Alabama Sierra Club Supports Amendment 2
The Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club supports Amendment 2 on the election ballot in November. We encourage everyone to vote "Yes" to support this amendment and help protect funding for our state parks. Some have expressed concern regarding the wording in the second paragraph of the amendment regarding "privatization" of concessions in the parks. Although I would prefer that all state park activities be managed and maintained by state employees, this is not a reason to reject the amendment and jeopardize future funding for the parks. For reference, see the following statement regarding this part of the amendment: "IS THIS A MOVE TOWARD PRIVATIZATION?
Outside entities are already allowed to run many facilities at state parks, included the state's not yet built 350-room hotel and conference center at Gulf State Park. However, a previously approved bond issue for park renovation prohibited the state from using outside vendors at any facilities revamped with that bond money. Amendment 2 will undo the prohibition. Lein said, for example, outside zip line vendors and golf course operators have helped bring in traffic and revenue to state parks.
Read more about this in the state newsletter https://sierraclub.org/alabama/blog/2016/10/november-2016-alabama-sierran
Note that The Land Trust of North Alabama and Conservation Alabama also support Amendment 2.
Christmas Party – Tuesday, December 6, Huntsville Public Library
Mark your calendars! The annual Christmas Party for the North Alabama Sierra Club will be Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00pm in the auditorium of the Huntsville Public Library downtown. Please note - Tuesday, not Thursday. The club will provide turkey and ham and beverages. Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share. We welcome vegetable dishes! Add it to your calendar now before you fill it up with all those other holiday gatherings. Note: If you come at 5:00 you can help us set up!
Election for new Excom Members
The local Sierra Club group could not function without the hard work of the members of the executive committee.
Election for new committee members will be at the Christmas party. The members running for the executive committee are:
Charlotte Buening
I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 2004 and have enjoyed many hikes and trips with the Club. Conservation and saving our beautiful earth for the future is important to me. I have worked the booth for the Club at the Earth Day, Green U, and Madison Street festivals, telling people about the Sierra Club and its work for the environment, and helping people get outdoors to enjoy the countryside. I have been a hike leader, and am a current member of the Excom. I would like to continue to help the Sierra Club in any way I can for the future.
Charlie Cohen
Charlie has been involved with the North Alabama Sierra Club for many years and joins the club on numerous hikes as well as leading hikes himself. He enjoys the outdoors and would like to share this with others. The more people we have who appreciate the wonderful wilderness areas around North Alabama, the better chance we have of protecting them for future generations (and ourselves!) to enjoy.
Steve Jackson
Hiking has been a hobby of mine since I was a Boy Scout, spending many a day and some nights hiking the hills of Madison and Jackson Counties. I have also hiked in the Appalachians, Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains and Southern Cascades Ranges. This time in the woods has led to a deep appreciation of our natural world and the need to protect it from the onslaught of "civilization.” My wife Beth and I also support other fine organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, NRDC, etc. I am currently the Club Vice-president and Program chair and enjoy my role as an outings leader and the benefits it provides me, my fellow hikers and the Club.
Aaron Lesky
Aaron has enthusiastically taken over the job of coordinating outings for the Club and had led a number of hikes. He has been a hiker for many years and wants to get more involved in the Club and help the protect the wilderness areas we enjoy.
Jayanthi Srikishen
Jayanthi is currently on the Executive Committee as the Publicity chair for the North Alabama group and would like to continue in that capacity. She enjoys the outdoors and hiking and as publicity chair for our group plays an important role in advertising our events, particularly the speaker programs.
The Sierra Club Online
web - http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
email - na.sierraclub@gmail.com
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.
Saturday, November 5 - The Sipsey Wilderness hike. Moderate. Join Sandy and Charlie for an approximate 9 to 10 mile hike in the beautiful Sipsey Wilderness, one of Alabama’s gems. Following a loop involving three trails, 202/209/and 201, we'll pass an old cemetery, enjoy the fall foliage, talk about a notorious resident, cross a streambed and search for the 'Eye of the Needle.' Per Wilderness regulation, group size is limited. If you sign up, please commit to showing up. Bring snacks, lunch, water, a towel (just in case the stream isn’t dry) and bug spray. Dress for the weather, and wear good hiking shoes. Rain cancels. For more information and to reserve a slot contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com
Saturday, November 12 - Chapman Mountain Land Trust Property Hike. Strenuous. There will be some off-trail hiking. Approximately 5-miles. Explore the Land Trust’s newly acquired Chapman Mountain property. Not open to the public, this beautiful, 360 acre tract of mixed hardwoods and pine forest sits just miles from Downtown Huntsville. We will be hiking on undeveloped property, so trails are minimal and unmarked. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes; long pants recommended. Bring snacks and water. Dogs ok. For more info, contact Aaron at sctrailevents@gmail.com Meet at 9:00 am in the Wendy’s Parking lot at 1624 US 72 East, Huntsville AL.
Saturday, November 19 Sougahoagdee Falls hike. Moderate. - THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO DRY CONDITIONS
Saturday, November 26 - Burning the Carbs All the way up Monte Sano. Strenuous. Approximately 10 to 12 mile hike. After a day of turkey, dressing, pie and football, let’s hike to the top of Monte Sano, talk, look around, talk some more and then work a different set of muscles going back down on a slightly different route. Meet at 8:30am at Oak Park, 2250 Oakwood Ave. NE. Dress for the weather, bring lunch, snacks and water. For more information, contact Charlie Cohen,charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837.