North Ala. Sierra
Club Newsletter
April
2004
The Geology of North Alabama
Have you ever wondered about what lies under your feet and how it got there as
you hike the trails of North Alabama? What makes up all those layers you see in
the bluffs and why are the mountains around here long and flat on top? Come to
the next Sierra Club meeting and find out. Lowell Zoller, NASA retiree, past
president of the North Alabama Gem and Mineral Society and ALL instructor, will
talk to us about the geological history of North Alabama - how and when rock
layers were laid down, thrust up into plateaus and ridges and then eroded away
to give us the rich rugged beauty unique to this area. Lowell will come with
slides illustrating the layers under the North Alabama soil and timelines
telling us when various geological features were formed. He will also bring
"holdables," examples of North Alabama rocks that we can examine.
Do you have a fossil or a rock that you collected in North Alabama but cannot
identify? Bring it to the meeting! Lowell will try to identify it for you and
tie it into the history and geology of the area, educating and entertaining all
of us with its story. This should be a fascinating and worthwhile lecture.
-Brenda Cummings (with a little help from the editor)
* Trouble accessing our WebPages? Email natberry@yahoo.com or call Nat Berry at
256-461-8107.
* Want to get the newsletter by email? Email Tom Burley at
tdburley@knology.net.
* Questions, comments or articles to submit to the newsletter? Email the editor
at JDinHSV@aol.com
Follow-up to South Cumberland Recreation Program
At our March program, Mary Priestly and Latham Davis of the Friends of the
South Cumberland told us that much of the land around the Savage Gulf and most
of the land that makes up the Fiery Gizzard area is privately owned and in
immediate danger of development for housing and logging. This development will
not only spoil the beauty of the area, it will also affect watersheds and the
delicate ecosystems of the coves.
The Friends of the South Cumberland is in the initial phase of a planned $6
million campaign to purchase a buffer zone around the Savage Gulf and Fiery
Gizzard areas. There are several large foundations interested in helping the
Friends of the South Cumberland, but each of them cite the need for the Friends
to demonstrate that there is sufficient local interest in saving these areas
before they donate large sums of money.
An easy way for you to help is to join the Friends of the South Cumberland for
only $25. This shows that there is local support for the preservation of these
areas and makes it easier for the Friends to secure large donations. To join
the campaign or for more information, call 615-822-2051, or write to Friends of
the South Cumberland, PO Box 816, Sewanee, TN 37375; scsra@bellsouth.net - the
Editor
Studies on an Upland Hardwood Forest in Jackson County
Ever wonder what is the response of a north-Alabama upland oak-hickory forest
to five levels of overstory canopy tree retention? Come join Dr. Callie
Jo Schweitzer on May 1, 2004 to hike through her research plots in Jackson
County. Dr. Schweitzer is a Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service,
department of Ecology and Management of Southern Appalachian Hardwood
Forests. In 2002, fifty-acre experimental blocks were established on the
highly dissected southern sub-region of the Mid-Cumberland Plateau. 10-acre
units were randomly assigned one of five levels of canopy retention (0, 25, 50,
75, and 100 percent). Two years later, we can now begin to see the effect of
different canopy covers and light levels on growth and reproduction. Over 800
seedlings of 20 species are permanently tagged and their growth is being
monitored over time. The response of the herbaceous community is also
being monitored.
Three Alabama A&M University graduate students are also using these stand
manipulations as a basis of their studies. Adrian Lesak is studying
species abundance and diversity of the bird populations in this study area
using territory spot-mapping. Trend analysis showed that territory
density was highest in the 50 percent treatment and that maximum species
richness was found in the 25 percent treatment. Zach Felix is focusing on
the climate and physical habitat differences between the treatments.
One-year post-treatment data show that lizard numbers were highest in the 25
percent treatment, and snake captures peaked in the clearcut. Species richness
of reptiles and amphibians combined were highest in the 50 percent treatment.
Stephanie Love is examining artificial oak regeneration under two of the stand
manipulation regimes. She grew northern red oak seedlings in the
greenhouse under two different light regimes, full sun and one-half full sun
and then outplanted them in the clear-cut and 75 percent retention treatments
in summer 2003. Seedling growth and survival were followed.
Forestry faculty from Alabama A&M University and members of the Society of
American Foresters will also be present. Joining us from the Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources are Jim Schrenkle (Manager, Skyline
Wildlife Management Area), Andrew Nix (State Staff Forester), Greg Lein
(Assistant Director of State Lands - Forever Wild Program) and Greg Janszen
(Lands Manager) from Stevenson Land Company.
We will leave from the Winn Dixie parking lot (Winchester Rd) at 8:00 am.
Two vans will be provided, others will have to follow in their cars. We
should be done at the site by noon. Bring a bag lunch if you want to eat
on site.
Family Farm Tour Comes to North Alabama May 15!
