North Alabama Sierra Club November 2011 Newsletter
The Huntsville Wildflower Society
Spotted Mandarin, Nashville Breadroot, Tennessee Milk Vetch, Glade Quillwort, Sharp-Lobed Hepatica. Do you know what these are? Better yet, would you recognize them if you saw them? Ask a member of the Huntsville Wildflower Society and you will find out all about these wildflowers and maybe even get to join a hike to see local specimens. The local chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society meets regularly throughout the year and members lead hikes to find specimens of the many wildflower varieties that grow in North Alabama.
On Thursday evening, November 17 at 6:30pm, a representative from the Wildflower Society will speak about the organization and their activities and show us pictures of wildflowers from the area. If you want to learn more about identifying wildflowers on your hikes, don’t miss this presentation.
Find out more about the Huntsville Wildflower Society at http://huntsville.org.alwildflowers.org/
The North Alabama Sierra Club meets at 6:30pm the third Thursday of every month at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library in the main auditorium. The library is in downtown Huntsville on Monroe St. just off Governor’s Drive. Everyone is invited to attend.
- The Editor
Time for New Excom Members
Have you been on many Sierra Club hikes this year, attended some Thursday night meetings or come to one of the picnics? If so, have you stopped to think about who makes all of this happen? Take a look at the list of Excom (executive committee) members just above the outings. The local Sierra Club is an all-volunteer group and it takes a lot of people to keep all of these activities going for you. And we could use your help. Every year Excom members roll off and new members take their place. There is probably something you could do. If you would like to give back, take a look at the list of officers and consider running for a position on the committee. It does not require a lot of time and the work is not difficult.
Please think about it, and if you would like to volunteer your time and run for an Excom position (we don’t get a lot of volunteers so you are virtually guaranteed to win), please contact Mirko Rakigjija at 256-772-8548 or mrakigjija@hotmail.com. We will publish the ballot in next month’s newsletter and the voting will run until the holiday party.
Thanks.
- The Editor
Holiday Gathering December 15
Yes, it is almost that time again! The North Alabama Sierra Club will have its annual Holiday Gathering at the Huntsville Main Library auditorium Thursday, December 15, from 6:30 until 8:00pm.
This year we are adding a Swap Meet for members to trade or buy and sell outdoor gear. So collect your old and unused gear and throw it in a pile. Then bring it to the Holiday Dinner on December 15. Members can sell, trade, or give away gear during the holiday festivities. Contact Michael if you have any questions at athikerstew@yahoo.com.
We will also have the photo contest so start sorting through your best outdoor photos now.
There will be more details about the party in the next newsletter and who you can contact to help.
- Sandy
ADEM Cuts Funding for Water Watch Program
In spite of a
three-month campaign to convince ADEM that the funding for Alabama Water Watch
should be continued, the AWW Program at Auburn University will
not be receiving a 319 grant from ADEM this year. Cuts to ADEM from both the
Alabama Legislature and the EPA have caused them to cut their core 319 program
projects. This grant has been the primary funding for AWW since it began,
and it represents about 25% of total funding for AWW and all related programs -
watershed projects, international work, etc.
Alabama Water Watch is a citizen volunteer, water quality monitoring program covering all of the major river basins in Alabama. The program trains volunteers to use standardized equipment and techniques to gather credible water information using quality assurance protocols, and to use that data for environmental education, waterbody restoration and protection, and watershed stewardship. Volunteers may participate in AWW by becoming certified and regularly monitoring their waterbodies. They may also identify problems by analyzing data and taking action steps to resolve water quality problems.
For more information about Alabama Water Watch and how you can help by volunteering or becoming a member, please visit the web site atwww.alabamawaterwatch.org There is information on how you can help financially and by attending a workshop to become a certified volunteer.
- Bill Deutsch
Interest in New Rails-to-Trails Corridor
There is some interest in the possibility of establishing a multi-access non-paved Rails-to-Trails corridor between the following locations in northeast Madison county:
Start: 741 Naugher Road, Huntsville
End: 858 Colman RD, Huntsville, or to extend all the way into New Market.
A map is being drawn up to help highlight the location.
Right now there is a railroad easement where the track
has already been removed, but the easement remains. This would be a great
location for a trail which would end near Sharon
Johnston Parknear New Market and it could eventually run all the
way to New Market (7 miles). There would be readily available parking along the
trail, particularly at Sharon Johnston.
