Celebrate Earth Day!
Huntsville - Saturday, April 18, from 10 am – 2 pm. Come join the Sierra Club and dozens of other exhibitors for Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve on Hwy 431 south of Hampton Cove. Come early if you want to join the birding Hike with John Ehinger which begins at 8 am - and don't forget your binoculars.
There will be more than 70 earth-friendly exhibitors and vendors who will have informative exhibits and demonstrations throughout the day.
- Mass butterfly releases at 11am & 1pm
- Exhibits on having a more energy-efficient home, solar power and electric vehicles
- Get up close to an owl, snakes, gopher tortoise and more as you learn about wildlife in Alabama from the Coosa River Science
Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy healthy fare which will be available for purchase at the Preserve.
Athens -Saturday, April 25th, 10am - 3pm at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens, Alabama. Lots of exhibitors will be on hand to share information on the environment, earth-friendly products and services, outdoor activities, and healthy living.
- The Coosa River Science School who will bring a variety of raptors and share information regarding these amazing birds of prey. The staff have been sharing environmental education programs since 1994.
- The Tennessee Valley Zoo will join the event this year and will bring 10 to 15 animals with them. Critters will include a calf, goats, sheep, alpacas, llama, a wallaby, and porcupine. to care about the environment in which they live.
http://www.keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com/
Muscle Shoals/Florence - Saturday, April 4. 10am - 5pm at Wilson Park in Florence. Exhibitors, lectures and music all day. Bring a picnic, blanket, lawn chairs, friends and family for a day of fun and information to celebrate the 45th annual Earth Day!
- Green Magic Show at 11:00 by Steve Trash
- Music by Max Russell and the Shakedown Kings, The Wildwood Ruminators, Kate Taylor Hunt the “Fiddlin’ Violinist," Blind the Sky and David Walton
- Presentations include Solar Energy Facts, Organic Gardening and Herbal Remedies, Getting to know The Sipsey Wilderness, Preserving Alabama's Rich Biodiversity, Solar Energy for Your Home and Business, Proposed NW Alabama Tar Sand Mining Issues and Concerns, Yurt Living, and Bee Keeping.
http://www.shoalsearthmonth.com/
Electronics Recycling Day
Do you want to dispose of the old electronics cluttering up your house in a responsible way? On your way to Earth Day, take advantage of free document shredding, hard drive destruction, electronics recycling and prescription medication disposal, all at the Redstone Federal office on Wynn Drive.
The parking lot will be set up to provide drive-thru style services. Just hand your items through the window or pop your trunk, and volunteers will take your items and destroy or recycle them securely-- no need for you to even get out of your car!
Items you can bring for recycling:
- PCs, laptops, tablets, dvd players, digital clocks, cameras and accessoriessuch as keyboards, mice, speakers, cables and connectors, batteries, webcams and modems
- Small appliancessuch as shredders, printers, blenders, hair dryers and flat irons
- Up to three bags or boxes of documents for shredding
- Prescription or over the counter medications
Please note that this recycling effort cannot handle the old tube-style CRT monitors, microwaves, light bulbs or hazardous materials.
Recycling will take place from 8:30am - noon on Saturday, April 18 in the parking lot of Redstone Federal Credit Union at 220 Wynn Drive NW. From I-565, take the Sparkman Dr exit to Madison Pike.
Sierra Club Meetings for 2015
Mark your calendars for meetings of the North
Alabama Sierra Club. Meetings start at 6:00pm and will be 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. The North Alabama Sierra Club meets quarterly and meetings are open to everyone. Come join us!
-May 21 – Darryl Patton, Wilderness Survival and Medicinal/Edible plants in the woods.
-August 20 - Adam Johnston, Alabama Rivers Alliance
-November 19 - Program to be determined
-December - Holiday Party. This will be held in the auditorium of the public library downtown.
Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online
On our website: http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254833822112/
Outings
Hike Ratings
Easy - Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate - 5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.
Strenuous - Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change, rocky, obstructed or nonexistent trail.
Exploratory - any event where the leader has not experienced the event; may fit any class above.
Note. Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver.
Tuesday, March 31 - 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 David Jackson at 256-603-9081.
Saturday, April 4 - Walls of Jericho Dayhike. Strenuous.
The Walls of Jericho is a large, bowl-shaped natural amphitheater that shoots water out of holes and cracks in the canyon wall during times of high water flow. This is a unique area that consists of more than 21,000 acres of rivers, forested uplands and caves spreading across the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This beautiful tract, which was once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, contains an extraordinarily diverse array of plants and animals. The hike is approximately 8 miles with a 1000 foot elevation gain. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet at 9:00am at the Publix in Hampton Cove. For more information contact Tom Burley at tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net RAIN CANCELS
Tuesday, April 7 - 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 Pete Luther at pluther@knology.net
Wednesday, April 8 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy.
