Dogwood Alliance Speaker at August Meeting
Bud Howell is an avid hiker of the southern Appalachians and an eco-political activist. This summer he is campaign organizer for the Dogwood Alliance, a group based in Asheville, North Carolina. The group hopes to raise public appreciation for hardwood forests native to the Cumberland Plateau. According to Howell, in 2002, the U.S. Forest Service declared that "nowhere else in the entire country is there a greater variety of native plant communities, native plant species, or rare and endemic plants." The Dogwood Alliance's major objective is to inform us of the specifics of the "Sustainable Forestry Initiative," a plan developed by the timber industry and its lobbyists. This plan, according to the Dogwood Alliance, is "destructive" and "irresponsible". For Howell, the first part of his task will be a breeze with the North Alabama Sierrans; we do appreciate our forests. The August meeting will be held at Sam Denham’s house on Monte Sano, 4333 Chickasaw Dr. Barbecue and all the fixings will be provided. Please bring a lawn chair and bug spray. Directions: From Governor's Drive, go north on Monte Sano Blvd. Turn right on Nolen, then right on Chickasaw. Sixth house on the left. Park in the street. From Five Points, go up Pratt/Bankhead Parkway. At stop sign at top of Fearn, go one more block and turn left on Nolen. Then turn right on Chickasaw. Sixth house on left. Park in street. - Brenda CummingsQuestions?
Want the newsletter by email? Email Tom at tdburley@knology.net.
Newsletter questions or comments - Email the editor at drostj@bellsouth.net
New Sierra Club Committee for National Parks
The Wild Planet Strategy Team (WPST) began seeking members for the Sierra Club's National Parks Committee (NPC). The Committee will focus on the conservation, management, and long term sustainable issues surrounding existing National Parks and Monuments, including identifying threats and proposing solutions. This may include close monitoring of the national parks Interior appropriations and budget process. The Committee will serve as a resource to Chapters and Groups in the work to protect National Parks in their areas. The National Parks Committee will coordinate with the ongoing work of other Club committees such as Wildlands Campaign, Recreation Issues Committee, Wildlife and Endangered Species Committee, Alaska Task Force and Energy . Staff liaisons will be Maribeth Oakes (Washington DC) and Vicky Hoover (San Francisco). The general areas of concern are administration of existing wilderness areas and national parks, and other special designations; preserving wildlife habitats and biodiversity; other public lands management issues, and one regarding private lands. It oversees and coordinates the work of six committees, some of which have subcommittees and task forces. For more information, see http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/go/leaders/conservation/wpst/index.asp - the Editor
Focus on Cahaba and Terrapin CreekThe Upper Cahaba River and Terrapin Creek are receiving national attention today with the release of America’s Great Outdoors, Sierra Club’s new report outlining a vision for protecting our natural heritage. The places profiled in the report were chosen by citizen conservationists in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for the unparalleled recreational opportunities, clean water, and wildlife habitat they provide. The full report is at http://ww.sierraclub.org/greatoutdoors. Featured in the report is the success of Northeast Alabama citizens in protecting Terrapin Creek from a proposed gold mining operation, Terrapin Creek is one of the last unpolluted creeks left in the entire state of Alabama. For generations, Alabama families have fished, canoed, and swam in its pristine waters. The creeks watershed spans 400 square miles, providing a source of clean drinking water for Northeast Alabama communities and habitat for fish and wildlife. The Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club joined forces with Friends of Terrapin Creek, other local conservation groups and citizen’s to oppose the gold mine. “For the past eight years we’ve been successful in stopping this threat to the community’s water and health, commented Michael Smith, founder of Friends of Terrapin Creek. Also featured in the report is the effort to protect the Upper Cahaba River from population pressures and suburban sprawl. As Alabama’s longest free-flowing river, the 100-mile Upper Cahaba River provides metropolitan Birmingham and surrounding areas with places to play and water to drink. “All across America, communities are uniting to protect these neighborhood special places where they camp, hunt, hike, fish, and find solace and solitude,” said Paul Perret of Birmingham and Chair of the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club. “America’s Great Outdoors outlines ways we can work together to make our neighborhoods safe and healthy places to live and highlights those natural treasures that can still be saved if we can summon the foresight to act now.” “We are fast approaching the point, where no place is sacred, where no part of America is safe from drilling, logging, or development,” said Michael Smith of Piedmont. “Here in Alabama and across the country, Sierra Club is working with others to save open spaces, leave trees standing, and protect communities.” - Cleburne News, Thursday, July 7, 2005
New Members Wanted!
The new member contest is still under way! Remember, the club member who signs up the most new recruits will receive a cash prize of $100.00. The period of the contest is from June 1, 2005 thru June 1, 2006. The membership coordinator will be keeping statistics on this contest and all new checks ($25.00) must be mailed to him. Send all checks for this contest to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle, Madison, AL 35758.
Phone: 325-2296.
E-mail: divadlk@msn.com
Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25
Name______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City/State____________________________Zip____________
Phone___________________Email______________________
Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your chapter newsletter.
Enclose check and mail to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle
Madison, AL 35758.