For the fourth year, the Alabama Chapter Sierra Club will sponsor a Family Farm
Tour - this year, co-sponsored by the North Alabama Group. The popular tour has
taken place in three Alabama cities thus far: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and
Mobile. Each year, the bus was filled - with a waiting list of folks who wanted
to go! So be sure to register early for this fun trip!
On Saturday, May 15, the tour will begin at the CASA Community Garden (next
door to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens), where volunteers grow a beautiful
garden and provide produce to the homebound or elderly. The tour will then
proceed to Hartselle to Goose Pond Farm, owned and operated by Charles and
Laura Ritch and their daughters. Goose Pond Farm supplies grass-fed chicken,
eggs, beef, pork, turkey, and lamb to many people in North Alabama. Tour
participants will have the opportunity to meet the Ritches and hear their
philosophy about why they do what they do - as well as to see their beautiful
farm. The third stop will be in Moulton at Fruit Classics, a 200 acre fruit
farm owned and operated by Frannie Adair and her adult children. Tour
participants will first enjoy a locally-grown eco-feast picnic, and then see
the beautiful orchards, featuring heirloom varieties. Strawberries will be in
season - and tour participants will have the opportunity to purchase their
delicious strawberries!
The Family Farm tour is a part of the Alabama Chapter Campaign to stop factory
farming in Alabama - and to support small family farms. We believe that our
family farms can provide healthy food that is fresher and grown with fewer (or
no) chemicals. We also believe that small family farms are better for rural
community economies and the environment. By sponsoring the family farm tour, we
are getting the word out to local citizens about the availability of good,
fresh locally-grown produce.
Come and enjoy this fun day on family farms - and meet other folks with similar
interests! Register early to ensure that you have a place! Send $10 and your
name, address, phone no., and email address to: Alabama Sierrra Club, P.O. Box
27, Attalla AL 35954. For more information, call Nat Berry (in Madison) at
256-461-8107 or Peggie Griffin (in Attalla) at 256-538-3885.
- Peggie Griffin, Alabama Chapter Conservation
Organizer
Sign up for Green Power for as little as $4 per month Call Huntsville
Utilities at 535-1255 Connect to www.cleanenergy.org for more information
How to tie your boots: The Janet Planet Knot
Learn this knot and your shoelaces will never untie themselves again! A famous
e-hiker once said "Many have asked what the best thing was BEFORE sliced
bread. This was it!". When you are tying your shoelaces in a bow, first make
a half-hitch (that's the Real Name(tm)) for the over-and-across thing you
normally do first). Then, after you make the loop, go around it twice instead
of just once (you'll have to adjust your hold to go around your fingers instead
of just the loop). Finish up as usual. Now, your laces will not untie
accidentally. Try it! I have the shoelaces adjusted so the right side (I'm
right-handed) is about an inch longer than the left. This gives me the extra
bit I need to go around twice. Enjoy your new knot. Share it with your kids!
--Marc and Janet Salverson
PC For Sale
The North Alabama group is selling the pc that was purchased to publish the
newsletter. It is a two-year old pc that was purchased at GigaParts - 1000MHz,
128MB, 20GB hard drive, 3.5" floppy drive, 56X CDROM drive. Comes with WIN
XP Home, 17" monitor, speakers, surge protector and an HP Deskjet 845C
printer. Asking $300. Call Jack Drost at 880-2644 or email at JDinHSV@aol.com.
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 that the leader has not experienced before, may fit any
class above.
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
725-2168
Outings-Lee Hollingsworth
461-3060
Publicity-Liz
Poleretzky
461-5819
Political-John
Allen
539-5287
At Large-Doug Horacek 772-6788
Secretary-Joette Carter 776-3551
Fund Raising-Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
At Large-Nancy-Dudney 882-9408
Programs-Brenda Cummings
881-7447
At Large-Rick
Riquelmy
881-0786
Saturday, April 10 Lake Guntersville Dayhike Meet 9 am at the Publix at Hampton
Cove(431) for car pooling. Plan for a 7-9 mile hike with mild elevation
changes. Hike will be moderate and last 4-6hrs. Bring H2O and Lunch. Possible
sightings of deer and eagles with beautiful spring flowers. May have optional
supper afterwards at the lodge in the park if desired. POCs are Dave Kostowny
(256-325-2296) and Bruce Martin (256-725-2168)
Tuesday Evening Hikes - Back to Monte Sano Mountain Typically, we'll hike 3+
miles or until sunset, depending on the weather and inclination of the hikers.
The State Park is now requesting a $1 donation from hikers to help with
maintenance costs.
Tuesday, April 13, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's
Parking Lot, Info Liz Poleretzky, (wk)461-5819
Saturday, April 17 Monte Sano Mountain Hike Meet at 9 am Monte Sano hikers
parking lot. Hike to Flat Rock via stone cuts. Approximately 5- 8 mile
hike, bring lunch and water. Strenuous due to elevation gain and rocky
creek. Joette 776-3551
Saturday, April 17 Earth Day - Hays Preserve Exhibits, hikes and other events,
10 am. until 4 pm. Bring your lunch. Hikes are at 10, 12, 2 and maybe 3 pm.
