December 6, 2004

1. Alabama To Receive Millions In Hurricane Disaster Relief -  The state of Alabama will be receiving more than $25 million in federal aid to help restore and rehabilitate Alabama's forests and farms as a result of this Fall's hurricane damage. The funding allocations include:

$2,756,000 - The Emergency Conservation Program - This program will assist farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland after severe weather.  Activities include restoring conservation structures and fences.

$3,586,040 - Emergency Watershed Program - Provides funds for locally sponsored watershed protection projects.  Activities include assistance to restore impaired streams resulting from the hurricane, and provide sound erosion control measures.

$19,537,000 - Forest Rehabilitation - Funds will be used to remove and restore thousands of trees that have damaged trails and roads and dozens of recreation and administrative sites. The monies can also be used to restore endangered species habitat.

2. New Southeast Partnership To Protect Fish and Their Habitats - Last month, Southeast aquatic resources protection took a positive step forward with the formal establishment of the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP).  The SARP is a coalition of state, federal and other conservation agencies that are committed to working together for the benefit of the region's aquatic resources.  13 Southern state agencies, including the Alabama Department of Conservation, various regional conservation agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have agreed to work together for this common goal. Some of SARP's challenges include:

• 34% of North America's imperiled fish species and 90% of imperiled native mussels are found in the Southeast.
• 200 foreign aquatic nuisance species, such as the zebra mussel and Asian eel, have been introduced into the U.S., and about half of these in the Southeast.
• 74 of 87 watersheds nationwide considered to be "freshwater hot spots" (areas of concern) are in the Southeast, according to a 1998 Nature Conservancy report.

For more information about SARP call Kyla Hastie, USFWS at 404-679-7291.

3. Nature Conservancy of Alabama Inks Agreement With Forest Service - The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and the USDA Forest Service recently signed an agreement to work together on issues critical to Alabama's National Forests, such as acquiring additional lands, protecting rare and significant species and ecological restoration.

The Nature Conservancy has identified all of the national forests in Alabama as ecoregional portfolio sites, meaning they are priorities for conservation and crucial to protecting the state's biodiversity.  Ongoing efforts, will include expanding the use and understanding of prescribed fire; combating invasive, non-native species and reestablishing native species; increasing public support for protecting areas of high biodiversity; and supporting the restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem across Alabama.

For more information about this new partnership, contact Keith Tassin, Nature Conservancy at 205-251-1155.

4. Alabama Power Foundation Awards 73 Community Tree Grants - The Alabama Power Foundation in partnership with the Alabama Urban Forestry Association, have awarded 73 Alabama communities cash grants to purchase trees for parks, schoolyards and other open spaces.

This year, the Alabama Power Foundation's Urban and Community Tree Assistance Program  is providing $67,490 in grants to communities.  Over the past 6 years, more than $308,490 in grants have been distributed to more than 319 cities, counties, schools and community groups. 

To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation successful tree planting grant program, go to http://www.aufa.com/grants.html .

5. BEN Notes: Weeks Bay Christmas Ornament Fundraiser, "Places We Protect" TNC of Alabama Website,  Audubon "State of the Birds" Report, Alabama Hunters Feed the Hungry, Sweetwater Pecan Company

Weeks Bay Christmas Ornament Fundraiser - Here is a great Holiday gift idea.  The Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation is now selling a beautiful Christmas ornament that depicts an estuary scene on the Magnolia River with cypress trees, a three dimensional great blue heron, mailbox and a wharf with a reflecting water background.  The Magnolia River is part of the boundaries of the Weeks Bay Reserve.  It is also one of the only places in the United States where mail is delivered by water.  The cost of the ornament is $10.00.  For additional information about this gift, contact the Foundation at 251-990-5004 and check out their website at http://www.weeksbay.org

"Places We Protect" TNC of Alabama Website - Ever wanted to know about the special places that are preserved and protected by the Nature Conservancy of Alabama?  Check out their "Places We Protect" webpage: http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/alabama/preserves/index.html

Audubon "State of the Birds" Report - If you care about the health of our nation's bird populations and habitats, Audubon's recently released "The State of the Bird's" has been called one of the most important documents on birds since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. In the report  - 70% of grassland species; 36% of shrub-land bird species; 25% of forest species; 13% of wetland species and 23% of bird species in urban areas are showing statistically significant declines.  To access the report go to http://www.audubon.org/bird/stateofthebirds

Alabama Hunters Feed the Hungry - Started in 2000 as a joint project of the Governor's Office, the National Rifle Association, the Philip Morris Company and the Department of Conservation, the "Hunters Helping the Hungry" program has donated more than 217,000 pounds of ground venison to Alabama Food Banks.  If you are interested in participating in the program call 334-242-3467.

Sweetwater Pecan Company - Want some good old fashion pecans from Alabama and Georgia? Check out longtime conservationists from the Eufaula area Terry and Susan Bishop's website at http://www.sweetwaterpc.com.