A Trip to the Walls of Jericho

Join us at the next Sierra Club meeting for a trip to the most recent purchase by the Forever Wild system. This beautiful gorge carved into our local geology was visited by an adventurous Sierra group this past month. Photos of spring wildflowers, budding trees, flowing water, spectacular cliffs and tired hikers will be presented for your amazement and amusement.

We’ll also delve into the formation of the site, some early and recent history and have refreshments for all attendees. The April meeting will be held downstairs in the library auditorium at 915 Monroe St.

- Bruce Martin

Legislature Decides Not to Cut Forever Wild Funding

Dozens of people showed up at a public hearing in Montgomery to oppose a bill that would take away funding from the Forever Wild land acquisition program and many more people wrote letters and called their representatives. The Senate Economic Expansion and Trade Committee did not vote after the hearing, but Chairman Pat Lindsey, D-Butler, said the bill was dead. The bill was originally sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, D-Lineville. The hope and expectation is that the bill will not be reported out of committee before the legislature adjourns.

For all those who contacted your legislators opposing the cuts to Forever Wild, thank you. This is one of those few times where our public opposition made an obvious difference. The legislators were surprised at the vocal opposition to the proposed bill. There is a chance that the bill could be resurrected, so please be prepared to make your opposition known once again. We can and do make a difference.

- the Editor

Sierra Club Elections Bring Controversy Again

National Sierra Club elections continue to be anything but dull. This year there are fifteen candidates for the board of directors and again some of them are seen as outsiders attempting to use the Sierra Club’s resources for their own causes. Three ballot measures propose altering the rules for future elections and adopting a formal policy for the Club on limiting immigration into the United States.

Members will elect five of the fifteen candidates to serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors which oversees the National Club’s staff, decides conservation priorities and sets the annual budget.

Two ballot measures propose bylaw changes which would affect future elections. One would remove the requirement providing for write-in candidates and the other would require that all candidates for the Board of Directors be an active member of the Sierra Club for at least a year before they run for the Board. The current National Board recommends voting Yes on both of these bylaw changes.

The third ballot measure proposes changing Sierra Club policy to call for lowering immigration limits into the US. The current National Board recommends voting No on this measure.

All Sierra Club members have voting privileges so Club members have a say in how the Club works, but only if the members vote. Everyone should have received a package from National by now with information about the election, the candidates and the ballot measures. Please take the time to read about each of the candidates and understand what the ballot measures mean for the future of the organization. For more information members can go to www.sierraclub.org/bod/2005election

Please vote this year!

- the Editor

Staples Launches Electronics Recycling Program

CollectiveGood today announced a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program in Staples office supply stores that makes it easy for Staples customers to recycle their used cell phones, PDAs, pagers and rechargeable batteries. Customers can recycle these devices by simply dropping them off while they shop at their local Staples store. A large portion of the proceeds generated from recycling the mobile electronics devices will be donated to the Sierra Club, America's largest grassroots environmental organization to fund environmental education and conservation programs.

"Staples is demonstrating remarkable commitment and leadership as a retailer and steward of the environment." Said Seth Heine, President of CollectiveGood "Just as noteworthy are Staples' altruism and philanthropy in their support of this program - funds generated will be substantial, and will largely be donated to Sierra Club. This program will essentially convert toxic waste that poses an environmental threat into funding for Sierra Club to pursue more environmental protection activities, a remarkable win-win situation." said Heine. CollectiveGood is a mobile electronics recycling company. For more information, go to http://www.collectivegood.com/

- From the CollectiveGood web site

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

Committee to Study Annexing State Park into City

I have been appointed by the Monte Sano Civic Association to a committee which will decide whether the Civic Association should be concerned about the proposed annexation of Monte Sano State Park into the City of Huntsville. This is, of course, a matter of boundaries, not administrative responsibilities. The State Park would remain state property and continue to be administered by the state Dept of Conservation, whether or not its boundaries are included within Huntsville. My job is to poll the local conservation community for its input/opinions. If you have any ideas, pro or con, on this issue that you think may add to the discussion, please call or email me. Thanks, Sam Denham, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w), sam.denham@mindspring.com

Consider the Green Power Option

Did you know that you have the option of purchasing electricity from Huntsville Utilities that is generated from alternatives to the coal-fired and nuclear power plants? The Tennessee Valley Authority runs a program called Green Power Switch that purchases power from individuals and groups that generate their own power and have an excess to sell. The electricity is generated using solar panels, wind turbines and methane gas. TVA buys the excess power and channels it into their grid where it can then be sold to any customer through utility companies that purchase power from the TVA.

Alternative energy sources have been talked about widely since the oil crisis of the early 1970’s, but the government and major power companies have done little to make alternative energy production viable. The Green Power Switch program taps into the grassroots efforts by individuals and private groups that are making alternative energy a reality. Some of these power sources are as small as the home owner with solar panels who generates more power than they can use to a company that is building a wind farm with 15 giant turbines to harness the winds blowing over Buffalo Mountain.

