Baby Leopard Spotted at local Sierra Meeting

A unique park is located between DeSoto State Park and the park at Cloudland Canyon. The Alabama Zoological Park and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is located just one mile east of Mentone. It's the only licensed rehabilitation and exhibit center in the area, and is operated by Dr. Robert Bloom and his wife, Lisa.

Dr. Bloom is an environmentalist with a concern for both animals and habitat. His knowledge is impressive and the information he shares is interesting. (What kind of calcium does a tiger need? Not the kind found in chickens!)

Animals from around the world live in this zoo on Lookout Mountain where they are properly cared for. Dr. Bloom brought a baby leopard to our Christmas meeting–complete with teeth and claws, as are all the big cats in the park. The leopard was the center of attention, totally comfortable with people, but certainly not a house kitten.

Dr. Bloom will present the February 17 program. Will he bring a cougar? A coatimundi? A lynx? A wallaby? Surely not a camel or a buffalo, a black bear or a llama! Come to the meeting! See what he brings, hold it if you want to, and learn what Dr. Bloom is doing for these animals at the Blooming Zoo, and how you might be able to help. ------ Brenda Cummings

Remember - New Meeting Location!

The February meeting will be on the third floor of the main library in downtown Huntsville. Go around the atrium and through the double doors next to the administration offices.

Bush Lets Local Meat Industry Off the Hook

In what is best called a "No Polluter Left Behind" agreement, the USEPA has signed a deal with the livestock industry that lets polluting livestock facilities off the hook regarding the emissions of toxic fumes in exchange for simply signing up for a study of air pollutants and paying a small fee.

This plan promises to not only give the Bush Administration's blessing for continuing air pollution from these facilities, it will prevent the victims of these dangerous air pollutants from getting our federal environmental agency to take enforcement action against those facilities.

This is unilateral surrender by the nation's environmental cops in what has been a long struggle by rural families and family farmers exposed to hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, air-borne pathogens, and other hazardous materials to get justice. The victims have seen these massive corporate animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, not only eat away at their quality of life, but receive huge federal and state subsidies to build dirty, stinking operations that ruin their water, destroy their health, and also drive the independent farmers out of business.

In Alabama, rural families have been suffering from toxic pollution caused by factory farms for years. This backroom deal forces communities to wait in vain for relief, while polluters are let off the hook. Peggie Griffin, Sierra Club Associate Southeast Representative in AL said, "The EPA already has the ability under the Clean Air Act to get this information from the polluters—they don't need to give them a special 'get out of jail free' card in order to find out about their emissions. All they need to do is enforce the laws on the books and protect citizens, not special interest industries. Toxic emissions are just as toxic whether they are from a smoke-stack industry or from an industrial animal operation."----------- Peggie Griffin

Questions? Web page - email natberry@yahoo.com or call Nat Berry at 256-461-8107.

Want the newsletter by email? Email Tom Burley at tdburley@knology.net.

Newsletter questions or comments - Email the editor at JDinHSV@aol.com

Forever Wild Tag Sales Growing

With the recent purchase by Forever Wild of the last remaining undeveloped tract on Green Mountain and with a tract on Monte Sano under consideration, it is timely to point out that vehicle owners in Madison County purchased more tags than any other county with 301 tags. Other counties of note are as follows; Jefferson, 289; Shelby 232; Baldwin 282; Montgomery 205; Mobile 128; Cullman 128. In 2004 there were 3,414 Forever Wild tags sold in the state, adding almost $150,000 to the Forever Wild Land Trust, money that helps to buy land that will be preserved as wilderness for all of us to enjoy.

If you have not purchased a Forever Wild tag for your vehicle, you might consider it when your tag comes up for renewal. Not only do you add money to the trust fund when you purchase the tag, but the tag on your car helps advertise the program to others. The ultimate goal is to sell at least 12,000 tags each year. Forever Wild has purchased over 100,000 acres since the program began, much of the land in North Alabama.--------- The editor

Flint River Land Use Survey Seeks Volunteers

Would you enjoy a day of exploring the Flint River, learning about the river's watershed and at the same time collecting information important to the long-term planning and restoration of the Flint River? The Flint River Conservation Association will be conducting a land use survey of the land along the Flint River on Saturday, February 26. Volunteers will spend the morning learning about the watershed and how to collect information on the health of the river and surrounding land uses.