Good hike for beginners and those interested in a slower paced hike. Depart at 6:00pm from the Monte Sano State Park hiker’s parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash. Hike will be around 3 miles. For directions or questions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Saturday, April 11 - A Hike in Time: The CCC at Monte Sano State Park. Strenuous.
Join us for a historical adventure that will take us from the plateau of the mountain to its base and back up, an approximately 8-10 mile hike. We'll be going down the majority of the mountain by way of trails and returning off-trail using a streambed, the mountain, and stairs. En route, we'll talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps, their role in developing the Park, and look at remnants of their work. Bring snacks, lunch, water and a few bucks for the Park's entrance fee. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet in the Hikers' parking lot on top of Monte Sano at 9:00am. Contact Charlie 256-361-3837 or charlie.cohen@att.net or Sandy at sandykip@otelco.net, for more information. RAIN CANCELS.
Sunday, April 12 - Stephen's Gap Callahan Cave Preserve hike. Moderate.
Featured in National Geographic magazine, Stephen's Gap Cave in Jackson County is an explorer's dream. Recently purchased by the Southeastern Cave Conservancy to preserve it in its wild state for future generations to enjoy, the fairly short hike (.8 mile) to the Cave is in bloom with wildflowers. Close to the cave we will get a view of a waterfall flowing into the "pit." To access the 'walk-in' entrance, we will descend a slope of rock which can be muddy. The cave floor continues a downward slope which must be approached with caution as it's wet. But once inside, we'll be rewarded with spectacular waterfalls, a rushing stream, and for the keen eye, embedded fossils. Outside the Cave, we'll continue uphill to see more of the property which might include yet another waterfall. This outing is limited in participant number and requires a permit. Special arrangements have been made. If you do sign up, please commit to showing as you are taking a spot. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Sandy at sandykip@otelco.net
Sunday, April 12 - Monte Sano Early Afternoon Hike. Easy.
This will be a leisurely 4-mile hike. Depart at 1:00pm from the Monte Sano State Park hiker’s parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash. For directions or questions contact Liz at hiker@knology.net
Tuesday, April 14 - 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 Rick Gates at rgates@knology.net
Tuesday, April 21 - 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 Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
Wednesday, April 22 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Easy. <CANCELLED>
THIS OUTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Sunday, April 26 - Stephen's Gap Callahan Cave Preserve hike. Moderate.
Featured in National Geographic magazine, Stephen's Gap Cave in Jackson County is an explorer's dream. Recently purchased by the Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SSCi), with a contribution by the Sierra Club Alabama Chapter, the property will be preserved it in its wild state for future generations to enjoy. Joining us will be SSCi Board Chair, Ron Miller, and our Chair, Bob Hastings. We will take a fairly short hike (.8 mile), surrounded by wildflowers, to the cave. Dependent on rainfall we might view a waterfall flowing into the "pit." We will use the 'walk-in' entrance to the cave , which is sloped, rocky and can be muddy. Inside, the floor continues a downward slope which must be approached with caution. Once inside, again dependent on water flow, we'll be rewarded with spectacular waterfalls, a rushing stream, and for the keen eye, embedded fossils. Outside the cave, we'll continue uphill to see more of the property and possibly another waterfall. This outing is limited in participant number and requires a permit. Special arrangements have been made. If you do sign up, please commit to showing as you are taking a spot. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Sandy Kiplinger at sandykip@otelco.net
Tuesday, April 28 - 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 Suzanne Cawthon at atirawolf@yahoo.com
2015 Excom Members
Chair /Membership Liz Poleretzky hiker@knology.net
Vice Chair/Programs Steve Jackson covecrawler@gmail.com 337-9702
Secretary/Chapter Delegate Jennifer Gresham jgresham98@gmail.com
Treasurer Charlie Cohen 837-3622
Environmental Education Charlotte Buening charlotte.r.buening@gmail.com
Outings Tom Burley tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Energy Consultant Gretel Johnston gretel@best-matrr.org
Political/Conservation chair Joe Imhof enviroman88@earthlink.net
Programs Steve Jackson covecrawler@gmail.com
Publicity Jayanthi Srikishen signalmtn@hotmail.com
Social Media Michael Stewart/Sandy Kiplinger sandykip@juno.com
Newsletter Jack Drost drostj@bellsouth.net
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990