Incredible Nature Photography at March Meeting

     We have all seen some of the wonderful nature photography of Chuck Downing, sometimes without realizing it was his. Chuck has had his photos of North Alabama wildlife and other areas published in calendars and other places. His photos of wildlife look as though he coaxed each animal or bird to pose for him and the colors are brilliant. Come to the next general meeting of the North Alabama Sierra Club Thursday evening, March 17 at 6:30pm in the auditorium of the Huntsville Public Library downtown. Chuck will show us a collection of his photos and talk about the wildlife and where he captured them on film.           - the editor

Back in the Auditorium for March Meeting

     Yes, we’re back downstairs again! The March meeting will be back in the 1st floor auditorium at the library in downtown Huntsville.

Proposed $5 million cut to Forever Wild

     We need your participation in a letter/lobbying effort to help preserve the Forever Wild Fund.  A group of state legislators has targeted the Forever Wild land acquisition fund for a $5,000,000 cut. This fund was set up to purchase land for public use and has helped preserve the Walls of Jericho, the northern end of Green Mountain and expansion of Monte Sano State Park along with other areas around the state. We need to help our senators and representatives understand the importance of this proposed cut and how we all benefit from the land preserved through Forever Wild.

     After the regular meeting Thursday, March 17, we will provide everyone with paper, envelopes, pens and stamps for a quick couple of letters to sway our legislators. Please come join us – our legislators always say that hand-written letters from their constituents carry a lot of weight. This is your opportunity to help make a difference.

     Thanks! - Bruce Martin, Conservation Chair

 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

JSU offers Environmental Education graduate class for teachers

     Camp McDowell Environmental Center, Jacksonville State University and the Alabama Chapter of Sierra Club are joining in partnership to offer Topics in Environmental Education: Watersheds.  This graduate level class is designed especially for teachers who want to incorporate more environmental education that correlates to the Alabama Course of Study into their classrooms.  The class will be taught on the 900 acre “classroom” at the Camp McDowell Environmental Center, north of Jasper, AL. Dr. David Steffy from JSU will be the instructor.

     The dates of the class are June 19-24, 2005.  Along with time spent in the classroom, there will also be opportunities to explore an actual watershed on the camp property.  Teachers will do research via the Internet on topics related to the class and be provided with hands-on materials to take back to the classroom for their students. 

     Through a generous grant, the Alabama Chapter of Sierra Club is funding this class.  Sierra Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. They believe that education is the key to long-term protection of our wilderness areas.

     For information or to register for this class, contact Maggie Wade Johnston at Camp McDowell Environmental Center. Call 205-387-1806 or email maggie@campmcdowell.com

Earth Day – 35th Anniversary Celebration

Hays Nature Preserve

Saturday, April  16th     7:30 am to 4 pm .

Come join us at the Hays Nature Preserve for the 35th Earth Day celebration. There will activities for the family all day including:

7:30am  Birding hike with North Alabama Birding Society member Bill McAllister.

10:00am  Bill Cruger, Reptile Expert, will speak about reptile conservation and many non-poisonous critters will be available to hold.

11:30am  Dr. Bloom of the Alabama Zoological Park will bring some wild animals and talk about conservation of species around the world.

1:00pm  Keith Hudson, the state non-game wildlife biologist, who helped bring back the Bald Eagle to North Alabama,  will talk about “How to Attract Backyard Wildlife”.  He will take people on a short tour of the Preserve, pointing out good wildlife habitat practices and plant materials.  

Earth Friendly exhibitors will include:

- The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama

- The Nature Conservancy of Alabama

- The Von Braun Astronomical Society (with a Solar  

   telescope for safely viewing the Sun)

- The Sierra Club

- And Many Others

EarthScope Activities for Kids:                             

- Name that Snake

- Environmental Touch Table

- Faux  Fossil Dig

- ABC’s Among the Trees

Interpretive Hikes lasting 1-1.5 hours:

- Hays Nature Trails   11:30  and 3 p.m.

- Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary  11:30  and 3 p.m.

Call Soos Weber for more information at 427-5116.  The Hays Nature Preserve is located south on US 431,  1.3 miles from the Hampton Cove light at Publix. Turn left on Hays Preserve Trail. 

Update on Coffeen Nature Preserve

     Saturday, February 12, the Coffeen Land Trust Board of Trustees voted unanimously to authorize the Coffeen Nature Preserve Managers and the CLT Land Management Committee to contact the Walton County Health Department to determine what improvements need to be made at the campground to allow a camping permit to be issued.  The CLT Board also authorized the Managers and Land Mgt Committee to contact appropriate firms and to make improvements leading to the issuance of a permit allowing the reuse of the campground by authorized individuals and groups seeking to provide service projects at the Coffeen Nature Preserve. The Letter Writing Campaign made a positive impact, and opened the door to us working together in the future with the CLT Board Members.

     We have established a positive momentum with the new Board.  To keep it going, Jim Price suggested all of us write a thank letter or E-mail to the CLT Board Members.  They still have to vote on our access to the beach, repairs on the Castle, and other issues at future meetings. All in all, your letters made a difference.  This is a good first step toward regaining our ability to continue to provide service projects while camping and enjoying the natural beauty of the Coffeen Nature Preserve.  - Bill Baty

 

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Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

 

 

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 – Old Location

Thursday, March 17, 6:30pm. Huntsville Public Library Auditorium – Chuck Downing will share some of his wonderful nature photos with us.