If anyone is interested in helping to analyze and
possibly help pursue this project, any feedback and advice are welcome,
especially from like minded organizations looking to preserve beautiful hiking
land in Alabama. For more information or to get involved, please contact
Jason Rupert at 256-479-5034 or jasonkrupert@gmail.com
For anyone who is interested, here are some GPS points
along the possible trail:
+34° 48' 31.00", -86° 30' 0.00"
+34° 48' 49.4", -86° 29' 30.10"
+34° 49' 9.8", -86° 28' 55.3"
+34° 49' 27.9", -86° 28' 25.7"
+34° 49' 52.6", -86° 27' 47"
+34° 50' 35.9", -86° 27' 25.1"
+34° 50' 59.6", -86° 27' 16.8"
+34° 51' 28.7", -86° 27' 7.0"
+34° 51' 39.3", -86° 27' 3.4"
+34° 53' 2.1", -86° 26' 34.4"
+34° 53' 49.4", -86° 26' 21.4"
2011 ExCom Members
Chair Sandy Kiplinger sandykip@juno.com
Vice Chair Carolyn Brooks 852-0973
Secretary Linda Griffin 772-8653
Treasurer Charlie Cohen 837-3622
Conservation Doug Horacek 772-6788
Environmental Education Charlotte Buening 772-7348
Membership Dave Kostowny 682-1233
Outings & Tues Hikes Michael Stewart 656-5836
Political chair Joe Imhof 858-3626
Programs Steve Jackson 337-9702
Publicity Troy Fuqua 658-5717
Chapter Delegate Mirko Rakigjija 772-8548
Newsletter Jack Drost drostj@bellsouth.net
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990
Hike Ratings
General Note: Saturday outings may take all day and last into early evening. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling to save fuel, but please be prepared to drive your own car on club outings.
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 - Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.
Exploratory - any event where the leader has not experienced the event, may fit any class above.
Note. Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver.
Saturday, November 12 – Monte Sano Day Hike. Easy.
Join Doug as we take in the scenery at Stone Cuts and Logan's point. We’ll stop at the “three benches” for some lunch. Meet at Monte Sano State Park Hikers parking lot at 8:00am. Call Doug Horacek at 256-772-6788 for more information.
Tuesday, November 15 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Carolyn Brooks at 256-852-0973.
Sat-Sun, November 19-20 – Cane Creek Canyon Backpack. Strenuous.
The hike to camp is approximately 1 mile, but after setting up camp we’ll head out to explore this beautiful nature preserve. Group size is limited so please contact Michael Stewart for more information at 256-656-5836 or athikerstew@yahoo.com
Tuesday, November 22 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Ken Shrider at 256-772-9442.
Saturday, November 26 - Burning the Carbs at Monte Sano State Park. Moderately-Strenuous.
Hike is approximately 10 miles. Get out and enjoy the trails of Monte Sano after a day of feasting followed by another of leftovers and shopping madness. We'll leave the State Park's Hiker's parking lot at 8:30am. Bring a few bucks for the entrance fee, snacks, water, lunch, bug spray and good hiking shoes. For additional information, contact Sandy at sandykip@juno.com.
Tuesday, November 29 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions please contact Troy Fuqua at 256-658-5717.
Saturday, December 3 – Fagan Spring Day Hike. Easy.
Join Doug for this enjoyable 3-4 mile hike to Fagan Spring. Meet at Cleermont Wild Flower trailhead at 10:00am. Call Doug Horacek at 256-772-6788 for more information.
Tuesday, December 6 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Judy Burley at jcburley@bellsouth.net
Tuesday, December 13 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Alan Greene at 256-881-1290.
Friday, December 16 - Walking Tour of Old Decatur Christmas Lights. Easy.
Meet at 5:00pm at Captain D's in Madison on Hwy 20, or 5:30pm at the Decatur Public Library. Dinner at a trendy Decatur restaurant afterwards. Please call so I can make reservations at the restaurant. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Tuesday, December 20 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Steve Jackson at 256-337-9702.
Tuesday, December 27 - Tuesday Evening Hike. Easy.
Walks start at 6pm and depart from the Land Trust parking lot located at 907 Franklin Street. All dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and while on the streets. Although not strenuous, all hikes may be vigorous. For directions or questions contact Michael Stewart at 256-656-5836.
Sunday, January 1 - Get Rid of the Hangover hike. Easy.
Meet at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr., at 1:00pm for an afternoon hike in Monte Sano State Park. May include some off-trail hiking and a brief rock hop. Hot cider and more by the fireplace after the hike. For more information please contact Sam at (256)539-1033.
Saturday, January 7 - Little River Canyon Rock Hop/Hike. Strenuous.
Hike the section between the Powell Trail and Eberhard Point, a perennial favorite. Even though this is the easiest section of Little River Canyon, it is rated strenuous because of some bush whacking and rock hopping, and one creek crossing. Meet at the Publix in Hampton Cove at 8:30am. Rain date is Sunday, Jan.8. For more information please contact Sam Denham (256)539-1033(h), (256)961-0436(w).