Act to Help protect Alabama’s Drinking Water and Public Lands
On Tuesday, February 7, our state representatives and senators will return to Montgomery for the 2017 state legislative session. Protecting our drinking water and preserving our public lands are top issues with environmentally concerned Alabama citizens. As we saw from the November votes on Forever Wild and State Park funding, our voices do make a difference and our legislators will listen to us on these issues. Act now to let your legislators know these issues are still important.
- Edited from an email by Tammy Herrington, Executive Director of Conservation Alabama
Congratulations to Aaron!
At the last State Chapter Excom meeting our local outings leader, Aaron Lesky, was voted in as the State outings leader/trainer. We know he’ll do a great job!
ADEM Grant Training for Water Quality Efforts
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Nonpoint Source Management Program invites you to join us for an informational grant training workshop, Wednesday, February 22 or Thursday, February 23, 9:30am - 3:30pm.
Come learn about impaired streams in your area and how you can become an integral part of the Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant Program, aimed at improving water quality by reducing pollutant loads in surface runoff. The meetings will be the forum to share lessons learned, to help identify the issues stakeholders are facing in watershed restoration efforts, and to identify areas to leverage resources in watershed restoration planning/project implementation. Together, we can build constructive partnerships and improve the health of our rivers and streams. We look forward to meeting with you.
These full day events will provide lunch. Therefore, please RSVP before the online registration closes on Friday, February 17, 2017. Be sure to register early as space is limited.
Where - Shades Valley Training Facility, 1331 Oak Grove Road Birmingham, AL 35254
For more information and to register, go to: https://nonpointsourcemeeting-cahabablackwarriorriverbasin.eventbrite.com
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.
Sunday, February 5 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: the Land Trust Side. STRENUOUS.
In mid-winter, after the dead leaves on the ground have been flattened, as many as 500 registered runners embark on a 31-mile run over a rugged, up and down, muddy, sometimes icy or snowy trails between Monte Sano State Park and the Land Trust property in the Mountain Mist 50K. We will follow their path at a slower pace. To avoid flashlight use and total exhaustion, we’ve divided their one-day event into two 12-14 mile hikes with some modifications. Because of shorter daylight hours, it will be important to maintain a moderate pace. There’s the potential of mud wallowing, ice, slimy rocks, and stream crossings. This hike is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch, water, and dress for the weather. Wear hiking boots and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but not required. We will start the hike at 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. We will complete the remainder of the course the following Sunday. For more info, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 11 - Little River Canyon Rock Hop/Hike. Strenuous. Sierra Club Members Only Hike. This hike between the Powell Trail and Eberhard Point is a perennial favorite. Even though this is the easiest section of Little River Canyon, it is rated strenuous because of some bushwhacking, rock hopping, and one creek crossing. Bring a towel to dry your feet after the creek crossing, and dry clothes for the trip back home. Meet at the Publix in Hampton Cove at 8:30am. Rain date is Sunday, Feb. 12th. For more information please call Sam Denham (256) 539-1033(h). This hike is open to active Sierra Club Members only.
Sunday, February 12 - The Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike: Monte Sano State Park. STRENUOUS.
This will be a 12-14 mile hike. We’ll complete the trail series of the Mountain Mist Marathon Run, (see February 5 hike), on the Monte Sano State Park side. Although we may have a few more minutes of daylight on the trail, we will still need to maintain a moderate pace to avoid flashlight use. Again, this is not for the meek of feet. Bring plenty of snacks, lunch and water. Dress for the weather, wear hiking boots, and bring a few bucks for the State Park’s entry fee. Hiking poles are recommended but optional. We will start the hike at 7:30am sharp from the Hiker’s Parking lot in Monte Sano State Park. For more info, contact Charlie at charlie.cohen@att.net or 256-361-3837. Rain cancels.
Saturday, February 25 - Monte Sano Winter Hike. Moderate.
Enjoy this Jewel of Huntsville on a 6-7 mile winter walk in the woods. We will explore trails in the State Park. Experiencing the park in a very different way than spring and summer hikes. 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. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com