The survey will require both paddlers on the river and people driving and walking along the banks to collect information about how the land adjoining the river is used. The data collected will be combined with other available information to form the basis of a more comprehensive water management plan for the Flint River. The land use survey will help fill a gap in data about the Flint River and helps bolster applications for grants and appeals to federal and state agencies concerning the Flint.

For more information or to volunteer, email Dawn at dawnlemke@aol.com or call Soos Weber at 427-5116.-------- The editor

Have any Camping Gear to Sell?

We all have it – that stove we bought and used on one hike only to buy another one that was a whole 2 ounces less, or the tent we were going to use on that Alaska backpack that fell through. We keep them because well, we might use it someday and besides, we can't just throw it away. There is eBay, but that can be kind of a hassle.

The North Alabama Sierra group would like to start a classified section in the newsletter for individuals looking to sell that brand new or gently used piece of equipment that is gathering dust in your garage. Just send the editor a short description of the article with a contact phone number or email. The group asks that you donate a small portion of your sale to the local group to help cover the cost of the newsletter.

The following article courtesy of the Bama Environmental News – www.BamaNews.com January 28, 2005 #24

Senator Shelby Moves To Block Chemical Weapons Transport - According to the Anniston Star, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby plans to cosponsor a bill to prevent the Pentagon from studying interstate transportation of chemical weapons to destruction sites such as Anniston's incinerator.

Last week, the Army announced that it would study the possibility of relocating chemical weapons from certain stockpiles as a cost-cutting measure.  The announcement has drawn criticism, because of promises made by Pentagon officials that the incinerator at the Anniston Army Depot would be used only to destroy the stockpiles of weapons in the local area.  The $150,000 study slated to go to the Pentagon on February 18th is also opposed by Senator Jeff Sessions.

2005 ExCom Members

Chair - Judy Jones 852-6179
Vice Ch/Treas.Sam Denham 539-1033
Web Page - Nat Berry 461-8107
Newsletter editor - Jack Drost 880-2644
Membership - Dave Kostowny 325-2296
Conservation - Bruce Martin 256-725-2168
Outings - Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060
Publicity - Liz Poleretzky 461-5819
Programs Logistics Coordinator - Doug Horacek 772-6788
Secretary – Judy Burley 883-4267
Fund Raising - Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
Tuesday Hikes - Nancy Dudney 882-9408
Programs - Brenda Cummings 881-7447

General Meeting – New Location Thursday, Feb 17, 6:30pm. Huntsville Public Library Lounge – Upstairs on the 3rd floor. The Blooming Zoo's Dr. Robert Bloom will be speaking. Please see article on front for details and directions to the new location.

North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar

Hike Ratings
Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate-5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes and/or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.
Strenuous-More than 10 miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.
Exploratory-any event the leader has not experienced before, may fit any class above.

Saturday, Feb 19, Flat Rock hike. Moderate. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot at 8:00am. We will go down the Mt Mist trail through the sinks and the stone cuts to Panther Knob and on to Flat Rock where we will eat lunch. We will return to O'Shaughnessy Point by the Black Warrior Trail. Bring lunch, water, warm clothes, sturdy hiking boots and a dollar fee for using the trails. Contact Doug Horacek, 772-6788.

Sunday, Feb 20, Big Tree Hike. Strenuous. This is a strenuous 12 mile loop hike to one of the largest trees in Alabama, a 500 year old yellow poplar. Bring lunch and hiking boots. Meet 8am at Madison Cracker Barrel or 9am at Wren Trading Post. Liz Poleretzky, (wk)461-5819 hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, Feb 22, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Liz Poleretzky (wk) 461-5819.

Excom meeting Thursday Feb 24, Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45. Info Liz Poleretsky 461-5819.

Saturday, Feb 26, Wetumpka Impact Crater Tour. Easy. Guided tour of a 6 mile wide crater formed 80 million years ago when a 1,000 ft wide asteroid impacted central Alabama. No hiking. Limited group size. Call Lee Hollingsworth, 461-3060(w) or 520-6659(h).

