September 28, 1999
1) Gov. Siegelman Endorses Land Water Conservation Fund
2) LWCF - How It Has Touched the Lives Of All Alabamians
3) Nature Conservancy/Forever Wild Praised By the B'ham News
4) Jefferson County: Winning the War Against Dumps
5) Drought and Wildfires: A Danger to North Alabama Forests
6) Enviro. Tidbits: Legacy Director Leaving/New Position Open,
Fort Morgan Bird Banding Program, AWF's Wild Game Cook-Off
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"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." - Shakespeare
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1) Governor Siegelman Endorses Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) - Joining governors nationwide, Governor Don Siegelman signed on to a letter to congressional leaders calling for full and permanent funding of the Land Water and Conservation Fund (LWCF).
In the letter, 40 governors signed the document recognizing that - "Congress has an historic opportunity to end this century with a major commitment to natural resource conservation that will benefit future generations."
2) LWCF: How It Has Touched the Lives Of All Alabamians - Imagine an Alabama without the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Joe Wheeler State Park, or hundreds of small parks, open spaces and recreational areas. Since 1965, LWCF has helped create these special places and opportunities with very little fanfare.
Growing up in Florence, Alabama I always took for granted McFarland Bottoms, the city park that nestled up against the Tennessee River and existed under the shadow of O'Neal Bridge (the bridge that links Florence and Sheffield). Created 30 years ago with LWCF funds McFarland Park not only became the place where I played soccer, but it was also the only area where the public could have access to the mighty Tennessee River. Unless you knew someone who lived on the area's various sloughs and lakes, McFarland was the only public place where people from all walks of life could touch and feel the river. That is how I was introduced to the river.
LWCF is an American and Alabama success story that has quietly touched the lives of most Alabamians in some form or fashion. Check out the following website http://www.ahrinfo.org (Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation) and on the front page of the site you can find out how to search for the local LWCF park in your community. You will be truly astonished at the number of projects, parks and recreational areas LWCF has made possible in your neighborhood. After learning more about LWCF and the positive impact it has made on your life, check out the rest of the site and become active in pushing Congress to fully and permanently fund this very important law and commitment to our nation's natural resources. - PB. (Editor's note: For more info contact me at pkbyington@aol.com)
3. Nature Conservancy/Forever Wild Praised By the B'ham News - In the Birmingham News' Saturday September 25th edition, the paper had high praise for the Nature Conservancy and the Forever Wild Program. In the paper's editorial section both program's got a "thumbs up" from the News. Here is an excerpt from the editorial, titled "Profitable Partnership".
"The cooperation between the Nature Conservancy and the state's Forever Wild program is paying big dividends for Alabama. The Nature Conservancy of Alabama gave $1 million to Forever Wild this week to fulfill a pledge to help the state purchase 47,000 acres in the Mobile Tensaw Delta. The environmentally fragile land in North Baldwin County will now be protected from development forever, while still available for hunting and fishing.
... The real winners are future generations of Alabamians who will be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful and wild areas in the country."
4. Jefferson County: Winning the War Against Dumps - Earlier this year we reported in BEN, about a new and aggressive anti-dumping program that was launched by the Jefferson County Commission to address the hundreds of illegal dumps that littered the county. Here is a brief update.
According to Bill Peters at the County's Department of Environmental Protection, 300 cases have been made against illegal dumpers and all but 12 of the cases have resulted in the dumpers cleaning up their messes. There are currently outstanding warrants on a few individuals the County has been unable to locate. Of the five largest dumpsites in the county, four have been cleaned up through cooperation with the property owners, and access to the sites have been barricaded to prevent further dumping. Sheriff Mike Hale of Jefferson County has also committed 3 deputies to work on these environmental cases.
Jefferson County is truly dedicated to winning the battle against illegal dumps and cleaning up the environment. For information about this very successful program, contact Bill Peters at 205-325-8712 or e-mail, petersb@jcc.co.jefferson.al.us
5. Drought and Wildfires: A Danger to North Alabama Forests - Last week I received this very important message from Lou Hyman at the Alabama Forestry Commission about the drought and potential wildfires that may occur as a result. Thank you Lou for keeping us updated on this very important issue.
"Over the last two months, North Alabama has had a severe drought that has spread now to all of the state. Forest fires have increased in both number and severity. On Sept. 17, the Governor and the Forestry Commission issued a "No Outdoor Burning" order for all of North Alabama and a "Fire Alert" burning restriction for South Alabama. The National Guard has activated two helicopters to drop water on fires. Fire Fighting crews have come into Alabama from Florida, South Carolina and Arkansas. The AFC asks people to please be extremely careful during any outdoor activities this fall. For more information see the AFC web page <A http://forestry.state.al.us and click on the Fire Alert logo."
6. Enviro. Tidbits: Legacy Director Leaving/New Position Open, Fort Morgan Bird Banding Program and AWF's Wild Game Cook-Off
Legacy Director Leaving/New Position Open - Last week, with great sadness, I learned that Paige Connell, Legacy's first director will be leaving her position this month. For 5 years, Paige performed the enormous task of transforming Legacy into an effective and diverse statewide environmental education organization. She will be sorely missed, but she has left a wonderful "gift" - a "legacy" for Alabama's children.
As a result of Paige's departure Legacy will be looking for a new Executive Director. The following is the posted job announcement.
Legacy, Partners In Environmental Education, Inc., a statewide environmental education program, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Executive Director. The applicant should have an undergraduate degree and have experience in management of not for profit 501(c)(3) organizations or programs.
The successful candidate should be able to manage a very dynamic office staff and supervise multiple projects simultaneously, manage outside contracts, develop programs, plan/supervise professional conferences and work with volunteers. Excellent communication, organization and planning skills will be very important to carry out the Legacy mission of creating environmentally responsible citizens through education. Experience with education related programs/organizations is highly desirable. Travel will be required.
Qualified applicants should submit a resume to the Legacy Search Committee by October 31. All correspondence regarding the position should be mailed to the following address: LPEE, P.O. Box 361962, Hoover, AL 35236
Fort Morgan Bird Banding Program - Bob and Martha Sargent's Hummer/ Bird Study Group's fall bird banding session will be begin at the Fort Morgan Bird Banding Station on October 9th and will continue through October 23rd. The program is opened to the public and participation from children is encouraged. The group suggest that those visitors bring their best camera and plenty of film since this can be a marvelous place to see many beautiful bird species in the hand.
For additional information, contact Bob Sargent at 205-681-2888 or at HummerBSG@aol.com
AWF's Wild Game Cook-Off State Finals and Conservation Day
- The Alabama Wildlife Federation will be holding a Conservation
Day & their Wild Game Cook-Off Finals at Birmingham's Sloss
Furnaces Saturday October 2nd. Conservation booths will be up
from 3-7, followed by an evening of music, beverages and some
very good food. For more information about the Cook-off and the
Conservation Day please contact April Lupardus at 205-941-1768
or 1-800-822-9453.
Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists.
If you have any questions about BEN, contact Pat Byington at
205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com
