1) Natural Gas Companies and Nature Conservancy Join Forces to Save Savanna
2) Alabama Wildlife Federation Named National Affiliate of the Year
3) Gov. Don Siegelman to Lead Auntie Litter's 10th Annual Earth Day Parade
4) Alabama Senate Passes Clean Indoor Air Act
5) New Environmental Justice Scorecard Available
6) BEN Notes: Job Openings, NEP Announce Public Hearings, Wehle Nature Center Schedule, Earth Day Events Reminder, "A Bird In Hand" APT Special, New Gopher Tortoise Website, Paddle Splash 2001

1. Natural Gas Companies and Nature Conservancy Join Forces to Save Savanna - According to the Mobile Register, four natural gas companies will turn over10,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and savannas to management by the Nature Conservancy, which will enrich the land for plant and animal life by using nature's tool for rebirth: fire

In what is consider the first project of its kind in the nation and one of the largest land conservation projects in Mobile County history, Shell Oil, Williams, Exxon Mobil and BPAmoco have signed a three year agreement committing 10,000 acres of pine savannas and wetlands they own or lease, to be managed by the Nature Conservancy.

The program which is called the "Grand Bay Conservation Initiative" will focus on implementing a prescribed fire management plan on acreage in South Mobile County. Biological studies have shown that fire is as natural as rain in many parts in the Southeast, and regular burning can dramatically increase the number of species of animals and plants living in the forest. Fire introduced on wet pine savannas like those in Mobile County can increase diversity after a burn, from one to two common species per square yard to dozens per square yard. Biologists describe Grand Bay savanna as the largest and least disturbed wet pine savanna in existence, stretching from Pascagoula to Mobile Bay.

For information on this historic conservation agreement contact David Ruple of the Nature Conservancy of Alabama at 334-473-4009 or their state office at 205-251-1155. You can also read about the importance of this agreement in a column written by Mobile Register Environment Editor Bill Finch. The site can be found at:
http://www.al.com/columnists/mobile/bfinch/04202001-a264803b.html

2. Alabama Wildlife Federation Named National Affiliate of the Year - Here is some fantastic news! Earlier this month, at the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) annual meeting, the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) was named "Affiliate of the Year."

As one of NWF's oldest and largest affiliates, AWF had an impressive year. In 1999-2000, AWF played a crucial role in the 50,000 acre purchase of the Mobile Delta lands for Forever Wild. The AWF also published a 600 page hardback book titled "Managing Wildlife," donating a copy to every junior high, senior, college and public library in the state of Alabama. Along with their habitat protection and education efforts, AWF has partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Alabama in forming the Alabama Black Bear Alliance (ABBA) to attempt to learn more about the health and habitat needs of black bears in Alabama.

To learn more about the "now" nationally recognized conservation efforts of AWF, contact their state office in Montgomery at 334-832-9453.

3. Gov. Don Siegelman to Lead Auntie Litter's 10th Annual Earth Day Parade - Auntie Litter will be holding her 10th Annual Earth Day Parade Celebration on April 23rd at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. Governor Don Siegelman will be participating as grand marshal for the event according to a press release sent out by parade organizers.

The event, which is one the largest Earth Day Parades in the country, expects to draw more than 2500 school children, and will include live entertainment, educational exhibits, costume contests and a litter-free picnic. The parade begins at 12 noon. For more information about the parade contact Auntie Litter (Pat Mitchell) at 205-967-4374.

4. Alabama Senate Passes Clean Indoor Air Act - In a surprising move, the Alabama State Senate passed a bill curbing smoking in public places and in work areas. The Clean Indoor Air Act which is sponsored by State Senator Vivian Figures of Mobile passed the Senate 26-0. The bill still must pass the House and be signed by the governor before taking effect.

"We all have a right to clean air. No one has a right to pollute it," stated Sen. Figures who suffers from bronchitis and asthma.

5. New Environmental Justice Scorecard Available - Environmental Defense (formerly the Environmental Defense Fund) has released a new "environmental justice scorecard" at their very popular and award winning http://www.scorecard.org website. Using the toxic release inventory (TRI) the new site makes the case that poor communities and communities of color bear more than their fair share of environmental burdens.