Tuesday, March 1, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Info: Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Saturday, March 5, Cloudland Canyon Dayhike. Moderately Strenuous. On the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in the state, offering rugged geology, beautiful vistas, and two waterfalls. About 7 to 8 miles. Elevation differs from 800 to 1,980 feet. Meet at Winn Dixie on Winchester Rd, 8:30am. Info, Judy Burley, 883-4267 jcburley@knology.net

Sunday, March 6, Fagan Spring Dayhike. Easy. 1:00 P.M. Meet at the Cleermont Trail Head rated easy bring sturdy hiking boots and water contact Doug Horacek 772-6788 for more information.

Tuesday, March 8, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Info: Judy Burley, 883-4267

Newsletter Labeling Wednesday, March 9, 5:30pm. Barbara Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St. Info: Judy Jones 852-6179 (h).

Friday-Sunday, March 11-13, Tallulah Gorge Carcamp/Dayhike. Strenuous. One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern US, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. We will hike down to the gorge floor and then hike the rim trail to several overlooks. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. The climb out of the gorge is very difficult and strenuous. Call Tom Burley at 883-4267 or email tdburley@knology.net

Saturday-Sunday, March 12 & 13, Carter Mt car camp and Walls hike. Moderate. Camp by small lake. Hike on Saturday starting around 10 am, approximate 8 -10 miles, moderate, bring lunch and water for day hike. Anyone camping needs to have gear and food for dinner, gas grill and/or campfire for cooking. Sunday morning, will drive 9 miles to Walls of Jericho parking lot, approx. 7 mile hike to Walls, bring lunch and water. Meeting place on Saturday will be Winchester Winn/Dixie 9 am. Information, Joette 776-3551.

Tuesday, March 15, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.

March 17-20 AT Backpack Woody Gap to Hogpen Gap. Strenuous. We cross Blood Mountain and go through Walasi-Y Center where the AT crosses underneath a roof. There is a nice outfitters store where we will take a break. We end Saturday night at Hogpen Gap and return Sunday. Info, Judy Burley 883-4267 or jcburley@knology.net

Saturday, March 19, UAH dayhike. Easy. Fun hike around the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) campus. Meet at 0830 at the University Fitness Center parking lot. Bring a small lunch and H2O and we will walk around the UAH campus and have lunch at the picnic table near the lake area. POC for this hike is David L. Kostowny.

Beginners Backpacking Class Starting in March Wednesday nights, March 9 thru Apr 6, 7:00-9:00 pm. We willl offer 5 nights of class instruction on backpacking basics.  Learn how to select and use tents, backpacks, stoves, sleeping bags, clothing and learn first aid and planning essentials for spending time in the woods. $20 fee to our local Sierra Club group.  Pre-register with Bruce Martin 256-725-2168 or Lee Hollingsworth 462-3060. You don't need to accumulate your own equipment to take the class; there is plenty of loaner stuff available.

Other Outings / Events

"The following activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the readers of our newsletter."

Flint River Conservation Association Saturday, Feb 19, 1-5pm. Privet Roundup, Bonfire and Weenie Roast! Meet at Hays Nature Preserve Parking Area - South on US 431 from the Hampton Cove Light, turn right just past mile marker 324. Bring gloves, heavy pruners, pruning saws or chain saws. Call for more info at 427-5116 and to let Soos know you are coming.

Saturday, Feb 26, Flint River Land Use Survey Volunteers are needed to survey and record land use along the Flint River both from anoes on the river and by driving and hiking along the banks. For more information or to volunteer, email Dawn at dawnlemke@aol.com or call Soos Weber at 427-5116.

Saturday, March 19, Ides of March Night hike. Hays Nature Preserve. Info, 427-5116.

March 12-14, 2004, Watershed Leadership Conference. - On March 12-14, the Alabama River's Alliance will host this conference at the Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, AL. It is inspiration, training, planning, and fun for people who care about Alabama's environment. For information on this conference, call ARA toll-free at 877-862-5260.