1) Our Green is Our Gold National Monument Campaign Picking Up Steam
2) Changes Needed: Anniston Star Publishes Critical ADEM Editorial Series
3) Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama Secures Another Land Donation
4) Mercedes-Benz To Bring International Environmental Event to Alabama
5) Free Auto Emissions Testing Scheduled in B'ham Metro Area
6) Former Alabamian Nominated for Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year
7) Learn Nature Photography: Attend the AWF Photography Seminar
8) National Forests Roadless Public Hearing Scheduled this Week

1. Our Green is Our Gold National Monument Campaign Picking Up Steam - A broad coalition of local Alabama environmental, business, civic and government groups are lobbying President Bill Clinton to declare portions of the Bankhead and Talledega National Forests as a "National Monument" under the 1906 Antiquities Act of 1906.

According to the proposed resolution, approximately 140,000 acres within the Bankhead and Talledega National Forests would receive the special designation. The coalition contends that "monument status" within the proposed areas will provide stronger protection for rare and endangered species, will continue to provide recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, camping and hunting, will prohibit commercial extraction of natural resources, will strengthen and protect the private property rights of adjacent land owners and will create jobs and boost tourism.

Recently, the Anniston Star and the Times Daily (Florence) newspapers have written strong editorials in favor of the proposal, while editorial page editor John Ehinger for the Huntsville Times has written about some of the troubles the Monument proposal is facing. You can read their articles by connecting to the following links:

Times Daily- "Monument to life itself"
- http://www.timesdaily.com/news/event/editorials/stories/00060901e.html

Anniston Star- "Preserving Nature: National Monument Status"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000615_1547.html

Huntsville Times - "National Forest preservationists hope to sever the Gordian Knot"
- http://www.al.com/columnists/huntsville/jehinger/06252000-e29599.html

To learn more about the proposed Monument designation and the additional protections it will provide for the Bankhead and Talledega National Forests - contact the Our Green is Our Gold Campaign at: 256-974-6166 or 205-322-3184.

2. Changes Needed: Anniston Star Publishes Critical ADEM Editorial Series - This past week (June 19-23), the Anniston Star devoted a week's worth of editorials on the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). The series was highly critical of ADEM, and the lack of support it receives from state government. The opinion pieces are thought provoking, well written and quite frankly (whether you like ADEM or not) - devastating. The following are the titles and links to the Anniston Star editorials.

"The biologist and the bureaucrat"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000619_7114.html

"The history of a mistake"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000620_6678.html

"ADEM's malaise"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000621_5057.html

"ADEM and the gold mine"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000622_7177.html

"ADEM: All you need to know is in the name"
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000623_0222.html

The entire series can also be found at:
- http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/opinion_20000625_9196.html

3. Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama Secures Another Land Donation - It has been a good summer for the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama. Wrapping up their Madison Campaign, the Land Trust announced last week the donation of 50 acres on Wade Mountain from Graham and Corrine Shovelton of Huntsville. Along with the donation, the Land Trust will purchase an additional 80 adjoining acres from the Shoveltons, bringing the Land Trust's total holdings on Wade Mountain to 550 acres. The purchase was made possible by the Land Trust Board, the city of Huntsville and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

For more information about the Madison Campaign (which is ending July 1st) and the Land Trust call 256-534-5263, or visit their website at: http://www.landtrust-hsv.org

4. Mercedes-Benz To Bring International Environmental Event to Alabama - "Tag Der Umwelt" - "also known as Environmental Day" - is coming to Tuscaloosa County. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. in Tuscaloosa has been selected to host DaimlerChrysler Environmental Day - an international environmental event never before held in the U.S.

The Mercedes-Benz Drive for Excellence, an annual community event to raise money for local charities, will serve as a backdrop for DaimlerChrysler Environmental Day. The Environmental Day weekend will commence on the evening of Friday, October 6th with a black tie gala, an internationally recognized celebrity and a silent auction. Several environmental charities will be honored and funded at the event.

On Saturday, October 7th, one of the highlights of the day will be an architectually striking "Environmental Mile" that will focus on Mercedes environmental commitment. The site will also have an interactive "Marketplace" with informative environmental exhibits, family oriented activities, games for children and fishing rodeo. Other events planned for the day include: a 5K run and one-mile fun run, national musical acts, seminars by Tread Lightly, a national organization that offers eco-friendly instruction, state of the art fuel - efficient alternative vehicles and ecological trails, tours and exhibits.

This international event will highlight on a global stage, Alabama's natural heritage and environment. For more information about this upcoming event and Mercedes commitment to the environment, visit their website at: http://www.mbusi.com

5. Free Auto Emissions Testing Scheduled in B'ham Metro Area - The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Alabama Partners for Clean Air, is holding vehicle emissions testing events throughout the summer. This is a great way to test your car (it only takes 2 minutes) and learn how you can reduce ozone air pollution over the summer months. Here are four of the scheduled events in June and July. The testing begins at 9am. and ends at 6pm.

June 29th - Eastwood Amoco at 1560 Montclair Road
July 13th - Ali's Amoco at 1324 Bessemer Road
July 18th - P&P Foodmart/BP at 736 Academy Drive in Bessemer
July 29th -Pelham Amoco at 2260 Pelham Pkwy. off 119 and 31

Kudos to BPAmoco for providing the testing sites at their service stations.

6. Former Alabamian Nominated for Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year - Despite leaving Alabama several years ago, longtime environmentalist Mike Leonard's heart has always been in Alabama. Through his position with the Conservation Fund, Leonard has been instrumental in connecting the Pinhoti Trail to the majestic Appalachian Trail. In the 80's, Leonard was a leader in the Alabama Conservancy and led the fight to create the Cheaha Wilderness.

In honor of Mike Leonard's achievements, he has been chosen as one of four nominees for the Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year. The winner of the award will receive $50,000 to distribute to environmental groups. Check out the Budweiser environmental website and cast your vote for Mike Leonard to become Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year. You can vote by visiting the site at: http://www.budweiser.com/sports/vote.html

7. Learn Nature Photography: Attend the AWF Photography Seminar - Want to learn more about wildlife photography? Join the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Photography Seminar on July 15th, 8am to 4pm, at the Birmingham Zoo. The seminar will be taught by award-winning and professional wildlife and outdoor photographer Paul Brown. The class cost $40.00 which includes 1 roll of 35 mm film, processing of the film, lunch, zoo entry and refreshments. Please register soon by calling AWF at 205-941-1768 or 334-832-9453.

8. National Forests Roadless Public Hearing Scheduled this Week - If you care about protecting and preserving National Forest "roadless areas" in Alabama and throughout the country, the Forest Service wants to hear from you. There will be a public hearing on the President's roadless initiative Wednesday, June 28th, 6:00, in Birmingham, at the Holiday Inn on Oxmoor Road. This is a very important public hearing. For more information about the meeting, contact Ken Wills at the Alabama Environmental Council - 205-322-3184. For info about the proposed roadless plan visit the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition's website at: http:/www.safc.org