Soos Weber, 427-5116, weber-caudill@comcast.net
Sunday, April 18 Cane Creek Preserve Day Hike (near Tuscumbia) Joint Hike with
the Cahaba group. Easy, bring lunch and water. Meet at 8:30am at the Captain
D's in Madison. Call Brenda Cummings 881-7447.
Tuesday, April 20, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park,
Hiker's Parking Lot, Dan Scott, 650-5128
Thursday, April 22, Excom meeting. Outings meeting 5:15, Excom at 5:45. Call
Judy Jones for directions 852-6179 or jfdomina@juno.com
Saturday-Sunday, April 24th-25th, Sipsey Backpack. Moderate backpack to our
favorite campsite at Bee Branch, 16 miles over two days. Call for meeting
location and time. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net.
Saturday-Sunday, April 24th-May 2nd Natchez Trace Bicycle Trip - We'll pedal
the 440-mile trek from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS, 55-80 miles per day, rated
strenuous. Sag wagon assisted trip will provide you with campgrounds,
most meals and snacks and transport to and from the Trace. You'll need a
bicycle, camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad, eating utensils). Cost
will be divided equally with all participants and should be approximately
$125-150 each. Limited to 10 participants. Bruce Martin
256-725-2168, bruce@barbmartin.com
Tuesday, April 27, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park,
Hiker's Parking Lot, Info Nancy Dudney, 882-9408
Saturday, May 1 Studies on an Upland Hardwood Forest in Jackson County Dayhike
through a 50 acre research plot with Dr. Callie Jo Schweitzer of the USDA
Forest Service and a distinguished panel of forestry experts to study the
effects of forest thinning on plant and animal population. See article on front
page for more details. Meet at Winn Dixie parking lot (Winchester Rd) at 8:00
am. Two vans will be provided, others will have to follow in their cars. We
should be done at the site by noon. Bring water and a bag lunch if you want to
eat on site. Limited group, to register call Judy Jones 852-6179; for details
call George Brown 851-9375, email gbrown1@hiwaay.net
Sunday, May 2, 2 pm. Rainbow Mountain afternoon hike. Meet at the trail head.
Bring water and sturdy hiking boots. Doug Horacek 772-6788 for more
information.
Tuesday, May 4, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike. Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's
Parking Lot. Info Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348
Saturday, May 8 Secret Fountain Dayhike Near the Walls of Jericho. Secret
Fountain /fireplug hike. Return via off-trail hike to the place where Moses
tapped and water spewed out of a rock; then rockhop for two miles; then walk
steeply up 1100 ft. Clue: Moses looked like Carl Craig! Strenuous, leader
approval required. Call Sam Denham, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Sunday May 9 Honeysuckle Jihad
We need your participation in our army of "Bushwhackers". We'll start
our next assault Sunday May 9th at 1:00 PM. Show up at the Toll Gate Road
entrance to the railroad bed trail, bring gloves and clippers, saws or any
other implement of biomass destruction. 3 hours work with free
refreshments. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.
Tuesday, May 11, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park,
Hiker's Parking Lot. Info Bruce Martin, 256-725-216
Newsletter Labeling Wednesday, May 12th, 5:30 Barbara Martin's office downtown.
Holmes Ave at Church St. Judy Jones 852-6179 (h)
Saturday May 15 Family Farm Tour
Take a chartered bus tour to see beautiful North Alabama family farms and learn
why we need to support our family farms. Enjoy a delicious locally-grown eco
feast for lunch - and good food shopping opportunities! Cost - $10. Call Nat
Berry (in Madison) at 256-461-8107 or Peggie Griffin (in Attalla) at
256-538-3885 to register. See the article on the front page for more
information.
Saturday, May 15 Bicycle Ride - Chief Ladiga Trail / 44 miles on smooth
blacktop bike path on old railroad bed. Beautiful scenery, will take us
from Piedmont thru JSU to Anniston and back. Bike at your own pace. Meet
7:00am Hampton Cove McDonalds. Bike, helmet, and water required. After a
short morning ride we will return to our cars for lunch, then complete the
remainder of the trail. Come prepared to transport your own bike unless
you make prior arrangements with someone else. Lee Hollingsworth 520-6659
Be Punctual for Hikes!
Trip leaders are encouraged not to wait more than 10 minutes past the posted
starting time for a hike. All participants should show up on time for hikes,
with gas in your car.
Other Outings
"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."
June 5-12 Bicycle Across Magnificent Alabama, 2004. Ride the train from
Anniston to Meridian, Miss., and then bike back to Anniston over 7 days. 400
miles, 100 riders max, $225. Sam Denham, treasurer, B.A.M.A., 539-1033(h),
961-0436(w). More info and registration at www.bikebama.com