July 1, 2004
#227
1) Diverse Huntsville Coalition Supports Forever Wild Project
2) After 27 Years Project R.O.S.E. to Cease Operations
3) 112 Homes In Birmingham Safe From Lead
4) Birmingham Audubon Grants and Scholarships
5) BEN Notes: Community Foundation of Greater B'ham Enviro Grants, Alabama Non-Game Wildlife Books Available, Camp McDowell Nature Education Positions, ADEM Accepting Applications for 2004 Pollution Prevention Awards
1. Diverse Huntsville Coalition Supports Forever Wild Project - Last week, the Forever Wild Board ordered an appraisal of a 350 acre tract on the north end of Green Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama. If Forever Wild buys the property it would be combined with the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's Green Mountain Preserve, creating a 600 acre old growth forest in a region that is being rapidly developed.
Supporting the purchase of the Green Mountain tract at the meeting, was a diverse public/private partnership that included the City of Huntsville which pledged $100,000 toward the purchase, the Madison County Commission which promised $30,000, and the Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama who will be providing $25,000 and a volunteer network to maintain the property. Even the local Sierra Club will be "chipping in" $1,000.
Supporters of the land purchase hope the Forever Wild Board will purchase the property in the fall. For more information about this exciting opportunity in North Alabama, contact the Land Trust at 256-534-5263.
2. After 27 Years Project R.O.S.E. to Cease Operations - Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy) will be closing its doors on September 30th.
A casualty of the state's financial shortfalls, Project R.O.S.E. is the granddaddy of all do-it yourself used oil recycling programs. On average, the program collected more than 4 million gallons of motor oil a year at 600 established public collection sites. Over the life of Project R.O.S.E.'s history an estimated 80 million gallons of used oil has been diverted from Alabama's environment, groundwater, creeks, lakes, rivers and bays.
Strategic changes in direction for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Science, Technology and Energy Division was the stated reason for the cutback.
For more information about this vital program go to http://www.eng.ua.edu/~prose
3. 112 Homes In Birmingham Safe From Lead - A three year grant program shared by the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County to eliminate lead from houses, officially reduced lead hazards in 112 homes. The Housing and Urban Development grant had targeted the cleanup of 95 homes.
Jefferson County and Mobile County have the highest number of houses with lead contamination in the state, according to Susan Kelley, HUD grant manager. Kelley estimates there are 3000 houses in Jefferson County alone with peeling lead paint where young children live.
Both Birmingham and Jefferson County have monies dedicated to help fix lead contaminated homes, but only for those that are owner occupied. For lead prevention assistance call the Citizens Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention (CLEPP) at 205-780-8077.
4. Birmingham Audubon Grants and Scholarships - The Birmingham Audubon Society (BAS) has just finished its first year of offering mini-grants to local teachers for conservation education. Grants ranging from $175 to $500 were awarded for the creation of outdoor classrooms and garden habitats, for field trips and environmental outreach speakers. Some of the recipients included the North Roebuck Elementary School, Spring Valley School, Clay Elementary, the Southern Environmental Center, the Wildlife Center, Ruffner Mountain and the Birmingham Zoo. Two teachers were also awarded full scholarships to attend the nationally renowned Maine Audubon Society's Workshop for Educators.
In addition to education grants, BAS awarded through the BAS Walter Coxe Research Fund, research grants totaling $5,000 to professors from Birmingham Southern College, UAB and Auburn University.
In 2004, BAS will be offering again mini-grants, workshop scholarships and university research grants. Beginning in August, check BEN and the BAS website at http://www.birminghamaudubon.org for details.
5. BEN Notes: Community Foundation of Greater B'ham Enviro Grants, Alabama Non-Game Wildlife Books Available, Camp McDowell Nature Education Positions, ADEM Accepting Applications for 2004 Pollution Prevention Awards
Community Foundation of Greater B'ham Enviro Grants - One of the strongest supporters of environmental organizations in Alabama is the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Serving the five county area around Birmingham, the foundation has recently funded groups such as the Alabama Environmental Council, Auntie Litter and the Cahaba River Society. For information on applying for a grant or making a gift, call 205-328-8641 or go to the Community Foundation website at http://www.foundationbirmingham.org
Alabama Non-Game Wildlife Books Available - Everything you ever wanted to know about Alabama wildlife is now at your fingertips in a four volume set of books published by the University of Alabama Press.
The books, which are sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provide detailed information on selected invertebrates (freshwater mussels and snails) and all the vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) of Alabama. Ralph E. Mirarchi, who is the William R. and Fay Ireland Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Science at Auburn University served as senior editor. Books can be ordered individually or as a set by calling 773-702-7000 or visiting http://www.uapress.ua.edu
Camp McDowell Nature Education Positions - Camp McDowell is seeking enthusiastic nature educators who love children and sharing the Natural World with them. The positions runs from August 23rd to November 19th. Camp McDowell will also provide an intensive two week staff training. For more information about these positions, contact Margaret Wade at 205-387-1806.
ADEM Accepting Applications for 2004 Pollution Prevention Awards - The Alabama Department of Environmental Management is currently accepting applications for its 2004 Pollution Prevention Awards. Application packages can be obtained from the ADEM webpage at http://www.adem.state.al.us or by contacting Gavin Adams at 334-394-4353 or email mga@adem.state.al.us