Ken Mackay, who runs Sir’s Fabrics in Fayetteville, recently decided to purchase nine blocks of green power for the fabric store. “You’ve got to start somewhere,” Mackay explains. “We have to take a chance on finding alternatives for fossil fuels. Finding alternative energy sources is part of the solution, and that’s why Sir’s Fabrics is teaming up with TVA to support the Green Power Switch program.”

To find out how you can participate in the program, call Huntsville Utilities at 535-1255. www.greenpowerswitch.org

- the Editor

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, April 21, 6:30pm. Huntsville Public Library Auditorium – Chuck Downing will share some of his wonderful nature photos with us.

Friday-Sunday, April 15-17, Springer Mountain Backpack. Moderate. 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

Tuesday, April 19, 6pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Liz Poleretzky, (wk) 461-5819.

Friday, April 22, Monte Sano Moonlight Hike. Easy. Meet at 7pm at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr SE. Rated easy, but we shall walk briskly. Bring water and candy bar. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Saturday, April 23, Fiery Gizzard Dayhike. Strenuous. This seventeen mile one-way trail features cascading streams, numerous waterfalls, panoramic overlooks, extremely rocky gorges, gentle slopes and lush woodlands. This trail is one of the most diverse and beautiful in the state. Meet at Winn Dixie on Winchester Road at 8:00 am. Bring lunch and water. Rated strenuous.

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 invited. Meet at Winn-Dixie on Winchester Road at 8:00am. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Tuesday, April 26, 6pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Judy Burley, 883-4267.

Excom meeting

Thursday April 28, Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45. Info Lee Hollingsworth, 461-3060.

April 29-May 1, Abrams 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

Saturday, April 30, Outings Leader Training in Mobile. The Sierra Club’s ongoing program of training our outings leaders is schedule for a session in Mobile this month. Any member who wishes to lead outings must attend an outings leader training session. We’ll cover the nuts and bolts of how to plan, publish and produce an event that meets the basic rules and restrictions of our national club. The class will include a three-hour Wilderness First Aid course that should prove valuable both on the trail and in everyday life. Travel on Friday evening and return late Saturday night. No charge for the class, but some out of pocket money for travel food will be required. Call Bruce Martin for more information at 256-725-2168.

Sunday, May 1, Land Trust Rock Hop. Strenuous. Get a good three-hour afternoon workout by walking down one creek bed and up another in the Land Trust Property on Monte Sano. Bring snack and water. Strenuous because of rock hopping. Meet at Land Trust Parking Lot at 2pm. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, May 3, 6pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.

Saturday, May 7, Wildflower Landtrust Dayhike. Moderate. Meet 8:30am at the Huntsville Landtrust Parking Lot. A moderate hike of about 5 mi. Please bring a snack and water. Hiking boots are recommended. Additional info. Judy Jones 256-852-6179 or jfdomina@juno.com.

Tuesday, May 10, 6pm Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info:, Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, May 11, 5:30pm. Barbara Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St. Info: Judy Jones 852-6179 (h).

Saturday, May 14, Little River Canyon Rockhop. Strenuous. Be prepared to get wet as we walk up through part of Alabama's greatest canyon. Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, and change of clothes for trip back to Huntsville. Strenuous because of rock hopping, leader approval required. Meet at 8:30am downtown at Garden Cove, corner of Pratt and Meridian. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

May 14-21, Natchez Trace Bicycle Trip. Strenuous. Join us for the annual 440-mile trek from Nashville to Natchez. Sag wagon equipped. You must have your own bicycle and camp gear. We'll travel as a group and stop every 10-15 miles for breaks and snacks. Cost is $150 per person plus pocket cash for T-shirts, laundromats, and a couple of restaurant meals. Sag, campgrounds, food and permits all included. Limited to 10 people. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Tuesday, May 17, 6pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info:.Liz Poleretzky (wk) 461-5819.

Sunday, May 22, Rainbow Mt. Dayhike. Easy. Meet at 2pm at Rainbow Mountain Trail head. Bring water, insect repellent, and sturdy hiking boots. Contact Doug Horacek 772-6788 for more information.

Monday, May 30, Memorial Day Lake Party in Tennessee 11 am until ? Bonfire, canoeing, paddle boats, swimming, hiking, and kayaking will be available. More information in the next newsletter, or call Joette 776 -3551.

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.”

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

Bicycle Across Magnificent Alabama, June 4-11. Seven days, 400 miles, 100 riders max, $250. This year we'll be cycling around Mobile Bay: Bayou La Batre, Ft Morgan, Fairhope, Pensacola, Bay Minette, and Mobile. More info and registration www.bikebama.com, Sam Denham, treasurer, B.A.M.A. 2005, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).