North Alabama Trails and Recreation Festival
Saturday, September 28, 9:00am-3:00pm at Point Mallard Park in Decatur.
Join us for Alabama’s largest outdoor recreation festival. Explore each of the exciting outdoor activities provided to attendants such as canoeing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, archery and more! Come see over 100 outdoor recreation groups and vendors or check out the outdoor gear yard sale. There will be classes like Backpacking 101, wildlife shows and plenty of kids activities. General admission is $5 and kids under 12 enter free. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, click on the link below.
https://natrails.org/natrfest/
Tuesday Evening Hikes in Hibernation until Spring
Due to the shorter days, Tuesday night hikes have ended and will return in the spring. Watch for more weekend hikes as we have some new hike leaders.
Discovering Alabama's Doug Phillips in Madison October 8
Tuesday, October 8, 6:00pm at the Madison Public Library
142 Plaza Blvd. Madison, AL 35758
Doug Phillips with "Discovering Alabama" looks long term to consider how prevailing forms of growth and development could affect Alabama's environmental future. Environmental scientists warn that Alabama is a "plump sitting duck for the crowding world" and is at risk of the eventual loss of the state's exceptional natural abundance. Come discuss the challenges we face in Alabama in the next 200 years.
There will be a meet and greet with Madison Greenways and Trails at 5:30pm before the program.
Pollinator Gardening in Dublin Park October 19
Saturday, October 19, 8:00am-12:00pm at Dublin Park in Madison
8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison, AL 35758
Join the Sierra Club and local Master Gardeners as we tidy up and expand the Dublin Park pollinator garden! This garden is a designated Monarch Butterfly waystation which provides milkweed, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain Monarch Butterflies as they migrate through North America. This will be a hands-on educational event where we will learn and practice setting up gardens using the smothering technique, while we help to expand the existing pollinator garden. Use the techniques you learn here to create your own pollinator garden at home.
Bring weather-appropriate clothes and layers that you don't mind getting dirty, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and sunblock/bug repellent as needed. If you have work/gardening gloves, and/or a favorite weeding tool, please bring those too!
From the Kid's Kingdom parking lot, follow the paved walkway right off the lot across from the playground, down to the garden. It's a 2-3 minute walk.
Stormy weather cancels this event. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/4uh3w7cb
Alabama Master Naturalist Program
Did you know that there is a local program for becoming an Alabama Master Naturalist? Similar to the Master Gardener concept, this program involves an intense training course with field days to teach participants about the natural resources of Alabama and their conservation and management. The program aims to develop a statewide group of volunteers to help provide education, outreach and services regarding Alabama's natural resources. You can find out more information and registration information at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/alabama-master-naturalist-program/
Holiday Party in December
Stay tuned for details about the 2024 Sierra Club Holiday party!
Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online
On our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254833822112
On Meetup: Sierra Club Alabama Chapter