Thursday-Sunday, 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 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. More info: David L. Kostowny 325-2296.

Sunday, March 20, Monte Sano Rock Hop and Cross Country Hike. Strenuous. We'll

hike in the Mill Hollow Area on the rocks in a creek bed to see the 1938 pump house built by CCC to push water from the bottom of the

mountain to the State Park on top. Rated strenuous due to 1000 ft elevation gains and rock hopping. If you do well on this hike you will be able to do Pisgah Gorge later in the summer. Meet 1:00pm at Monte Sano State park hikers' parking lot. Sam Denham 539-

1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, March 22, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St.  Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.

Excom meeting

Thursday March 24, Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45.  Info Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651.

Saturday, March 26, Walls of Jericho Dayhike. Moderate. 7 mile trip with two stream crossings. 1000’ elevation change.  Lots of wildflowers, waterfall, and spectacular canyon.  Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:00 AM at Winchester Rd. Winn-Dixie.  Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Tuesday, March 29, 6pm, Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Info: Liz Poleretzky, (wk) 461-5819.

Saturday, April 2, Rueben Creek, TN Dayhike. Moderate. Meet 8:30am Winn/Dixie on Winchester Road. Moderate 6 mile hike; bring lunch and water. Joint hike with Cahaba group.  Joette 776-3551

Saturday, April 2, Buck's Pocket Carcamp. Easy. Meet at the Franklin Building 8:00am. Hike that day, high falls and the slide rapid, bring lunch, water, camping equipment, and sturdy boots. Camp Saturday evening optional. Call Doug Horacek for more information 772-6788.

Tuesday, April 5, Return to the Mountain Champagne and Caviar hike. Celebrate this annual rite of spring as we return to our favorite (dirt) trails in Monte Sano State Park. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot in Monte Sano State Park at 6:00pm sharp for an easy 3-mile hike. This year the park is requesting a $1 donation to help with maintenance costs at the park. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Saturday, April 9, Sipsey Wilderness Dayhike. Moderate. Gum Pond Cemetery to 'Maddox Motel'. Wildflowers should be seen in abundance as we make our way along Maddox Creek to the bluff wall cavity we call Maddox Motel. Off trail, boots and long pants recommended. Bring lunch and water. Meet 7:30 Madison Cracker Barrel (7:00 for breakfast), 9:00 Wren Trading Post.  Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060 or 520-6659. 

Sunday, April 10, Visit Blooming Zoo in Mentone, AL. Easy. Admission fee. Optional side trip to Welsh Caves in DeSoto State Park. Short distance but rated moderate because of access. Meet at Shell Station at bottom of Chapman Mt. on Hwy 72 E,

across from Moore's Mill Road at noon. Call Brenda 881-7447 for more details.

Tuesday, April 12, 6 pm.  Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park Hikers Parking Lot. Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, April 13, 5:30pm. Barbara Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St. Info: Judy Jones 852-6179 (h).

Friday-Sunday, April 15-17, Springer Mountain Carcamp/Dayhike. Springer Mountain is the southern terminus of the AT. We will depart on Friday around noon. Saturday we will hike to the summit and spend the night at the Springer Mountain campsite. On Sunday we will hike down

with a visit enroute to the Len Foote Hike Inn for refreshments. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or email tdburley@knology.net

Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24, Backpack Class Graduation Hike. Easy.We’ll travel to South Cumberland State Park for an easy 8-mile trip through the Stone Door and visit Ranger Falls. Non-class members are invited.  Meet at Winn-Dixie on Winchester Road at 8:00am. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

April 29-May 1, Avery Creek-Cades Cove backpack. Moderately strenuous. This is a 17 mile loop encompassing the Abrams Creek area near Cades Cove. We will depart Friday at noon and return on Sunday. Tom Burley 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net

May 14-21, Natchez Trace Bicycle Trip. Join us for the annual 440-mile trek from Nashville to Natchez. Sag wagon equipped. You must have your own bicycle and camp gear. Cost is $150 per person plus pocket cash. Sag, campgrounds, food and permits all included.  Limited to 10 people.  Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

June 9-12 AT Backpack Max Patch to Hot Springs, NC. More details next newsletter or contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net

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 March. 19th, Privet Round Up, Bonfire, and Weenie Roast--Hays Nature Preserve.  Come help with a Jihad against Chinese Privet, from 1-5 p.m.  We will be working along the main road at the Hays Preserve. Bring long handled loppers, chain saws, heavy duty cutters, and gloves. Fun for the family!! Call Soos at 427-5116 for more info and to let her know you are coming.

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

- Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve April 16th at the Hays Nature Preserve.  Hikes, Food, Games for Kids, and how to become certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Call 427-5116 for more information.

Huntsville Canoe Club - Learn to Paddle Class April 18-May 16, Mondays at 5:30pm

Arrowhead Landing on the Wheeler Refuge.

Enrollment Deadline March 16. Info: Ken Pevahouse, KenPevahouse@aol.com or call 464-1328. Class includes the book, Canoeing by Gordon Grant and membership in the Huntsville Canoe Club.

http://www.huntsvillecanoeclub.org