2005 ExCom Members
Chair Judy Jones 852-6179
Vice Ch/Treas. Sam Denham 539-1033
Web Page Steven Baty
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
North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar
General Meeting and BBQ Dinner
Thursday, August 18, 5:30pm. Sam Denham’s house – Monte Sano. Bring lawn chair and bug spray. Dinner and drinks will be provided. Speaker from the Dogwood Alliance. See front page for details.
Hike Ratings Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate-5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes 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.
Tuesday, Aug 16, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Leader: Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.
Thurs-Sunday, August 18-21, Appalachian Trail Backpack. Strenuous. Standing Indian Loop, 27 miles. Trailhead Standing Indian campground, Franklin NC. Climb Standing Indian Mountain, Albert Mountain, circling the Nantahala Basin. Self sufficient backpacking gear required. For info- Lee Hollingsworth, 461-3060 or 520-6659.
Saturday, Aug 20, Pinhoti Trail Construction. Help build the trail that will eventually connect Alabama's Blue Ridge Mountains to the AT in Georgia. Bring loppers, lunch, water, and work gloves. Other tools provided. Free early supper afterwards for everyone who shows up! Meet at Publix in Hampton Cove at 7:00am. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w). Tuesday, Aug 23, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Leader: Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.
Excom meeting Thursday Aug 25th, Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45. Info Sam Denham, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Sunday, Aug 28, County Bike Ride. Easy. Sunday morning bicycle ride from Greenbriar restaurant down paved back roads to Calhoun Community College on Highway 31. We'll get a Hardees breakfast there and ride back. About 20 miles. Call Brenda Cummings @ 881-7447.
Tuesday, Aug 30, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Leader: Liz Poleretzky, (wk) 461-5819.
Saturday, Sept 3, Little River Canyon Rockhop/Swim/Dayhike. Strenuous. This time we will do the section between Upper Two-Mile put-in and the Hwy 35 bridge. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, hat and be ready to get wet. See the famous spot where the helicopter rescued Carl Craig! Meet at Garden Cove downtown 8:00am. Sam Denham 539-1033(h) 961-0436(w).
Monday, Sept 5, Labor Day. Tennessee Lake Party 11:00 am until. Bring picnic lunch/supper (gas grill and bonfire provided). 5 mile hike around 2 pm (easy); afterward swimming, kayaking, paddle boating. Directions: Memorial Pkwy north to Winchester Rd to Tennessee. Continue to Huntland, TN and take a left when road deadends. Go about 2 miles and turn right onto Hwy 64. Go to Winchester, TN and turn right onto Hwy 16 south (just after you go under an overpass). Continue about 10 miles and turn left to Jehovah Jireh Lane (between mile markers 22 and 23). Follow gravel drive to lake. Info: Joette 776 -3551 before Friday, Sept 2nd. OR longer, straighter way. Go Hwy 72 toward Scottsboro, turn left onto Hwy 35 near Woodville. Continue to 4 way stop at intersection of Hwy 35 and 79, turn left (north) onto Hwy 79 and follow about 25 miles to TN state line. Continue on Hwy 16 about 8 miles to mile marker 23 and take a right onto Jehovah Jireh lane and follow to lake.
Tuesday, Sept 6, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Leader: Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.
Tuesday, Sept 13, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Bring $1for Trail Fee. Leader: Judy Burley, 883-4267.
Fri-Sunday, September 16-18, Fall Creek Falls Backpack. Strenuous. Traversing the Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau this 26 mile three day backpack explores a remote area of the park. We will pass through upland forests over three suspension bridges and descend into the depths of Cane Creek Gorge past Piney Creek Falls, an 85 foot cascade. We will depart at 8:00am Friday and stop for breakfast along the way. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net
Saturday, Sept 17. Flint River Canoe\ Cleanup. Easy. The Sierra Club is joining the Flint River Conservation Association in a cleanup/canoe trip on the Flint River as part of national Public Lands Day 2005. Bring your own canoe, or rent one for $5 per person. (Sierra Club will pay the fee for you, but you must call by Sept 12.) Bring gloves, hat, sunscreen, water, and snack. Expect to spend 3-4 hours on the river. Meeting place, call Sam Denham 539-1033(h) 961-0436(w).
Saturday, Sept 17, Wade Mountain Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Jade Palace at 6:30pm for dinner. Meet at 8:00pm at Wade Mountain Trail Head for full moon walk. Hike will be canceled if overcast. Will walk around the Race Track and back. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for more information.
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, 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.
Fri-Sun, Sept 30-Oct 2, Outings Leader Training Workshop. The Group Lodge at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN. Opening program on Friday at 7:30pm sharp. Check-in & dinner 6:0 pm. Workshop ends with lunch on Sunday at 1:15 pm. $45 Includes meals (Fri. dinner-Sun. lunch) & bunk-style lodging. REGISTRATION - To register, learn more about the workshop, and check for available space, go http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/training or call 415-977-5711. Never Stop Training!!
Saturday, October 8th, Madison County Heritage Festival. 10am to 4pm at the Hays Nature Preserve. Call Soos Weber at 427-5116 or look on the website www.hsvcity.com and find Hays Preserve under Tourist Info.