1) Presidential Websites on George W's, Al's and Ralph's Green Positions
2) ALALEAV's Alabama Judicial Endorsements
3) Sen. Jeff Sessions Helps Secure $20 Million in Coastal Enviro. Assistance
4) Alabama to Receive $3.5 Million For LWCF
5) Groups Petition to List Cerulean Warbler as Threatened Species In Alabama
6) BEN Notes: Job Openings at Alabama Rivers Alliance and Nature Conservancy, Let's Try This Again: Southern Rivers Portfolio Available Online, "Lost World In Alabama Rocks" A Great New Alabama Book, AEC Recycling Center News, Nature Center Open House in Mobile, BEN Fundraising Update

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"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hand."
Psalm 19:1

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."
1 Cor. 10:24

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1. Presidential Websites on George W's, Al's and Ralph's Green Positions - What is George W. Bush's position on the environment? Who has endorsed Al Gore? How "green" is Ralph Nader?

With the election only days away, BEN has compiled a list of websites to help voters who care about the environment choose their candidate for President. We have also included website links from the League of Conservation Voters and Republicans for Environmental Protection.

There is an old saying at the start of every baseball season, "Everyone starts in first place." Despite what the polls and pundits say about Alabama, don't think for a minute your vote doesn't count. Last time I checked, the election was decided by people who vote on November 7th, not opinion polls. Check out the following websites - and please vote!

http://www.georgewbush.com/issues/environment.html - George W. Bush
http://www.algore.com/environment/ - Al Gore
http://www.votenader.org - Ralph Nader

http://rep.org - Republicans for Environmental Protection "The Words and Deeds of George W. Bush" Green Elephant newsletter, Fall 2000
http://www.lcv.org/campaigns/endorsements - League of Conservation Voters

2. AlaLEAVs Alabama Judicial Endorsements - The Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (AlaLEAVs), the political arm for Alabama's environmental community, has announced its "Green Gavel Endorsements" in
races for Alabama Supreme Court and Court of Civil Appeals. This week, AlaLEAVs mailed out more than 12,000 flyers containing the "Green Gavel endorsements" to environmental activists throughout Alabama. AlaLeavs endorsed the following candidates.

Chief Justice - Judge Sharon Yates
Supreme Court Place 1 - Justice Ralph Cook
Supreme Court Place 3 - Justice John England
Supreme Court Place 4 - Judge Joel Laird
Civil Appeals Place 1 - Judge Roger Monroe
Civil Appeals Place 2 - Henry Steagall III
Civil Appeals Place 3 - Judge Gene Reese

Since its inception, AlaLeavs has made endorsements and contributions to both Republican and Democratic candidates. AlaLeavs endorsed two Republicans and three Democrats in June's primary elections. For more information about the
"Green Gavel Endorsements" contact Jeff Martin and Joe Turnham at 334-834-2956.

3. Sen. Jeff Sessions Helps Secure $20 Million in Coastal Enviro. Assistance - Even though the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) failed to pass the U.S. Senate this year, more than $20 million has been allocated for coastal conservation and wildlife restoration under a Fiscal 2001 spending bill that has been sent to the White House according to Senator Jeff Sessions.

Sen. Sessions, who was a strong advocate for CARA, stated in a recent press release his disappointment that CARA did not pass this session. Despite the bill's failure, Sessions was glad to see Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska come through with his promise to Sessions to appropriate $20 million for coastal impact assistance.

"This $20 million in coastal impact assistance can go a long way towards meeting our environmental and conservation goals such as the preservation of the Mobile Bay Estuary, pollution reduction along our waterways and the protection of the oyster beds and fisheries just off our coast." stated Sessions.

Conservation Commissioner Riley Boykin Smith said the monies might be used to purchase environmentally sensitive lands around Weeks Bay in Baldwin County, add state land to the Mobile Tensaw Delta, improve public access to the Causeway and to the Delta, including the establishment of a Delta canoe trail, an idea favored by Governor Don Siegelman.

4. Alabama to Receive $3.5 Million for LWCF - Along with the $20 million in coastal assistance, the state of Alabama will be receiving approximately $3.5 million for Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) projects in Fiscal year
2001. The bulk of the appropriation ($2.15 million) is going to fund projects at the Bon Secour ($1 million) National Wildlife Refuge and Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge (1.15 million).

Under the Interior Appropriations bill, Alabama will also be allocated approximately $1.4 million for state recreation and land acquisition projects. These projects must receive a match, and are available on a competitive basis to state, city and county governments.