Please visit the site at: http://www.scorecard.org/community/ej-index.tcl

6. BEN Notes: Job Openings, NEP Announce Public Hearings, Wehle Nature Center Schedule, Earth Day Events Reminder, "A Bird In Hand" APT Special, New Gopher Tortoise Website, Paddle Splash 2001

Job Openings

Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) Seeking Executive Director - The AEC is a statewide, nonprofit environmental and advocacy organization based in Birmingham. Minimum requirements: min 5 years relevant work experience, preferred. Appreciation for the natural environment/culture/people of Alabama is preferred; strong management, leadership, communication and fundraising skills are required. Salary range $30-$40,000 annually, plus benefits. Send cover letter/resume to: Search Committee, Alabama Environmental council, 2717 7th Ave. South Suite 207, Birmingham, Alabama 35233. To receive a detailed job description email state@alenvironmentalcouncil.org The deadline is May18, 2001.

Mobile Bay Watch Seeking Administrative Assistant - Mobile Bay Watch is a nonprofit organization working to provide citizens a means to protect the beauty, health and heritage of the Mobile Area. Primary responsibilities for the administrative assistant position include general secretarial skills. Individual must have excellent communication skills, be able to work independently, and be computer literate. Salary range $18,000 to $22,000 depending on experience. Send resume to 334-476-0329 (fax) or e-mail keeper@mobilebaywatch.org.

NEP Announce Public Hearings - The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) will be holding a series of local community meetings beginning April 23rd. The NEP is seeking public comments on the draft Comprehensive Conservation and management Plan which was released in early April. In addition the NEP hopes to engage local communities on joint ventures that will lead to shared goals for environmental health. For more information contact the NEP at 334-431-6409 or visit their website at http://www.mobilebaynep.com. The schedule is as follows:

April 23, 6:30pm Bayou la Batre City Hall
April 26, 6:30pm Gulf Shores Faulkner State Community College Wadeward Campus
May 1, 7:00pm Dog River Alba Club off Dauphin Island Parkway
May 3, 6:30pm Mobile Convention Center
May 8, 6:30 Weeks Bay National Esturine Reserve Auditorium
May 10, 6:30pm Bay Minette City Hall Council Chambers
May 15, 6:30pm Prichard City Hall Council Chambers
May 17, 6:30pm Fairhope Faulkner State Community College Centennial Hall
May 22, 6:30pm Alabama Power Barry Steam Plant
May 24, 6:30pm West Mobile Environmental Studies Center
May 29, 6:30pm Chickasaw JC Davis Auditorium

Wehle Nature Center Schedule - The Wehle Nature Center, a facility of the Alabama State Lands Division in Bullock County has released its Spring and Summer calendar. Some of the upcoming events include - Trees of the Wehle Nature Center (April 21, 10:30), Bird Awareness Day (April 28, 10:30) and Carnivorous Plants of Alabama (May 12, 10:30). For information and directions to the Wehle Nature Center call 1-800-LAND-ALA.

Earth Day Events Reminder - Don't forget to attend the following Earth Day events in your local community.

April 20-21 - Earth Day at Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville - Contact Jeff Hughes at 256-512-0146.
April 22 - 11th Annual Earth Day/Bay Day Celebration at Fairhope Pier Park - Contact Alabama Environmental Council's Jubilee Chapter at 334-928-8884.
April 22 - Earth Day 2001 At UAB Mini Park in Birmingham - Contact Alabama Environmental Council - 205-322-3126.
April 22 - Earth Day at the Birmingham Zoo - 205-879-0458
April 23 - Auntie Litter's 10th Annual Earth Day Parade in Birmingham (see story #3)
April 28 - EarthFest in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama's Riverside Amphitheater - Alabama Environmental Council at 205-348-0779.
April 28 - 36th Annual Birmingham Audubon Society's Spring Bird Count - 205-879-7709.
April 28 - Plant Swap Earth Day Celebration at the Wetumpka Recycling Center - Sue Robertson -334-567-0484.
April 29 - Bay Bash IV - Mobile Bay Watch - 334-476-0328

"A Bird In Hand" APT Special - Alabama Public Television will be featuring hummingbird specialists Bob and Martha Sargent in a special called "A Bird In Hand." The feature will be shown in prime-time on April 26th, 8:00pm and April 28th at 7:00pm. The program features the Sargents and their remarkable bird banding program at Fort Morgan.

New Gopher Tortoise Website - In 1978 a group of biologists formed the Gopher Tortoise Council, a group concerned about the decline of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) a critical indicator species in South Alabama. The Council offers professional advice for management, conservation and protection of gopher tortoises. To learn more about the gopher tortoise visit the Council's website at http://www.gophertortoisecouncil.org

Paddle Splash 2001 - Join Alabama Small Boats on April 28th 10:00am to 4:00pm at Oak Mountain State Park for "Paddle Splash 2001." Come "paddle" (test) a wide variety of canoes and kayaks, attend clinics and win prizes. For more info call 205-424-3634 or visit their website at http://www.alsmallboats.com Tell them BEN sent you.

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