  Hike Tumbling Rock Cave, Scottsboro AL.  This trip is an introduction to caving and will be the only time I will offer it.  No rope work is required, but you will get dirty.  Hard hats and head lamps are required.  I will provide more information later.  Rated moderate.  Meet 7 AM at the entrance to the Prattville Target, just west of I-65, Exit 179.  The drive is over 3 hours.  There is a $10 fee to access the cave.  If you are interested, let me know at least a month in advance. 

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.

Note:  Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver, and you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate

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

Tuesday, June 5 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy. 
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com
 
Saturday, June 9 - Blevins Gap Hike and a Hot Dog. Easy.
Frances Akridge Meet and Greet. Join us for a 5 mile hike along the ridge on the Land Trust Blevins Gap Preserve. This will be an out and back hike with views of both Jones Valley and Hampton Cove. After the hike we will have a hot dog grill in the parking lot provided by Huntsville City Council Candidate, Frances Akridge. This will be a great opportunity to get some exercise, enjoy some beautiful views, and talk with Frances about her vision for Huntsville. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, and snacks. The hike leaves at 10:00am sharp, Hot dogs will start around noon. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Blevins Gap Preserve, 3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr. SE, Huntsville , AL. Questions, contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 12. Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.  
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
 
Saturday, June 16 - Canoe/Kayak and Off-Trail Hike. Moderate.
We will canoe/kayak from Hwy 72 access to Little Cove Road, approx. 5 miles. We will stop to visit a small local cave, then do lunch riverside with an optional hike (one quarter mile off trail and steep) to the top of Sublets Bluff with a great view of northern Madison County. If you plan to do the off trail hike, foliage may be thick so you may wish to bring lightweight long pants or zip off’s if you are sensitive to poison ivy. Dutch Oven Breakfast serving about 12 people - first come, first serve, no cost! We will meet at NACK (North Alabama Canoe and Kayak) on the corner of Moontown Road and Hwy 72. They have rentals if you do not have a boat. I recommend them and they will put you in and pick you up. Breakfast at 8:30am, depart for river at 9:00am. We will leave promptly at 9:00 so get there early, between 8:00-8:30, to rent a boat if you if you need one. Trip is rated easy to moderate and will last about 3.5 hours. Contact Steve Jackson – covecrawler@gmail.com or (256)337-9702. Contact NACK if you have questions about rentals (256) 529-0357. NACK - 1143 Moontown Rd. Brownsboro, AL 
 
Tuesday, June 19 - Monte Sano Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.   
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
 
Tuesday, June 26 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.  
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com
 
Saturday, June 30 - Stone Door Hike. Strenuous.
We will meet at the Publix parking area on Winchester Road at 8:30am, before driving to the trailhead (approx 1.5 hour drive). Carpooling recommended. This 10-mile hike is strenuous with challenging elevation changes into and out of the canyon. Bring water and a snack. The Great Stone Door is a very interesting geological feature. It is basically a very large crack in the rock cliff overlooking the Savage Gulf area of South Cumberland State Park. We will visit Laurel Falls, then descend into the Gulf via the Stone Door, visiting beautiful Ranger Falls and then following Big Creek Trail and returning on the Rim Trail. On the return trip we will have an optional stop at a local restaurant to eat. Contact Steve Jackson – covecrawler@gmail.com or (256)337-9702. Rain cancels.  Publix Supermarket - Winchester Plaza 2246 Winchester Rd. NE Huntsville, AL

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

Check the West Alabama Group page here for the latest details!