5. Groups Petition to List Cerulean Warbler as Threatened Species In Alabama - This week a coalition of 28 environmental and conservation groups submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking that the cerulean
warbler be added to the nation's list of threatened species.

Scientific evidence suggests the bird's population has declined by 70% across the United States in the last three decades, and by an additional 10% in the Southeast. Logging and road building within forests, in Alabama and in the bird's winter home of South America are blamed for the decline.

Groups backing the songbird's listing are the National Audubon Society, Southern Environmental Law Center and Wild Alabama.

6. BEN Notes: Job Openings at Alabama Rivers Alliance and Nature Conservancy, Let's Try This Again: Southern Rivers Portfolio Available Online, "Lost World In Alabama Rocks" A Great New Alabama Book, AEC Recycling Center News, BEN Fundraising Update

Job Openings at Alabama Rivers Alliance and Nature Conservancy - Here are two great environmental employment opportunities in Birmingham and North Alabama.

Alabama Rivers Alliance (ARA) Programs Assistant Internship - ARA is seeking an intern to assist the staff in a variety of program-related and administrative tasks. The internship is six months in duration. To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and three references to: Alabama Rivers Alliance, The Bradford Building, 2027 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, Fax -205-322-6397 or e-mail bmclane@alabamarivers.org

The Nature Conservancy of Alabama (TNC) Land Protection Specialist - TNC seeks a personable, innovative and strategic thinker to fill their North Alabama Land Protection Specialist (LPS) position. The LPS is responsible for activities surrounding the Conservancy's land protection efforts, including contact, negotiations for land acquisition and other protection efforts. Send resumes to : Human Resources, The Nature Conservancy, 2821 C Pepper Place, 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233 - 205-251-1155.

Let's Try This Again: Southern Rivers Portfolio Available Online - Last week, I was told the links I provided for Beth Maynor Young's "In the Presence of Light: A Portfolio of Southern Rivers" did not work. Let's try it again! You can preview the prints by logging on to :

http://www.cahabariverpublishing.com/portfolio/portfolio_poster2.html
http://www.cahabariverpublishing.com/portfolio/portfolio_poster2.5.html

Remember, a portion of the proceeds benefit river conservation in the South. This is a beautiful gift that will last a lifetime. When you order, please tell them BEN sent you.

"Lost World In Alabama Rocks" A Great New Alabama Book - Please check out this new book coming from the Alabama Geological Society, written by Jim Lacefield, titled "Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks: A Guide to the State's Ancient Life and Landscapes." Geared toward students and the general public, "Lost Worlds" contains 133 pages and 300 color photos and graphics. It is a wonderful book and keepsake.

To order a book send $25 to the Alabama Geological Society, P.O. Box 866184, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35486.

AEC Recycling Center News - The Alabama Environmental Council's downtown Birmingham recycling center (Alabama's first comprehensive center) is making a comeback! Help support the center by attending the following events in
November.

Clean Up Day - On Saturday, November 4th between 9:00 am. and 1:00 pm., bring rakes, brooms , gloves trash bags and tools to 2431 2nd Ave. North. and help clean up the recycling center. Please let the AEC know you are coming by calling them at 205-322-3126.

Fundraiser at Zydeco's - On November 21st join the band Tonal Vision, while they raise money to restore the recycling center. Live music begins at 6:30 until close. For additional details call the AEC at 205-322-3126.

BEN Fundraising Update - Don't forget! In lieu of BEN subscriptions, we are asking BEN Readers to contribute to the following three groups.

Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35254
205-226-4934

* Proceeds go toward operation of the SEC's Ecoscape and Interactive Museum. Last year, more than 20,000 children visited the SEC. Make checks payable to the Southern Environmental Center

Camp McDowell Episcopal Church Camp (Pat Byington Scholarship)
105 DeLong Road
Nauvoo, Alabama 35578
205-387-1806

* The Pat Byington Environmental Scholarship Fund at Camp McDowell was created by the Alabama Environmental Council honoring my 8 years of service as the organization's Executive Director. Proceeds help children from low-income families attend Camp McDowell's environmental camps. Make checks payable to Camp McDowell (note the scholarship fund on the check)

American Lung Association of Alabama
900 18th Street South
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
205-933-8821

* Proceeds to the ALAA will go toward their statewide asthma screening program. The ALAA will screen more than 60,000 Alabama children for asthma during the next three years. Contribution to ALAA will also be matched by a local foundation. Make checks payable to the American Lung Association of Alabama.

Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists. If you have any questions or comments about this publication, contact Pat Byington, the author and publisher of BEN at 205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com To receive back issues of BEN, please go to our website at: http://www.BamaNews.com